I recently got a new laptop that didn't come with an operating system, and I'm really looking to switch to Linux. I plan to use this laptop mainly for gaming (mostly single-player games like Baldur's Gate and CKIII) and some occasional home office work, like handling documents. Security and privacy are also on my mind, as I'm hoping to de-google my life eventually—once I'm financially stable, I want to buy a Pixel and install GrapheneOS.
My computer skills are decent; I'm not a total newbie, but I definitely still have a lot to learn. I've been considering Linux Mint or PopOS as my starting distros, but I also wonder if something like Debian would be too complicated for me. What do you recommend?
5 Answers
I'd recommend testing things out in a VirtualBox first if you can. That way, you won't mess up your current setup. Once you're comfortable, you can go for full installation!
Definitely start with something like Linux Mint. Dive into it, learn the ropes, and then feel free to experiment with other distros later on when you feel more comfortable.
For gaming, I really like KDE desktop environments—it's customizable and looks great. As for distros, Mint, Zorin, and Pop are all excellent choices for beginners, but Mint has a special place in my heart!
I wouldn't recommend Debian just yet. It can be a bit tricky for newcomers. Stick to user-friendly distros like Mint or Fedora to ease the transition.
If you're just starting out, I'd stick with Mint or Zorin OS. They're user-friendly and won't overwhelm you. Plus, you can try both in live mode from a USB before deciding on installation. Just grab a pendrive and use something like Ventoy to keep it bootable!
I agree, Mint is a solid choice. Familiar interface and good for gaming. Just give it a try!
Yeah, trying it in a VM is a smart move! Makes the switch less scary.