Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on selecting the best Linux distribution for my computers. I have an older Lenovo Legion gaming laptop that I want to switch to Linux since it can't be upgraded to Windows 11. I use this laptop mainly for art and light gaming (mostly old DOS games while traveling) and I work with an XP-Pen for drawing. I primarily use Clip Studio Paint and VideoPad but I'm open to suggestions for alternatives. Other software I use includes Blender, GIMP, Krita, and Godot. I don't necessarily need to remove Windows, as I still have an empty SSD for it.
Additionally, I'm building a second, older PC from components I've salvaged over the years, primarily to watch movies and listen to music. I have some experience with Ubuntu from 10 years ago, so I'm somewhat familiar with Linux but would appreciate any recommendations!
5 Answers
You’ll find that most Linux distros have their strengths—Mint, Pop!_OS, Ubuntu, and Fedora all have solid features. A lot of people go through a few different distros before they find the right fit, so don't be afraid to experiment! You're bound to enjoy your journey with them.
Honestly, just throw a dart at the list of distros out there! Most of them are variations of Debian/Ubuntu or RedHat/Fedora, so you won't go too far wrong. They all have their quirks, but at the end of the day, they all serve a similar purpose.
Consider trying Kubuntu 25.10. It's quite a reliable option and really easy to set up with secure boot and NVIDIA drivers. Plus, you can add Flathub and make flatpak the default to access a wider range of applications.
If you have an NVIDIA card, I’d recommend Linux Mint. It works great on my Legion with the driver manager. Just click on the recommended driver option, and you're good to go. Plus, it supports secure boot in a way that's simpler than some other distros. If you're worried about losing Windows, make a USB recovery drive; you can always revert back if needed.
For general use, I’d suggest sticking with Ubuntu or Debian. Ubuntu is user-friendly and ready to go right out of the box, while Debian is more customizable if you're willing to dive into details. The majority of other distros are just variations on these two.
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