I'm thinking about switching to Linux and I'm looking for some guidance! I'm a big gamer, especially into Minecraft Java, so I'm hoping to boost my FPS. I also want to use coding platforms like Visual Studio and Eclipse while having the flexibility to code in languages like Java and Python. Other things on my list include downloading the Brave browser, watching anime, customizing my UI to make it look clean and neat, and making sure my older laptop doesn't lag while using it. I also want to use communication apps like Discord and Zoom, but those aren't super critical for me.
One of my main questions is about UI customization. If I pick a Linux distribution that looks nice, can I switch to a different UI like the one shown in Juxtopposed's video "I Tried Designing My FIRST Linux UI"? She uses the Mystical Blue Theme with KDE + EndeavorOS, and I really love that style! Given my laptop specs – an older Fujitsu lifebook with an Intel i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and Intel HD Graphics – will it be able to handle the same distro or will it struggle? And by the way, I'm not old enough to buy new parts for my laptop yet since I'm 16 and my parents are strict about money. Also, English isn't my first language, so I apologize for any mistakes! I've got exams wrapping up soon, but I'll check back as soon as I can!
2 Answers
You might also want to consider StormOS. I think it has a user-friendly interface and is quite customizable. It’s suitable for gaming which is key for you, and it should run fairly well on your laptop specs. Just check out its features and see if it matches your needs!
For beginners, I highly recommend checking out Fedora KDE. It's great for balancing stability and up-to-date software. You can easily add the Flathub repository to install apps via a package manager instead of downloading executables directly. While it's not a gaming-specific distro, it has gaming-friendly versions like Bazzite and Nobara based on it, which might interest you. Plus, the KDE desktop environment will feel familiar if you're coming from Windows. Fedore's live version makes installation pretty straightforward too! Let me know if you need more advice!

Thanks! I'd love to hear more about why you recommend StormOS. What makes it a good choice for gaming and general use?