I've been trying to switch over from Windows to Linux on my ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 (i5 12450H, RTX 3050) with a dedicated SSD for Linux, but Fedora has let me down multiple times. I've used Ubuntu LTS and Mint before, so I'm not a complete newbie. I thought Fedora with KDE Plasma would be perfect due to its features and security. However, I struggled with the NVIDIA drivers and went through several installation attempts—Fedora 42 seemed okay initially, but then it fell back to the open-source nouveau driver. When I tried Fedora 43, the new installer was frustrating and the system never booted up even after multiple tries. Now, I'm looking for distro recommendations that would suit my needs for work applications like Vivado and FreeCAD, and I can't afford the time or heartache of dealing with complex setups like Arch.
5 Answers
If you want to install NVIDIA drivers, asking ChatGPT might not be the best route to take; it can backfire! I found this guide on RPM Fusion really helpful for ensuring the drivers work across different hardware. It's been reliable for me on varying setups!
You could also try CachyOS. I've heard good things about it!
There are some useful installation tips available in our community wiki. Also, always try to connect your computer via ethernet during installation—it helps a lot! Just be sure to remove the boot media when you're finished!
Have you considered your options with Secure Boot? Setting up your keys and certs can be complicated, especially for newcomers. Also, will you need to dual-boot with Windows for any specific software like Solidworks? That could affect your choice too.
Yeah, I need to dual-boot for some Windows-only software. It did work for me once using MOK to enroll my own key.
Secure boot + NVIDIA has been a pain for many, but I haven’t had to manually sign drivers lately. If you're open to alternatives, I recommend trying Kubuntu or Bazzite; they might simplify your life without the cert headaches. It's worth exploring!
I would check that out, but I already know my system struggles with Fedora 43.