Hey everyone! I'm looking for some recommendations on which Linux distribution, desktop environment (DE), and window manager (WM) would work best for me. I'm considering this switch because Windows 10 is reaching its end of life, and I'm not interested in Windows 11 since it feels overly intrusive and is a downgrade from older versions like Windows 10, 7, and XP.
Here's a bit about my setup and needs:
**Hardware:**
- NVidia 40-series GPU.
- 5120x1440 OLED monitor.
**Linux Experience:**
- I dabbled in Slackware and Red Hat around 25-30 years ago (back in '97-'98) but haven't used Linux regularly since then.
- Recently, I've used Ubuntu for development but wasn't a fan of the current GNOME desktop. There were versions I liked years ago, but I can't recall which ones.
**Usage Patterns:**
- I often have numerous browser windows open and like to arrange them in a grid system. My typical layout involves a mix of different sized windows.
- Gaming is my top priority, so I need a system that supports gaming well (like Steam, Epic, etc.). I play titles like Sins of a Solar Empire II, X4: Foundations, and others.
- Programming is also important. I frequently run virtual machines and use Android Studio for game development.
- I need to manage overlapping windows and quickly snap them to a grid, similar to how Power Toys work on Windows.
- I want to maintain my OLED monitor's longevity, so I'd prefer a dark theme and no static UI elements.
- I favor a classic desktop layout with a bottom taskbar and a start menu.
- HDR support would be great.
- It's important that switching between different resolutions (like 5120x1440 and 2560x1440) doesn't disrupt anything.
**What to Avoid:**
- I don't want to deal with updates more than once every 12 months, ideally keeping the same setup for over 3 years. I understand security updates are necessary, but if I could have a distro that allows optional updates, that'd be perfect.
- I've heard Ubuntu may send telemetry data back to Amazon, so I want to steer clear of Ubuntu and its derivatives.
- I also need a distro that can run virtual machines without issues.
I know it's a lot to ask, but I'd love any suggestions you might have for the optimal combination of distro, DE, and WM. Thanks!
2 Answers
When it comes to gaming, what type of games are you looking to play? Are you into indie games or more of the AAA titles?
Got it! So you’ll want something that plays well with Proton and has good driver support. Just keep an eye out for distros that focus on that.
You might want to check out Fedora with KDE Plasma. It’s user-friendly and has great support for gaming. Plus, there are tons of customization options. If you’re willing to wait a bit, Debian is also coming out with some updates that could be worth a look!
Fedora’s KDE setup should work great out of the box, but if you want something specific, you might look into configuring your own WM with it!
Awesome, thank you! I had Fedora and KDE Plasma high on my list, but I wasn't sure if they were the right fit. Does the Fedora KDE come with a good WM that fits what I'm looking for?
I mostly play Steam and Epic games like Sins of a Solar Empire II, League of Legends, and RPGs like Witcher 3. That's why I need solid gaming support, especially with Proton!