I recently had a power failure that corrupted my Windows 10 installation, so I figured it's the perfect time to make the switch to Linux! My data files are safe, but I need an operating system that can interact with my file system.
I have some experience with Linux from a Debian virtual machine where I played around with cross-platform development, plus I've used PiOS for some Raspberry Pi projects. I know the basics of commands like cd, ls, mv, and touch.
My setup is AMD-based, and I do a variety of tasks including coding in VS Code, digital art in CSP, electrical engineering with KiCad, playing Steam games (including using a Valve Index with SteamVR), 3D modeling in FreeCad, and 3D printing with Creality Print.
Some friends suggested Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop, but I've read it's not compatible with SteamVR. What Linux distro would you recommend that can handle all of my uses?
2 Answers
I totally understand the struggle! I was in your shoes about 7 months ago when I dove straight into Arch Linux, despite the warnings about it being too difficult for beginners. I can tell you, once you get the hang of it, it's super customizable and I love it!
The initial setup might be tricky, but if you're curious and willing to experiment, you'll be just fine. Don’t let anyone discourage you from trying a certain distro just because you're new. Just focus on finding one that meets your needs, and you'll do great!
You might want to check out Big Linux. It's based on Manjaro and is oriented towards beginners and gamers. Just keep in mind that SteamVR has had its ups and downs on Linux. I have a Valve Index too, and while some games work, SteamVR hasn't been perfect on Linux in a while. Just a heads up!
If you're looking for something more gaming-focused, Nobara is another option; it's based on Fedora and tailored for that crowd. As for Mint, it should technically work with SteamVR since it’s based on Ubuntu, but the overall support for SteamVR on Linux can be hit or miss. Good luck!
Yeah, I recently saw that SteamVR's official support page mentions it doesn't work with Ubuntu. It's worth checking that out before deciding.
By the way, what’s with the random rectangles in your post? Looks kind of weird!