Hey everyone! I'm currently on Ubuntu 24 but just saw the latest update for Pop!_OS, which features a cool new Wayland-based window system and automatic tiling similar to what's found in Hyprland on Arch Linux. However, I've noticed that Pop!_OS doesn't support Secure Boot, which is a concern for me. Can anyone recommend a Linux distribution and desktop environment that allows me to keep Secure Boot enabled while still enjoying a great window system like Hyprland? I'm also focused on web development (using Workbench, Vim, and Laravel Herd) and playing games (either AppImage titles or popular titles like Battlefield 6 and The Division 2). Thanks so much for your input, and I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! May the penguin guide us to the Force! 🐧
4 Answers
A lot of distributions can handle Secure Boot by using a shim. Since you mentioned checking out CachyOS, here’s their [wiki page for enabling Secure Boot](https://wiki.cachyos.org/configuration/secure_boot_setup/). But if you want a distro that works out of the box with Secure Boot, I’d suggest Ubuntu, openSUSE, or Debian. OpenSUSE officially supports Cosmic in their repos, so it requires minimal setup compared to the others! Good luck with your search!
I’m curious what makes Secure Boot so essential for you? For some folks, it just ensures certain games run smoothly, so that might be the case for you as well!
If I were in your position, I'd recommend the following options:
1. AMD GPU? Go for Fedora with Hyprland.
2. NVIDIA GPU but want Secure Boot? Opt for Fedora with KDE on Wayland.
3. Want that Ubuntu vibe but prefer a better Wayland experience? Try KDE Neon.
4. If you’re looking for a solid power-safety balance, openSUSE Tumbleweed might be the one.
While Pop!_OS Cosmic looks great, it's still a work in progress and may not be ideal if Secure Boot is a priority right now. Remember, Linux is about finding a distro that works best for you, rather than the "perfect" one!
You can actually sign the kernel and out-of-tree modules like NVIDIA drivers yourself on Pop!_OS if you want to keep using it with Secure Boot. That said, you might want to check out Fedora as they have an official Cosmic spin. Also, Ubuntu users can install a tiling compositor, like Sway, which is available in the 24.04 repos!
How do you go about signing your kernel? Any specific guides? Also, I think CachyOS looks promising lately!
Totally! I’m not a fan of Secure Boot either, but I've found it's a must for several gaming setups.