Hey everyone! I'm looking to transition to Linux since Windows 10 support is winding down. Previously, I used Solus Mate, but I ran into a bunch of issues, and my college pushed me to stick with Windows for access to proprietary software. It's been about 2.5 years, and I miss the Linux experience!
I use my HP Omen 15-en0xxx mainly for gaming, browsing, and coding, and I'm keen to keep gaming while using Linux. I'm open to dual-booting like before. Here are my laptop specifications:
- **Processor:** Ryzen 5 4600H with Radeon Graphics
- **RAM:** 16GB
- **GPU:** Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti
- **Storage:** 512GB SSD (primary), 1TB SSD (secondary)
I'd love to hear from anyone with similar HP Omen laptops or specs on which Linux distributions have worked well for you. I've dabbled in Solus, Endeavour OS, Mint, and Parrot on virtual machines, but I need some solid recommendations this time around! Thanks in advance!
4 Answers
You might want to check out Bazzite! I think it’s a solid option for daily use. Also, steer clear of Parrot OS for everyday tasks; it’s not the best fit for that. Good luck!
I’d lean towards Ubuntu for daily tasks. It’s great for coding and browsing without a steep learning curve. Mint is also a reliable choice if you prefer something with a classic look. Just make sure to dual-boot Windows for any apps you need for college. And, as you play games, you might want to gradually learn about game compatibility with Proton and others.
Thanks for the advice! I plan to dual-boot until I’m more comfortable with Linux. My main worries are about Nvidia drivers giving me trouble again and making sure I can easily share files between Windows and Linux partitions. I had to rely on an external hard drive before, but I'll look into more efficient options.
I recommend Pop!_OS or Ubuntu. They’re both user-friendly and good for gaming! Plus, you’ll have great community support if you run into issues.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them. I really love Mint for its GUI; it feels like upgrading an old car with a new engine on similar specs to yours, it's smooth!
Bazzite sounds interesting! I'll definitely look into it. And yeah, I also wouldn't want to use Parrot as my main OS, ha!