Hey there! I've been using Windows 11 since it launched, but I'm looking to switch to Linux because I'm frustrated with the constant updates from Microsoft. My laptop is mainly for gaming and some robotics work (like with Arduino). Here are my specs: I have a GTX 1650 graphics card, 8GB of RAM, an Intel i5 processor, plus an SSD and an HDD. I've also noticed that Windows seems to use around 5GB of RAM just with Firefox open. I'm a total newbie to Linux and want to choose a distro that's easy to start with. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance!
5 Answers
If you’re looking for a distro for beginners, Mint really is the best option! It has all the right features for someone new to Linux.
Before you commit to Linux Mint, you might want to try taking the test at distrochooser.de. It's a great way to see which Linux distribution fits your needs best!
A lot of people recommend Linux Mint for newcomers, and I think you'll find it a solid choice. I switched from Windows 11 to Mint a few months back and I’m much happier now. Most of the time, everything just works. If you encounter apps that don’t have good Linux versions, you can often find alternatives. I even set up a Tiny11 VM for the rare times I need Windows, mostly just for printing. Good luck with the transition!
Totally agree with the suggestion for Linux Mint! It's designed for ease of use, especially since the interface is similar to Windows. Just a heads up though, gaming on Linux has come a long way, but it still isn't quite on par with Windows. Lots of Windows games run well on Steam with the Proton compatibility layer, but do check compatibility for the games you want on ProtonDB first. Also, for Arduino work, Linux is a good match, but make sure any other applications you rely on have Linux versions. You might hit some bumps with compatibility, especially with CAD software. Good luck!
Don't worry about Arduino; it works great on Linux! Whether you go with the IDE or something like Platformio, it should be smooth sailing.
Regarding your RAM usage, that's pretty normal these days! Modern browsers tend to use as much memory as they can because they operate on the idea that 'unused memory is wasted memory.' They can give it back to other apps when needed. As for Linux, I'd definitely suggest starting with Mint since it has plenty of graphical applications to make things easier.
I’ve heard some folks say Mint is slower than Windows. Is that really the case?