I've been watching a lot of videos about Linux and it looks like a lot of fun! I'm considering making the switch but I'm worried about losing access to some of my favorite activities. Can anyone recommend a user-friendly Linux distro that allows me to do things like: 1) some basic video editing, 2) gaming (specifically Minecraft and various Steam games), and 3) using my usual Windows apps like Spotify, Discord, ShareX, Voicemod, and Paint.NET?
5 Answers
Let’s talk specs! Try using Ventoy to create a bootable USB flash drive with the Linux Mint 22.1 ISO. You can then boot from that to test it out.
Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, Nobara, or Bazzite are good options for your needs. Just be honest with yourself about how comfortable you are with tech—if you're up for solving problems, you'll likely enjoy Linux! KDEnlive works for video editing, but Adobe products aren't available. A lot of games run smoothly, but some with anti-cheat will pose issues. ProtonDB is a solid site for checking game compatibility. Spotify and Discord run fine too, just be ready for potential hiccups with Voicemod and similar apps. If you have an NVIDIA GPU, make sure to get the proprietary drivers for the best performance. Pop!_OS has a version for NVIDIA users that simplifies everything, while Nobara makes it easy too!
What if I wanted to play a game with an anti-cheat? Are there any performance benefits to using Linux over Windows?
A simple way to get started is to dual boot Linux from an external USB hard drive. This keeps your Windows system intact on the internal disk while letting you explore Linux.
If you're looking for a Windows-like experience, try Bazzite with the KDE desktop. For video editing, both KDEnlive and DaVinci Resolve work well. Most Steam games, including Minecraft, have decent support on Linux, though some may struggle with anti-cheat. Discord and Spotify are available natively, but check for replacements for the other apps you use. While Mint is popular, I'd suggest Fedora for a more robust gaming and editing experience down the line.
For video editing, KDEnlive is a great option to check out! As for gaming, you'll want to browse ProtonDB to see how well your favorite titles run on Linux. A common suggestion is Linux Mint for newcomers, but keep in mind to back up your data before diving in. You might also want to brace yourself for a bit of learning curve.
Where can I search for alternative apps I normally use?
I have 8GB of RAM, a GTX 1050, and a Ryzen 5 4600H.