Hey everyone! I'm looking to install Linux on my laptop that has an Nvidia GTX 1650 GPU. I've previously used Fedora 36 but encountered some major issues after updates, specifically with the Nvidia drivers. I'm considering switching to Debian 13 since it doesn't have desktop updates. However, I've noticed that Debian 13 only supports Nvidia 550 drivers unless I want to manually install newer versions, which could compromise system stability. For Wayland, the 555 or 570 drivers are recommended. Given this, would it be better to go with Fedora 42 or Debian 13 with a manually installed 570 driver? Or do you guys have any other suggestions? Has anyone had a smooth experience using Wayland with Nvidia 550 and Gnome? I'd really appreciate any input!
3 Answers
I attempted to install Debian 13 on my laptop but got super frustrated trying to get the Nvidia drivers set up. I ended up installing Fedora 42 like I have on my desktop, and it only took me 10 minutes to get everything set up the way I like it. It's been running smoothly since! My laptop has an i7 8750h and a GTX 1060.
I love Debian, but with an Nvidia card, I would definitely recommend Fedora. If you want included Nvidia drivers, consider trying one of the Universal Blue atomic releases.
I think you’re onto something. I was really looking forward to Debian 13 for its stability, but it seems like it’s just not ready for me yet. I might wait for Deb 14 or plan for a new PC with an AMD GPU instead. I’ll definitely look into those atomic Fedora releases more!
You might want to check out Nobara Project. I’ve been running it on my laptop (AMD APU) and desktop (4060) without any issues. Just make sure to get the Nvidia + Gnome version. I personally prefer KDE, but everybody has their taste!
I considered Nobara but I lean towards Fedora since I don’t need the extra stuff that comes with it. However, if I run into any issues with Fedora and Nvidia, I’ll definitely give Nobara a shot!
Sounds like I might head toward Fedora too. It’s a shame though; I was really excited about Debian 13!