Hey everyone! I hope you're all doing well. I'm currently dual-booting Linux Mint with Windows 11 and I really enjoy it. Mint is nice to use, although I have some issues with installing GPU drivers. It runs smoothly and has a low memory footprint, which I appreciate. However, I've been considering switching to Arch because it might be more resource-efficient, especially since I'm dual-booting on the same NVMe drive and want to manage storage better. I'm also thinking about using KDE Plasma with Arch. My main concern is that I don't want to lose any data from my Windows installation, as I've heard partitioning can be tricky with Arch. I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice. Thanks a lot!
3 Answers
Honestly, I'd recommend sticking with Mint unless you're really eager to dive into Arch. Mint has a great graphical driver manager that makes installing drivers really easy—just one click! Whether you switch to Arch or not, the resource use largely depends on how you set it up and your chosen desktop environment, like KDE. For gaming, I'd say keep what’s working for you.
It's a common misconception that Arch uses less resources. Unlike Mint, Arch doesn’t come with default programs, so it’s up to you to install what you need. This means you could end up with as many resources being used as you do with Mint. Also, keep in mind that Arch is geared towards users who are comfortable managing their own updates, so you might miss some conveniences that Mint offers. If you're after a challenge, go for it! Otherwise, Mint seems like a solid choice for your current needs.
If you’re looking for a more user-friendly Arch experience, you could consider using a derivative like Endeavour OS or Garuda. They maintain the Arch base but aim to provide an easier setup. Plus, since you're already happy with your Mint setup, it might not be worth the hassle to switch at this point. It's all about what you want to get out of your Linux experience!
I agree! I switched to Endeavour to get that Arch feel without the hassle, and it’s been great!