I'm diving into the world of Linux by starting with Arch Linux in a virtual machine (VM). I want to learn everything from the basics before I consider dual booting it alongside Windows on my laptop. My background is in electrical engineering, so I have some tech knowledge, but the idea of partitioning my laptop makes me a bit anxious. I'm also drawn to Arch because I appreciate its lightweight nature and the steep learning curve it offers. That said, I'm at a crossroads: I'm not sure which desktop environment to choose for my VM setup. I was thinking about trying Hyprland, but I've heard it might not perform well in a virtualized environment. What would be a good alternative that allows for customization and helps me get the most out of my Linux learning experience?
1 Answer
If you're new to Linux, I'd recommend starting with either KDE or Gnome. Both are popular and well-supported desktop environments. KDE gives you a more Windows-like feel, while Gnome resembles macOS. KDE is also super customizable, so you can tweak it to your liking. Gnome has options for customization with extensions, but it’s a bit limited out of the box. Either choice will give you a solid foundation for learning.
That's good to know! I've heard a bit about Fedora as well. Do you think that's a good alternative for learning in a VM?