Hey everyone! I'm about to dive into Linux for the first time and I'm particularly interested in understanding Debian-based distributions from the ground up. I've heard a lot of people recommend Ubuntu for newcomers, but I've been seeing some mixed reviews lately. I'm curious if Ubuntu is still the top pick or if there are other good Debian-based options to consider. I'm currently a computer science student learning C++ and SQL, and I really need a straightforward environment that supports my programming needs. My laptop is an MSI Katana with an Intel i9 processor and an RTX 5060 GPU, so I'm a bit concerned about getting the Nvidia drivers working smoothly. I plan to dual-boot with Windows and just want a hassle-free experience. Any recommendations or advice for a complete newbie would be super helpful!
4 Answers
You could always just go with plain Debian. Sure, some say it’s not the most cutting-edge, but it installs easily and just works. Nvidia drivers can be tricky, but there’s plenty of help out there. If stability is what you want, it’s hard to beat Debian itself!
If you're looking for a Debian-based distro, I recommend checking out Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE). It's user-friendly and gives you the stability of Debian while keeping things simple. You can find it on their official site and it could be a great fit for you!
Mint is great but vanilla Debian has its merits too. If you want something really user-friendly and avoid the snap situation from Ubuntu, give LMDE a shot. But if you're okay with a little more learning curve, plain Debian can teach you a lot. Just beware of the Nvidia driver hassle!
Honestly, Linux Mint is a solid choice for beginners, especially for those transitioning from Windows. It's popular for a reason and is based on Ubuntu, which itself is based on Debian, so you’re still in the Debian family!
I’ve heard similar things about Nvidia issues. But like you said, if you're willing to put in a bit of effort, the experience with Debian can be quite rewarding!