I'm about to get a new laptop since my old one broke, and I need it for light school work and some casual gaming (like Stardew Valley, Terraria, TF2, and Half-Life). I've only ever used Ubuntu and Mint before. My new device is an HP EliteBook 840 with an i5 6200u processor, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and while it's not super fast, it gets the job done. I'm considering switching distributions mainly because Windows uses a lot of RAM, and I'm looking for something lighter. I was thinking about using XFCE Mint or a similar distro that isn't too complicated but is still customizable and lightweight. Any recommendations?
4 Answers
If you're open to trying Fedora with the KDE desktop, it's another great option! It's very customizable and performs well for both gaming and productivity.
With your computer specs, you could run pretty much any distro without issues! The processing power and RAM you have should be enough for a smooth experience.
I've been using Fedora on my ThinkPad for a year now, and it's been fantastic! It's decent for schoolwork and can handle light gaming really well. I've noticed that while there are distros that are better for specific tasks, Fedora is just a well-rounded option.
Yeah, Fedora is quite versatile! You'll find it has a good blend of stability and cutting-edge features, making it good for both gaming and schoolwork.
I'd recommend trying out Linux Mint! It's always a solid choice for users coming from Windows. Plus, the XFCE version you mentioned is excellent for saving RAM and keeping things light.
Sounds good! I was leaning towards the XFCE version, especially for RAM efficiency. I'll give it a shot!

What makes Fedora different from other distros? I know it's popular, but I'm not familiar with what sets it apart.