I'm new to Linux and want to set it up in a dual-boot configuration on my laptop. My laptop has a GTX 1650 GPU and an i5 processor. I've read that installing Nvidia drivers on Linux can be tricky, so I'm looking for recommendations on the best distributions to use. I don't need it for gaming or security, just for software development. As a complete beginner, the number of available distros is overwhelming, and I'd appreciate some guidance.
4 Answers
I always think that an Ubuntu derivative is a solid place to start. I use Kubuntu myself because I love the KDE Plasma interface. You might also consider Ubuntu GNOME, Mint, or PopOS. Just make sure to select the option to install third-party and proprietary software during setup—that'll help with the drivers!
Your GTX 1650 is supported by modern Nvidia drivers, so you're good there! If you're new, ZorinOS is really beginner-friendly. Any distro that comes with Nvidia support pre-installed would be great, and even if you don't choose that, installing the drivers isn't too tough.
I’d recommend Bazzite for beginners. It’s super easy to use, and you can download a version with Nvidia drivers already included, which should save you some hassle. It's based on Fedora but is tailored to be user-friendly, especially for new users.
Don't stress too much about picking the right distro; it's more about what software you want pre-installed. For beginners, I'd suggest something like Mint, Fedora, or Ubuntu (and their variations like Kubuntu, which has a different desktop environment). They’re all user-friendly and should be a good starting point. Also, check out Distrosea.com to explore different environments without installing anything. Just a tip: keep your home directory on a separate partition to make switching between distros easier in the future!
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