I've been trying out different Linux distros but can't seem to find the right one to stick with for daily use. I started with Linux Mint in a VirtualBox environment, but that didn't go well due to my school firewall. After taking a break, I installed Ubuntu on my desktop—a machine with an i5 4590 and 16 GB of DDR3 RAM—but then switched back to Tiny11. I've also experimented with Bazzite on my ASUS UM431DA with a Ryzen 3700U, 8 GB of RAM, and a 500 GB NVMe drive. I tried Arch in VirtualBox but ended up with just a black screen. Manjaro was another attempt on my Acer Nitro V, but that broke too.
Here's the hardware I'm working with:
- ASUS UM431DA (Ryzen 3700U, 8 GB RAM, 500 GB NVMe)
- i5 4590 desktop (16 GB DDR3, RX 570, two 240 GB SATA SSDs, with a GTX 1080 that's currently not usable due to lacking a PSU)
- MacBook Pro 2015 (i7, 16 GB RAM, 250 GB SSD)
- ASUS VivoBook 15 (i7 13550U, 16 GB RAM, 500 GB SSD with a broken screen but works with an external monitor)
- MacBook Pro 2017 (8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD)
- Fujitsu with E3 1235
I'm looking for a stable, easy-to-set-up distro that isn't too heavy but modern enough for daily tasks. I'm open to options that are Ubuntu-based, Arch-based, or something completely different. Any recommendations?
5 Answers
You might want to try Cachy OS. I’ve heard good things about it, and it's designed to be new-user-friendly. Give it a shot!
If you're looking for something stable, you might want to check out OpenSUSE. They offer two versions: Leap, which is the standard release, and Tumbleweed, a rolling release. Either one could work well depending on your preference!
I'd definitely recommend Fedora! It's user-friendly and has a great community backing it. It's a solid choice for daily driving with a good mix of stability and the latest features.
There are many options out there now that make it easier to set up Linux! Since you’ve tried the big-name distros, maybe consider some alternatives. If gaming is a priority, Nobara, Pop!_OS, Oreon, or Aurora could be great. For a balanced desktop experience, MX Linux is worth a shot. Also, check out Arch-based options like Cachy or Garuda if you want something that’s beginner-friendly and gaming-ready. The key is to try a few in a VM or on a live USB before committing! Have fun with it!
Distro-hopping can be fun! Have you looked into Ventoy? It lets you try different distros without the hassle of installation. You can use it to boot various distros from USB. Here are some links to check out live ISO files if you want to explore more:
- Debian Live Images
- Linux Mint ISO
- Fedora Spins
Plus, adding persistence with Ventoy is super easy!
I love Ventoy! It changed my experience, especially with testing out different systems. I just wish I had it before moving from Windows. Now, I really can’t go back!