Hey everyone! I've been using Linux for about 20 years now and have primarily worked with Debian, Ubuntu, Arch, and Mint. Currently, I'm using the latest version of Ubuntu, but I'm running into issues with the login screen hanging and not allowing me to log in, which is super frustrating. So, I'm looking for some fresh distro recommendations since I'm ready to move on from Ubuntu for now.
Here's what I need in a new Linux distribution:
- Compatibility with my Nvidia laptop (Dell XPS 9570)
- Mainly for coding but also general use
- Bluetooth issues are a concern, so it should either come with PipeWire or be easy to set up
- Some light gaming on the side
- Ideally low maintenance but with access to relatively new packages
- Should work well with tiling window managers (I've heard good things about Hyprland but have read Sway has Nvidia issues; I like i3 as well, and KDE is okay too, but I really don't want to use Gnome again)
- I'd prefer a rolling release model since Ubuntu's upgrade process tends to give me headaches every six months.
I've been considering openSUSE Tumbleweed but haven't tried it yet. Arch is an option I'm mulling over again, although it's not the easiest to maintain. I tried Manjaro once and wasn't impressed, and I'm hesitant about Fedora despite hearing some good things. I also loved Debian in the past, but I've had issues with outdated packages lately.
Any suggestions? There are just so many different flavors out there, and I feel a bit lost. I'm leaning towards OpenSUSE or a rolling release option that integrates well with a tiling manager.
3 Answers
You might want to consider a few options that fit your needs. Fedora can be a good choice if you want something low maintenance. OpenSUSE Tumbleweed is another solid option, and it works well with Hyprland. If you're feeling adventurous, NixOS is really stable once set up but can be a pain initially since it requires some depth in config files. Arch is always an option if you don't mind spending some time on it. Just keep in mind that some issues you're facing might be linked to your hardware rather than the distro.
Make sure to check out CachyOS if you want something Arch-based; it has some cool features and is more user-friendly.
I suggest checking out openSUSE Tumbleweed, especially for its automatic snapshots. This way, if anything breaks, you can revert back easily. Garuda Linux is also good if you're looking for a rolling release with a more user-friendly experience.
Consider the uBlue spins based on Fedora. They’re pretty robust and less likely to break. They have good support for containerization with Podman and also come with distrobox, making it easy to get packages from other repos. You might find a version with Hyprland or look into Kionite for a KDE option, if that suits you.
I’ve never heard of uBlue spins, but they sound interesting! Definitely going to check them out.
Thanks for the tips! I'm definitely leaning towards OpenSUSE. I appreciate the heads up about NixOS being tricky to set up.