I'm new to Linux and just got a new PC. I'm looking for the best beginner-friendly Linux distribution for gaming. I've heard that Zorin OS is nice, but I'm not a fan of its interface and want something that looks good. What distro do you recommend? Also, how do I install Linux? What are the basic commands I need to know? How do I run Steam games and .exe files? Lastly, how do I set everything up to start gaming?
5 Answers
If you're totally new, Mint is probably your safest bet. It’s not the flashiest, but you'll find a supportive community, and it's easy to jump into gaming. Just remember that Linux is different from Windows—be ready to look things up when you're stuck. That effort is part of the learning curve, but it pays off!
If you're looking for a gaming distro, you might want to check out Linux Mint. It's super beginner-friendly and has worked well for me. For installing it, you'd typically download an ISO file, make a bootable USB, and follow the install steps—it’s pretty similar to installing Windows. For gaming, just download Steam and enable compatibility mode. Most of the games work without a hitch, but some .exe files can run through the command line (which is a different thing from just using the desktop).
Yeah, definitely try Linux Mint, it's got a nice interface and is user-friendly. To run Windows games, you can use Proton, a compatibility tool integrated into Steam that handles a lot of Windows games effortlessly. For other games or software outside Steam, using tools like Lutris or Bottles can help run .exe files. Just be cautious with anti-cheat games, as they often don’t work well on Linux.
Thanks for the insight! Is it easy to set up Lutris?
Zorin's a solid choice, especially if you want to customize your UI. You can make it look like Windows or even MacOS. It also supports Steam really well and has an easy installation process for Windows programs. For someone who's just starting, Zorin is great because it works right out of the box.
Consider trying Fedora KDE or Manjaro if you feel adventurous! They have friendly user interfaces and solid communities for support. However, I recommend getting comfortable with Linux by starting with Mint. It’s like dipping your toes in before diving deeper!
Awesome tips, thanks! How does the compatibility layer actually work?