Hey everyone! I previously asked about why Linux is so popular and got some great feedback (sorry I couldn't reply to those comments!). Now, I'm looking to set up my first Linux environment. I'm a computer major and plan to use Linux for programming—like full stack development and working with servers, MySQL, databases, Git, and version control. I've tried Ubuntu on my college PC, but I liked Mint more (saw a great YouTube video on it and loved the customizations). Is Mint a good choice for coding, or can you recommend a similar distro? Also, I want to install Linux on an external HP 512GB SSD to use across my three laptops or take to school. Should I go for that, set up a dual boot, or use a virtual machine for better performance? Or would it be better to just remove Windows from one laptop (which has an i5 processor, 4GB RAM, and 512 HDD) and install Linux there instead? By the way, I'm very accustomed to Windows and GUIs, so I don't often use the terminal. Thanks in advance!
5 Answers
Mint is a great choice for coding! Most distros, including Mint, can handle your programming needs just fine. I suggest getting familiar with the terminal, though—it's a lot easier to manage things like Git and servers once you know your way around it. If you're worried about performance, I’d recommend installing Linux directly on a laptop rather than through a VM since that usually runs smoother. Dual booting is also an option, but it's really up to your preference.
I recommend MX Linux for a great user experience! It's got a handy feature where you can create an .ISO of your setup after installing your essential software, so you never have to start from scratch. It's perfect for keeping things tidy and ready for development, especially if you're planning to try different software.
If you're open to trying something different, consider an Arch-based distro like Endeavour. It has access to the AUR (Arch User Repository), which is super helpful for finding programming libraries and tools. Just a thought for your programming journey!
If you want to stick with Mint, I suggest using the XFCE or MATE versions on your i5 laptop with 4GB RAM. They're way lighter than Windows 10, so it should run well. You could also look into KVM software to control all three machines from one laptop, which would let you run Windows and Linux simultaneously—pretty cool, right? Also, try out some cross-platform free software on both systems to help you transition away from Windows. Don't hesitate to keep asking questions as you learn!
Check out the distro selection page in the Linux4Noobs wiki for some good options! If you feel adventurous, you might want to try creating a VM first to test things out before committing. Just a heads-up, always back up your work and get comfortable with the terminal—it's a learning curve, but super useful!
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