I previously used Ubuntu on an older computer and really enjoyed it, but that machine eventually broke. I now have an ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED UX3405CA-QD1183 with an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD, and Intel Arc 140V graphics. Which Linux distribution would be a good choice for this hardware, especially for someone who is still fairly new to Linux? I also need to install it myself, so what is the safest and simplest installation process?
4 Answers
You can also consider Debian if you mainly want a very stable system, although its software versions may be older. For a first installation, I would avoid a highly hands-on choice such as a manual Arch setup. Whichever distribution you choose, keep the laptop’s firmware updated and test suspend, brightness controls, Wi-Fi, and the OLED display before replacing the existing operating system.
The installation process is usually: download the ISO for your chosen distribution, write it to a USB flash drive with a tool such as Rufus or Balena Etcher, boot the ASUS from that USB, and choose the live-session option. This lets you try Linux without changing the internal drive. If everything works, start the installer and follow its prompts. Back up your files first, especially if you plan to erase Windows.
Linux Mint Cinnamon is probably the easiest recommendation for a newcomer. It is stable, familiar, and has plenty of documentation and community support. Kubuntu is another good option if you prefer a more customizable desktop, while Fedora KDE can work well if you are comfortable troubleshooting newer hardware and software.
Since you already liked Ubuntu, using Ubuntu again is a perfectly reasonable choice. The hardware is modern enough that a current release should support it well. Before installing, check the laptop’s hardware compatibility and test the system from a live USB so you can verify the display, Wi-Fi, sound, keyboard, touchpad, and suspend behavior.
Mint Cinnamon would be my pick too. It is straightforward to install and tends to work well for everyday browsing and office use.