I'm completely new to Linux and have never installed or used it before. My laptop is an Asus ZenBook Flip UX363E with an Intel i5-1135G7, 8GB of RAM, a 13.3-inch OLED touchscreen, and a convertible design. Windows 10 already uses around 35% of the memory immediately after startup, and Windows 11 was even heavier. I mainly need the laptop for web browsing and watching videos with VLC, not gaming. I'd like to keep the useful hardware features working, including keyboard shortcuts for volume and brightness, a French AZERTY layout, Wi-Fi, audio, the touchscreen, and other standard drivers. I'm hoping for a Linux setup that uses less memory and is reliable for everyday use. I'm comfortable creating a bootable USB drive, but I'd appreciate advice on which distribution and desktop environment to choose, whether the hardware should work automatically, and whether dual-booting would be sensible for a first installation.
3 Answers
8GB is plenty for normal Linux use such as browsing and video playback. Mint, Zorin, or a lighter distribution such as Linux Lite should use less memory than Windows in many setups, although browser tabs can still consume a lot. Intel graphics and wireless hardware from this generation are generally well supported by current Linux kernels, but testing the live USB is the best way to confirm this specific laptop.
Linux Mint would be a very friendly starting point, especially with the Cinnamon desktop. Zorin OS is another beginner-oriented option and tends to ship newer software. Both should run comfortably with 8GB of RAM. Create a bootable USB, start the live session, and test Wi-Fi, sound, brightness controls, the touchscreen, keyboard layout, and sleep/wake before installing.
Try Linux Mint from a USB drive first rather than installing immediately. The live environment lets you check whether your hardware works without changing the internal disk. For a first Linux installation, keeping Windows in a dual-boot setup is a sensible safety net until you’re sure everything you need works in Linux.
Is Zorin easy to install, and will the Asus hardware drivers work automatically? I’d also like to know whether memory usage should be lower than Windows 10.