I've used Linux for about two years, including Ubuntu, Arch, and Mint, and I'm considering switching fully now that I'm moving from a desktop PC to a laptop. I don't mind using the command line, but I really dislike having to remember configuration-file locations and manually edit them whenever I want to customize my system. At the same time, customization is one of the main reasons I enjoy Linux, so I don't want a completely locked-down or barebones setup. KDE Plasma looks like a promising option because it provides extensive customization through graphical settings. Which distributions pair well with KDE, or are there other desktop environments besides GNOME that offer a similarly flexible GUI? Also, are there convenient graphical ways to browse and edit common configuration files, or to keep track of where they are located?
5 Answers
The distro and desktop are separate choices here. KDE Plasma is the desktop environment, while Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, and others are distributions that can ship it as an edition or spin. Fedora KDE would be a sensible option, especially if your laptop manufacturer officially supports it, while Debian KDE is a more conservative and stable alternative.
NixOS does centralize your system configuration, but it probably isn't a good match for your specific goal. Instead of editing lots of scattered files, you describe the system declaratively and apply it with a rebuild command. That organization is convenient once learned, but it adds a programming-like workflow and usually means spending more time in the terminal, not less.
Mageia is worth considering if you want system administration tools with graphical interfaces. Its control center covers many tasks that other distributions often handle through terminal commands or manual configuration. KDE Plasma is also available, so it gives you both a customizable desktop and a fairly GUI-focused management experience.
You can browse configuration files graphically with a file manager such as Dolphin. System-wide settings are commonly under /etc, while personal application settings are often under ~/.config. A graphical text editor can open those files, and many editors have a recent-files list so you don't have to repeatedly hunt them down. Just be careful when editing system files and make backups first.
KDE Plasma is probably the best fit. It exposes a huge amount of customization through its settings panels, and most major distributions offer a ready-made KDE edition. Debian KDE, Fedora KDE, Kubuntu, openSUSE, MX Linux KDE, and several others are all reasonable choices. Pick based on the distribution's update model and hardware support rather than expecting major differences in the desktop itself.
The centralized approach can be very convenient because you can organize and reuse your setup, but even small changes involve rebuilding the system. It is powerful, especially for sharing configurations, but it has a steeper learning curve than using KDE's graphical settings.