I'm thinking about making the switch from Windows to Linux. I've played around a bit with Ubuntu and Arch in virtual machines and found them quite enjoyable. However, I'm still fairly new to Linux and eager to make it my main operating system since Windows feels so bloated and overall unsatisfactory. I'd like to use Linux mainly for day-to-day tasks. I'm ready to tackle a steep learning curve if it leads to a rewarding experience. For reference, I have 8GB of RAM, an Intel Core i5-8400 CPU, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 GPU.
3 Answers
It's hard to recommend just one distro without knowing your needs better. Debian is reliable, but if you just want a user-friendly experience, Linux Mint or Zorin OS will get you up and running quick. Just be cautious about customization; it can sometimes lead to more troubleshooting than you might want for daily use.
If you want something that works out of the box with minimal headaches, consider Aurora. It's beginner-friendly and comes loaded with everything you'll need. If gaming is on your mind, check out Bazzite. I’m using it on lower specs than yours and it runs just fine!
When choosing a distro, you should think about what you want to achieve. If you want something stable and ready for daily use right away, Debian is a solid choice. If you're into trying out the latest software, Fedora might be your jam. But if you want to dive into customization, you could try a minimal version of Debian with a tiling window manager. If you're just starting out, it's worth checking out Zorin OS or Linux Mint as they'll ease you into Linux pretty smoothly. Emailing over to Distrowatch can also reveal cool options!
I've heard good things about Linux Mint for beginners too!
Got it, I'll consider sticking with something user-friendly to start!