I'm trying to leave Windows for the second time and need help choosing the right Linux distribution. My last experience with Linux Mint was a complete disaster—I couldn't install certain software, which led to a lot of frustrating problems. I primarily use Steam for single-player games and DaVinci Resolve for video editing. Currently, I'm running a Ryzen 5 4600G, which is integrated, so I'm wondering how that might affect my options. I've heard mixed opinions about Pop!_OS, Ubuntu, and Fedora Workstation. I'm open to learning but don't want to spend all my time in the terminal. I'm looking for a stable distro that supports most software and drivers without too many hurdles.
5 Answers
I highly recommend Pop!_OS for its excellent support for DaVinci Resolve. The interface isn't very Windows-like, but it's intuitive once you get used to it. If you're feeling adventurous, try CachyOS with KDE; it's customizable and has a Windows-like feel, but setting up DaVinci Resolve might take some work. Also, both distributions handle Steam well—CachyOS has easy options to install all the gaming packages!
For a user-friendly experience out of the box, I suggest either Zorin OS or Pop!_OS. Zorin is specifically designed for those transitioning from Windows, so it should feel familiar. Pop!_OS is great for modern gaming and graphics; it’s built on Ubuntu, giving you plenty of community support. Either way, you’ll be set up for a smooth transition!
You might want to give Kubuntu a try! It's user-friendly and has a nice interface. I also think Mint has improved a lot over the years, so perhaps consider giving it another shot?
Have you thought about Arch Linux? It has everything you need in the AUR, including DaVinci Resolve. However, given your past experience with Linux Mint, you may want to tread carefully with Debian-based distros to avoid repeating mistakes. Also, remember that your Ryzen 5 4600G has integrated graphics, which is sufficient for many tasks but can limit you in a few demanding scenarios.
If you’re looking for stability, openSUSE is a good choice. It offers features like Btrfs, which allows you to roll back to previous states easily if something goes wrong. Plus, you can choose between Leap for stability or Tumbleweed for the latest updates. Either way, you won’t have to worry too much about breaking things!
Thanks for the recommendations! I've heard so much about Pop!_OS and it seems to be a great fit for gaming.