I'm looking to transition to Linux and I want to know which distro to choose that fits my needs. I'm currently set up for a dual boot since I have Windows 11 on an isolated NVME drive. I've got 450GB unallocated for Linux. From what I've seen, Linux Mint seems to be the go-to for beginners, but I've heard that many later move to Arch after getting familiar, despite its complexities. I'm curious about Arch and would like to know more! Also, I like the aesthetic of Pop!_OS, and I've been recommended to try NixOS for its appearance, especially with the Hyprland window manager, which I find visually appealing. My questions are: 1. Can I use Hyprland with Mint? 2. How customizable is Mint? 3. If I choose Pop!_OS, will I face compatibility issues? 4. Can I switch distros easily later on? I want to avoid a situation where I put in too much effort only to end up frustrated, like what happened when I struggled with Bluetooth on Ubuntu. I'm using an i7-8700K, GTX 1060 OC, and 16GB RAM, and I'm mostly into casual gaming, React development, and using Obsidian for notes. Thanks!
5 Answers
You can definitely use Hyprland on Mint! The distro mainly determines your package manager, but you can mix and match DEs. Mint is flexible, and you can install both Cinnamon and Hyprland to get familiar with both environments.
Mint is really user-friendly. After installing it, you'll be able to dual boot with Windows. But just remember to disable Secure Boot; it can cause issues with Linux booting. Also, managing hibernation settings is essential to avoid booting problems later.
If you're worried about compatibility with Pop!_OS, usually it's pretty good for various hardware setups. Each distro does have its quirks but transitioning to another one later should be smooth if you have them on separate drives. Having dedicated drives for Windows and Linux definitely reduces any friction in the long run. You might also consider virtual machines if you want a low-friction testing ground.
Those are excellent tips! I’ll think about the drive setup.
While Mint is a solid choice for new users, you might find Arch a bit too advanced at first. A better stepping stone could be Manjaro, which is based on Arch but way easier to install and use. Plus, it comes with a nice selection of packages out of the box. Fedora is also a strong contender if you want stability with customization.
Linux Mint is great for simplicity, especially if you stick with Cinnamon or XFCE. If you're looking for more customization without the Arch complexity, consider trying Fedora with KDE; it’s a nice balance. Also, CachyOS is user-friendly and lets you customize everything by choosing any desktop environment at the start.
That sounds good! I want customization without the hassle too, so I'll check out those options.
Nice! I just hope the setup isn’t too messy, though.