Hey everyone! My laptop, which has been serving me well for about 6-7 years, needs a refresh since Windows 10 is nearing its end of support. It's frustrating because it has a Ryzen 3 2200U processor that doesn't meet the requirements for Windows 11, while even an Intel Celeron does. I've been curious about Linux distros ever since we touched on Ubuntu in my high school computer class. I tried out DistroSea to get a feel for a few options like Mint, Ubuntu, and Fedora.
I'm mainly looking to use the laptop for emulating PS2 games, playing some older games, doing word processing, and watching movies. I would really appreciate any suggestions or inputs you might have. Here are my laptop specs: Ryzen 3 2200U, Radeon Vega mobile graphics, 16 GB RAM, 250 GB SSD (970 Evo), and 500 GB SSD (Kingston). Thanks in advance for your help!
4 Answers
For ease of use, Linux Mint is a solid choice. But if you're looking for something more stable, Debian might be right for you. It really depends on what you prioritize: ease or stability!
Honestly, any of the mainline distros should run great on your laptop! If you know someone who's into Linux, maybe see what they use and give it a go. Just so you know, the reason Windows 11 won't work is due to the TPM requirement, not your laptop’s specs.
Definitely check out Linux Mint! It’s designed for first-time users and is really user-friendly. If you prefer something a bit different, Ubuntu with Gnome plus the Dash to Panel extension is modern and slick. I personally use PopOS and love it. You can also keep Windows on your laptop if you want a dual-boot setup. Don't forget to try it out with a Live USB first to see what you like!
Hey! It's awesome that you're wanting to switch to Linux. I always recommend Linux Mint for beginners because it has a similar feel to Windows—no need to dive into the terminal unless you want to! Plus, there's a huge community around it, which is super helpful. Just try out a few distros and stick with the one you like. Enjoy your Linux journey!
Thanks for clarifying that! It's good to know it's not the hardware itself that's holding me back.