Changing my operating system, but wondering where it goes... (Linux gaming context)
Changing my operating system, but wondering where it goes... (Linux gaming context)
Directly to the point, outside of work I’m trying to avoid windows. I enjoy playing games a lot and have some Linux experience, so I’d like to switch to it as my main OS sooner. Looking at popular options on the first page of Google—Ubuntu, Pop_OS, Mint, and Manjaro (Steam OS isn’t an option, needs to work as a desktop first). All the distros I’ve tried before (especially Mint) aren’t suited for gaming. Just asking if anyone has real experience and wants to recommend a good choice for gaming.
For similar setups, consider Ubuntu or Debian since they offer the best compatibility with Windows software. Manjaro isn’t recommended for this purpose. Setting up can take quite a while—around three days or more. For general use, if your main goal is cybersecurity, Kali Linux is ideal because it includes all the necessary penetration testing tools I’ve used before.
I use Manjaro as my primary operating system. I play games regularly, mostly single-player or multiplayer without anti-cheat. You should verify compatibility with ProtonDB or Lutris, or look for workarounds to ensure it works properly. I’d also consider adding Fedora to your list for broader options.
I've heard good things about Manjaro, aside from that comment. I actually enjoy its appearance as well. I currently have two USB drives prepared, one Pop_OS and another Manjaro. Proton has been tried and works well, while Lutris is something I've heard about but haven't tested yet. I won't move my desktop until I get FF14 installed on the laptop... so hoping it goes smoothly.
I'm considering Pop_OS and the initial drivers from Nvidia, which reduces my workload. As long as there isn't a strong rival in the market (at least in my view), we're on our side.
Choosing the proprietary driver option during the Manjaro boot process will automatically install the Nvidia driver.
Fedora and Popos are excellent choices; Popos are especially useful if you have a Nvidia GPU. It comes with drivers included, eliminating the need to install them yourself. I switched to Fedora recently for its simplicity and stability. It offers all the necessary packages and boasts one of the most efficient package managers I've used. I recommend giving both a test run to find what suits you best—I've enjoyed using Steam and Lutris on both platforms.
Interesting, it turns out I ended up going that route. I gave pop OS a try, but honestly, I didn’t feel the style I was after. Manjaro felt way more in line with what I wanted.