Choose a Linux distribution as an alternative to Windows.
Choose a Linux distribution as an alternative to Windows.
Hey there! I'm exploring Linux as my go-to system. Windows has worked well for most tasks but I'm feeling the strain from its privacy concerns and constant tracking needs. I plan to start with an older PC and then upgrade my main machine. What distros should I consider?
Test PC: R7 2700 32gbs DDR4 3000mhz 2060 super 8gb 120gb sata ssd
Main PC: R9 7950X 64gbs DDR5 5600mhz 7900xt 1tb NVMe SSD
I need a Linux distribution that supports Adobe Suite, Nord VPN, and most other software. I'm looking for something reliable and robust—having experience with Linux already, but haven't fully replaced Windows yet. Any advice or recommendations would be really helpful. Thanks!
If this is a hard requirement I'd forget linux. Wine and other emulation isn't great for this use case, and your probably much better off dual booting or sticking with a officially supported OS for these programs. Especially if you need current versions to work on a team with. I'd argue distro probably won't matter thant much, go with a big one. I'd probably go debian, but thats me. Put a DE on it you like. Get mint if you want debian like but with a gui installer.
I also suggest trying Bazzite, but definitely connect to the Bazzite Discord for assistance with atomic desktop issues. For instance, Nord VPN's install script doesn't function properly. You'll need to add a file named nordvpn.repo in /etc/yum.repos.d and include these lines: [nordvpn] name=NordVPN baseurl=https://repo.nordvpn.com/yum/nordvpn/centos/x86_64/ enabled=1 gpgcheck=1 gpgkey=https://repo.nordvpn.com/gpg/nordvpn_public.asc. Then proceed with the usual rpm-ostree install: nordvpn. If the Adobe suite is essential, set up a separate Windows installation. I advise using a distinct drive for that to avoid dual-boot complications and enable launching Windows directly from BIOS when needed. Alternatively, tools like Davinci Resolve are suitable for video editing, and you can install it via the "ujust install-resolve" command which simplifies the process.
In short, the choice of distribution really has little impact. For most users, the key differences come down to what comes pre-installed—especially the desktop environment—and how fresh the software is in the repositories or package formats. Beyond those points, most distributions feel quite similar from a user’s point of view. However, some make the experience more challenging due to their decisions in these areas. Many recommend Ubuntu for beginners, but I don’t think that’s the best fit for me. I need Ubuntu on my workstation for IT/compliance, and it’s been the most frustrating Linux system I’ve used recently. The mix of snaps and traditional packages is confusing, and the shift toward immutable filesystems in future releases adds to the hassle. Their point-release approach makes updating software tricky, especially for newcomers, and can risk instability. I find the system overly complicated—not necessarily because it wants to be minimal, but because it feels cumbersome. Today, Linux leans more toward servers, with desktops often overlooked. I’d prefer Pop!_OS for beginners. It handles Nvidia drivers better, offers a solid set of default apps, usually has newer software versions, avoids snaps, and makes Steam/Proton setup much smoother. The default setup feels natural, which is impressive compared to other distros I use. I no longer use it personally (I’m a Debian user), but I still suggest it to newcomers.
Also, note: your system uses a 7000-series Radeon card. Debian isn’t compatible with the latest AMD firmware, so you’ll face significant issues there. Even though AMD works well in Linux, getting it to run smoothly on Debian is still a challenge. I spent some time trying to get my new card working on Debian, but it wasn’t perfect.
The adobe suite is accessible via the web, meaning any browser should work. Unless you need to install it immediately. I haven't used it in years, but I do have a version on my Android tablet. You might be able to replicate it using an app. For NordVPN or similar services, simply add the extension to your browser. Alternatively, you can configure it through a setup process. Which Linux distributions are suitable? Solid choices include Linux Mint, OpenSUSE, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, etc. Linux has improved significantly. Windows makes me uneasy, so I opted for layered security and protection.