Consider Ubuntu, Fedora, or Arch Linux for versatile options.
Consider Ubuntu, Fedora, or Arch Linux for versatile options.
Initially I struggled with hard drives. Now I’m using a dedicated OS on an NVMe drive and storage devices, which is the goal.
I prefer Solus over Ubuntu Budgie. The desktop feels more reliable and responsive. Although the available repos are limited, they contain functional items and include popular tools such as Discord and Steam. Additionally, there’s no hassle managing PPAs for the newest graphics drivers.
Since nobody has mentioned this yet, there's a site that asks you questions and recommends distributions to you: https://distrochooser.de/en .
I requested suggestions, not instructions. You were kind, even if a bit dismissive.
If you're ready to invest some time, I suggest Arch + XFCE. I use it on my HTPC where Kodi launches automatically at startup and also starts Firefox or YouTube through Ice from Kodi. The advantage is it only uses 294mb before Kodi begins. It's quite lightweight, and with XFCE+ Arc Theme it looks very tidy. I prefer other distros because they tend to be too heavy, while Manjaro + XFCE uses over 760mb initially and Mint was around 700+. Arch requires a bit of setup but offers great value. After installing the desktop environment, add the LTS kernel so you won't face frequent crashes.
I recently moved to Manjaro and am really enjoying it. It works quite smoothly in most situations.
You asked a tough question. It might help to watch videos and look up details about the software you use. Find out how to set it up—this will show which option suits you best. DEs are worth exploring because they significantly improve the user experience. I’m aware Ubuntu runs GNOME, Pop!_OS and ElementaryOS also run on Ubuntu-based systems. Manjaro offers many DEs, but the frequent updates made me hesitant. Currently I’m using Pop!_OS on my machine, and the interfaces are very appealing. However, if you’re worried about working with the terminal, maybe Linux isn’t the best fit for you. What led you to think about switching to Linux?
I understand, I rely on the terminal because it’s necessary. Most things without clear instructions tend to fail. I’m mainly looking for a solid Windows alternative if I ever need to move away from Microsoft. I also dislike the watermark in Windows 10 and don’t want to pay for a license key or modify it.