Consider your needs carefully.
Consider your needs carefully.
Hey there! I just finished my first build and posted it in the build forum. Now I have a pre-built HP with an i7 6700 and am considering trying Linux. Anyone have experience with it? What distros do people recommend as a good starting point? I also set up a VM on my MacBook using Linux Mint 18.1—it worked well in theory but had some issues with the VM software and on my Mac itself.
You could try Manjaro Cinnamon or Mint Cinnamon for a Windows feel. Elementary OS suits Mac users, while Gnome 3 or Ubuntu fits Android preferences. For a fresh start, consider installing Arch Linux from scratch.
Linux Mint had some issues, especially with software compatibility and customization options. For users seeking a smooth experience with strong community support, Ubuntu is a solid choice. If you prefer a look similar to Windows, consider KDE or Cinnamon-based desktops. KDE offers high customization but may have GTK limitations, while Cinnamon provides a Windows-like feel. MATE, XFCE, and LXDE are lightweight alternatives. KDE’s software store can be tricky to navigate, but its Discover app is improving. For simplicity, lighter options like MATE, XFCE, or LXDE work well. If you're new to Linux, it might be best to start with a more feature-rich distro. GTK and Qt are useful tools, but they don’t always integrate seamlessly across all desktop environments.
It seemed more like a Virtual Box experience than Linux Mint, with some minor problems on YouTube.
Virtual Box allows working with a single core, but using multiple cores splits one thread. This can cause performance drops on Windows or Linux, making things feel unstable. Try a USB stick and boot the live version for a test.
I’d avoid Ubuntu or similar distros unless you’re comfortable with the learning curve. The documentation is poor, and troubleshooting can be frustrating. Consider Antergos instead—it’s simpler than Ubuntu and offers good options for desktop environments like Gnome or Cinnamon. The Arch Wiki is very helpful if you run into issues.
For gaming, Arch Linux provides better performance due to updated drivers. A small used SSD is also a good idea for testing.
If you’re serious about gaming, "wine-gaming-nine" is a solid choice with decent DirectX support. CrossOver is impressive, supports Office 2013, and works well, though it requires extra space for its Wine libraries. If you’re ready to invest, it’s a powerful option.
Ubuntu relies on unity and its powerful components, so perhaps lxde could boost performance.
Unity isn't overly demanding and shouldn't noticeably impact your FPS unless you're running out of RAM. The same applies to KDE and Gnome. I haven't observed this happening. When I'm looking for a solution, it usually appears in the top search results since Ubuntu is widely used. If it doesn't appear there, the task I'm attempting is complex and would be just as challenging on another distribution. Additionally, updating drivers for Ubuntu is straightforward. I'm not discouraging you from using Antergos, but Ubuntu offers the simplest entry point.
Unity consumes slightly more memory than LXDE, but it doesn't impact frame rate. Give it a try and see for yourself. Check your system monitor—all Unity tasks are showing 0% CPU usage.