Excellent compatibility with systems running Windows 11.
Excellent compatibility with systems running Windows 11.
I tried this on a first-gen Core laptop, and the situation was just as confusing as before. When looking for distribution options, it remained a bit overwhelming. I ended up choosing Mint Cinnamon, which functions well. Occasionally I encounter two distinct installation methods for software, but I’m not sure what the differences are. Overall, it runs fine as a general desktop, and I even managed to install Steam. There’s discussion about some Linux distros phasing out support for older hardware, so that could still matter when deciding.
Linux Mint is quite solid. It's the straightforward distro I suggest to anyone seeking a Linux experience. openSUSE needs x86-64-V2 or higher, while RHEL and Rocky Linux need even more, specifically x86-64-V3. I'm not sure if Ubuntu will ever adopt that, but if it does, LMDE might become obsolete. If Debian starts enforcing V2, all Mint releases would follow.
Ubuntu has been evaluating x86_64-v3 versions for roughly two years, it's hard to picture them making it into any future updates. Assuming you stay on LTS, I expect another five years after Ubuntu 26.04 (April 2026). Mint will likely follow the current LTS, meaning at least two years from 26.04 should pass. Debian might be the last to stick around, especially since they recently stopped supporting 32-bit releases.
It's likely from over 20 years ago, which is great. I wish someone had created an easy-to-use A xBSD. I hoped for PC-BSD, but it didn't come to be. Linux seems like a solid choice—maybe around 600 different distros! Wow, Nvidia now has a control system for Wayland.
In x86_64-v3 compatibility, support for features before Intel's Haswell (2013) and AMD's Excavator (2015) is limited. Recently, Intel introduced Atoms in 2021, which also lacks compatibility with RHEL, while Red Hat/CentOS pointed out Atoms' issues as early as 2023. CachyOS has been the main adopter so far, but other major distributions are testing it, such as Ubuntu and Fedora. Most mainstream distros may drop support for legacy features unless they can adapt.
Finding the right option can be tough due to the vast selection available. I prefer something straightforward yet capable of providing solid support. Less mainstream choices might not be ideal unless you're looking for a specialized solution. Throughout my experience, I've experimented with Slackware, SUSE, Ubuntu, Manjaro, Mint, and several others that have faded from memory. Beyond UNIX-based systems, I've also tried Solaris and various BSD variants. It's clear I'd rather settle for reliable performance without constant hassle.
I haven't explored many operating systems. Mostly Ubuntu, PopOS, Manjaro, and a few others... I'm settled now and have been using Spoiler for two years.