Help me pick a distro!
Help me pick a distro!
I acknowledge your concerns. I've been attempting to transition to Linux across multiple distributions. So far, Linux Mint appears to be the most reliable option for me. It operates as a static/LTS system, which means it typically doesn't adopt new tech as a continuous release. I previously used Linux Mint 17 with a dual-boot setup, and LM 19 on my NUC Gen 7 also worked smoothly after an upgrade—no major hiccups so far. It's been stable for months without needing a reboot. LM 17 caused significant trouble; even after extensive research, it remained unreliable until I found a solution in the community forums. Recently, I switched to Fedora with Cinnamon, which was a complete failure for me. The default GNOME version didn't suit my preferences, and trying Manjaro led to boot failures despite multiple attempts. Reinstalling LM 20.2 resolved the issue quickly. My desktop presented its own challenges—my Nvidia 2080 Super would freeze after hours, requiring a reboot. I managed to get the terminal working with Ctrl+Alt+F2, but the GUI remained unresponsive with Ctrl+Alt+F7. The driver update seemed to fix it. For those with GPUs, the Nvidia support has been inconsistent. Coming from Windows 7, Cinnamon felt more familiar, though I regret not sticking with it longer. I opted for LM because it was rooted in Ubuntu, which offered better community backing at the time. The NUC is currently trouble-free. My laptop is fully functional, and the desktop issues have mostly been resolved after driver updates. There will be times when terminal access is necessary, but I'm taking more advanced steps than most users suggest. Ultimately, it depends heavily on your hardware and needs. Someone recommended Fedora earlier; I tried Fedora Core before the name change, and it worked well on my laptop back then. If you're seeking a solution, consider what matters most to you and don't upgrade unless newer versions are fully supported.
Sorry for the long quote, I'm on my mom's phone. I gave mint a chance and it turned out to be pretty bad. It got corrupted and I ended up installing something else. It was either version 19 or 20, actually, I think it switched from 19 to 20 while I was using it. What GUI does cinnamon use? A lot of people suggested OpenSUSE Leap, I'm thinking giving it a try, but I need to choose a GUI and don't really understand the difference between KDE and XFCE (I just don't like GNOME).
Not inexpensive, combining the Pi 400 (Atari Pi?) with shipping costs more than minimum wage here. Appreciate it, but I’d rather dual boot. I need the portability of a notebook and my machine runs Windows 10 (ok for gaming if I really push it). I’ll get the Pi ST when it’s released, though.
It makes sense if cost is a factor and you prefer a laptop over a desktop. You don’t need a Raspberry Pi for this purpose; buying a case won’t turn it into a powerful machine. Instead, stick with Windows 10 and run Linux through WSL. The team here loves it—installation is smooth, and you get a Ubuntu terminal inside Windows with full access to your files and all the Linux tools you need.
This suggests you need to start Windows before using Linux. You prefer Linux for its speed, stability, and lack of forced updates. Starting Windows first aligns with your preference.
Absolutely, this approach fits well with what you're aiming for. If that's your target, I'm in agreement with @Sauron's suggestion—Debian seems like a solid choice. It gives you reliability without unnecessary complications. Plus, the stability of Raspberry Pi OS comes from its Debian foundation, adjusted for your specific hardware. For a straightforward desktop experience, Debian is definitely worth considering.
I've been using Linux/Unix since RedHat 4 in the 90s. You're correct... Linux isn't great. Windows is worse, but it's not much better either. Personally, I still prefer Unix for my systems.
1. MacOS - Unix-based, but it has its downsides. It mostly functions and you don't have to stress over it unless you choose to.
2. FreeBSD - Great server OS. On the desktop, if you're willing to customize and skip games, it's manageable.
3. Gentoo - Not ideal system, but it offers a lot of flexibility. I usually aim for something close to FreeBSD. If not, I'll just use Ubuntu and accept the trade-offs.
I spend all day working on these platforms and want to keep them stable when I get back home.
Thread cleaned – When you can't or don't want to assist, just proceed.
Regarding bugs and updates, older or less updated Linux software generally has more issues. Choosing a long-term stable release might reduce new problems but won’t solve past ones. On my desktop experience, frequent releases usually mean fewer everyday bugs compared to other distributions like Debian stable. For GUI package managers, I personally prefer avoiding them because they add extra abstraction and often cause hard-to-find issues. Of course, my understanding comes from the early 2000s, but it still seems accurate: not enough tech-savvy users report problems in a usable way. Mastering basic commands isn’t difficult, and I believe it’s the most useful skill I’ve gained on Linux. It really helps clarify what went wrong. Still, diving into the command line can be quite a mental challenge.