Linux distributions ideal for gaming, personalization, and cloud storage include Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch Linux.
Linux distributions ideal for gaming, personalization, and cloud storage include Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch Linux.
Hey there, I guess I’m still figuring this out, but honestly I’m frustrated by how Windows keeps getting heavier and heavier. The more updates I install, the more my hardware gets damaged—like when the fingerprint reader on my laptop stops working. Right now I’m using a laptop with an i7 processor, integrated graphics, 8GB RAM, and a 2TB SSD. I’m trying to ease out of Windows gradually, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the effort since I’ve already upgraded it and don’t have much money left.
I’m thinking about switching to a desktop, maybe by finding a cheaper machine at a local auction or a university sale. But the catch is that getting the same performance might cost me hundreds before I even buy a decent graphics card. Right now I rely on a USB hub for my peripherals—keyboard, mouse, headset, monitor—and it works fine enough.
My main concerns are: 1) Linux drivers and performance issues, 2) spending a lot on upgrades, and 3) not having the budget or time to learn everything. I’m okay with coding, file management, Excel, Word, PDFs, gaming (especially WOW and Minecraft), Discord, League of Legends, and some Steam games. I also use OneDrive for cloud storage.
I’ve noticed that some people use Arch Linux with Cinnamon and Wine to run Windows apps smoothly. That might be a good path if I want to keep using Windows but avoid the hassle. But I’m not sure how to set it up properly, and I’m worried about compatibility.
For file sharing, I’m considering Proton Drive from Proton Mail—it might work with Linux. I also have an old NAS running Ubuntu that’s slow for local speeds, so upgrading it would be a big deal.
If I could, I’d want to personalize my desktop with live wallpapers and maybe install Rain Meter for editing. It would really help me stay productive and customize the look.
I’m not sure if this is the right move, but I think it’s worth exploring if it helps me save money and time in the long run. Thanks for your help!
I intend to test dual boot a bit before committing fully. For my future in computer science, working entirely on Linux seems advantageous since I’ll have less need to learn Windows. You’re probably right—I might give it a try for a short period and then regret it.
WoW runs perfectly with Lutris and Minecraft has a native release, making gaming almost effortless. Many recommend Ubuntu/Mint/Pop OS, but I’d prefer Manjaro since Ubuntu-based options haven’t worked well for me and I dislike them. The main issue is that full MS Office isn’t available on Linux, and OneDrive seems problematic too.
So I think there's those libre based built in application I could use, I've never used them but I'm aware of them and they'd probably do the trick. Could you explain how the whole 2 distros thing works, being a novice at best I'm just seeing whole lot of youtube videos where they're like "alright so today we're testing arch, here's my linux mint desktop". Sounds like it's quite possible I'll just have to play around till I get it to work.
It's reassuring to hear the drivers aren't as problematic as I anticipated.
LibreOffice would function well, along with Google Suite or other online Office options. The most noticeable difference between systems like Pop OS, Ubuntu, or Manjaro usually comes from the included desktop environment—the visual style and user experience. If I were you, I’d test them all on a live USB, remembering you can always tweak or personalize the desktop settings.
It seems you're wondering if distros-test.com offers a reliable testing environment and whether there might be an issue with it.