Looking for some fresh options? Here are a few suggestions you might find useful.
Looking for some fresh options? Here are a few suggestions you might find useful.
I typically use Windows on my desktop and laptop, but I’m curious about testing other OS options. I just set up CloudReady’s Chrome OS version, which is really well-made. Which Linux distributions match that role? They should be lightweight, modern, and user-friendly—perfect for your hardware: 8th gen i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 1920x1080 resolution.
It's a unique situation. ChromeOS holds its ground in its specific area, and it doesn't come close to other options in the broader "web browsing and simple app work" space. That said... Linux Mint could be an alternative, though it really depends on the desktop environment you choose.
Chrome OS has made significant progress or follows Cloudready’s approach, but it runs inside a Linux container. This opens up many possibilities. I’ll try Mint. Which distribution do you prefer? I watched Linus’s video and thought it was a bit too unique. That’s why I highlighted Linux distributions. Still, I’m giving Mint a chance—it looks promising.
The most polished setup is Deepin, but for a smoother experience you might prefer Manjaro or Arch. Just install Manjaro and use `sudo pacman -S deepin deepin-extra` from the terminal. It will appear as an option when logging in. It looks absolutely stunning—truly one of the most attractive desktop environments available, surpassing Windows, Mac, or any other Linux DE out of the box. That said, Linux DEs can also achieve a very appealing appearance, particularly with KDE.
If you love personalization, KDE could be the perfect choice for your setup. It offers stunning visuals. On my gaming machine, I use Arch Linux as my desktop environment. For those who value smooth transitions and blur effects, steer clear of Cinnamon, XFCE, and likely GNOME. KDE (and possibly Budgie) stands out with its global menu extension/widget feature—especially visible in Dolphin’s file explorer on my second monitor.
It seems like you're enjoying the design but might not want to go all in. Windows is definitely a strong choice for you!