I'm feeling quite uncertain about this setup. I'm not sure if dual booting is the best path, even though it has its pros. Without dual boot, I'm replacing my SSD with Windows on an empty one and adding Linux. But I still need to delete the second drive that holds my games and media. Without enough space there, replacing it would be tough. Should I reinstall the data drive after installing Linux? Or is there another way to handle it? Also, I have several Linux options but want advice. My machine is an Asus ROG Strix G17 with an AMD CPU, Nvidia GPU, and 32GB DDR5 RAM.
Considering your needs, Linux offers alternatives for those requiring Windows applications. Are there specific programs that only function well on Linux, or do they perform better there? If not, troubleshooting might become necessary. This approach works as long as you manage expectations. You might also find WSL2 useful if you need certain Linux tools alongside Windows software. Regarding your gaming plans, it depends on whether you prefer Linux or Windows for that purpose. Which Linux applications interest you most? Some are only available on particular distributions, so the ideal choice depends on your requirements. Your system hardware also influences the best option. I generally recommend stable distros like Debian or its user-friendly versions such as MX Linux KDE. I don’t favor Ubuntu, Mint, or Arch unless you’re seeking the newest features. Unless you need cutting-edge updates, sticking within a few degrees of a major distro (Debian, Arch, Fedora) is reasonable.
It seems you're looking for a Linux alternative that matches Windows functionality without the extra steps. I appreciate your feedback and suggestions, but it appears there might be a bit of a mix-up in expectations. I’m not aiming to set up a dual-boot situation, as that would complicate things unnecessarily. If there are solid reasons for a Linux setup, it could definitely simplify your experience. Regarding updates, disabling them on Windows 11 is tricky—most tools claim they can, but in practice it doesn’t work reliably. Storage concerns are valid too; you’ll need to decide how Linux handles your drives. I’m open to exploring options like PikaOS or Bazzite, but I’d prefer a straightforward choice without extra configuration. Let me know if you’d like more details on any of these paths.
Standard Fedora KDE Plasma offers greater flexibility than Bazzite. Incorporate the rpmfusion repositories for most commercial drivers. It delivers more current kernel versions than Ubuntu LTS, and many well-known applications are available as .deb or .rpm packages (Fedora prefers the latter).
Priorities, man... Visual look comes first. I don’t need icons on my desktop—just a button to open and close menus and apps, plus a background image. I also dislike how many Linux distros look alike to Windows menus; it feels too generic. For instance, Pika seems to lack a proper taskbar. I appreciate the minimalism, but can I hide or remove it if I don’t like the appearance? Also, note that some apps look great on Windows but should be minimized or removed. My typical desktop includes a bunch of apps like Steam, Steam Recording, Nvidia Shadowplay, Windows Media Player, 7zip, GIMP, Paint, 3D Photos, Capcut, Shutter, Hwinfo64, and more. I want everything gone or reduced to just the essentials.
I understand. It seems you were unsure about this. For most private use, Linux can function well. Games and some hardware or software that controls the hardware (like mouse button programming) can be limiting. You’ve likely already tried or can quickly discover this. Keep the storage drive out during installation for safety, then reinstall it afterward. Linux supports NFTS files. You might want to skip the W11 option if you rethink things. Instead of relying on those special tools, you can adjust settings yourself and revert if needed—this is the Linux approach. Unless you use an LTSC, you can’t completely bypass updates. The best way is to test on your own hardware to see which distribution fits. Linux varies too much to make general statements. Follow the Nvidia guidelines for your specific distro. A distribution that supports rolling updates and kernel backports has a higher chance of success. Or consider a rolling distro like Fedora, which is only partially rolling.
Hyprland is a stylish search tool (customizable as you want), i3 is straightforward, and Fedora offers a built-in version.
I understand... And I'll handle the hard drive next. It seems like some distributions perform better with Nvidia than others, right? But I'm leaning toward starting with Bazzite—it feels more straightforward to set up and it includes a rollback feature, which could be useful if things go wrong. There are two main perspectives: some users praise its stability over months without major problems, while others prefer other distros for reasons that don't really resonate with me.
I also just got hyprland Pika OS, though it didn’t give me much info. I found the desktop a bit more appealing than Niri Pika OS... I guess I’m used to minimal customization, which is a drawback. Still, I hope it functions well and serves as a simple starting point (maybe). If not, I’ll probably give the hip cool ricer a shot next!