Switching to Linux, any questions?
Switching to Linux, any questions?
I've been aiming to switch to Linux permanently for a long time now, doing it steadily over the years. I want to commit and stop changing platforms. I'm quite skilled with Linux, the command line, and technical stuff. My main concern is whether Arch Linux is the right choice for me. The reason is the growing involvement of Proton and Steam in Linux development. Should I go Arch because it was built from scratch there? Or would everything function if I used a different kernel?
Regarding performance and gaming, I know some distros are optimized for these areas. I want something that runs smoothly and is great for gaming, fast and responsive across all tasks. I also need a solid desktop setup that’s easy to use.
I’m unsure if I can switch without issues, but I’d like minimal disruption. I’ve experienced Windows problems before, so I prefer stability. I don’t want frequent reboots or crashes, especially since I rely heavily on Linux for daily use. I’m open to a GUI or just a simple terminal setup with one command for updates and installations—something that doesn’t require multiple steps.
Please let me know if you have any more details. 
It could be CachyOS—it runs quickly and is built on Arch. Give it a try, and if it works for you, you'll love it.
Arch isn’t fixed in place, so if that’s what you need it for, I’d steer clear. You’ll also have to set everything up yourself. If you want Bluetooth, be prepared to invest a lot of time fixing things. The downside is that most features don’t come out of the box and you’ll spend a lot of effort troubleshooting. Using Electron apps or Steam will be tough. Setting up games is also tricky—it takes some time to get everything working. It’s much simpler to switch to Bazzite, CachyOS, Manjaro, or another OS and get it configured until it feels right. Honestly, I don’t have clear advice, but I’m not sure I’d suggest Arch unless you’re comfortable with the hassle.
That's reasonable, I also use Arch and I'm in agreement. You can store your configuration files to make the process faster for things like your WM.
I don’t own top-tier gaming gear (especially the latest Nvidia models), yet I’ve never faced any problems with Arch. Bluetooth functions properly, Electron and Steam operate smoothly, and desired games run as expected. CachyOS appeals to me since it’s being considered for Arch users. I might explore its repository for packages on Arch—potentially risky—but it compiles with better compiler optimizations. For lighter setups, a regular distro should suffice. If issues arise, AI assists in troubleshooting. However, if you aim for a refined Linux experience, consider more advanced distros like Bazzite, Fedora, or Linux Mint. Are you referring to Flatpak or Snap? Ubuntu mandates Snap, while Flatpak is optional.
I begin with Linux: Redhat, Debian, Debian, Ubuntu, and now: Debian 13 Trixie with KDE. This is probably the best distro I own for my main desktop—stable, fast, but just a suggestion for anyone considering Linux. Use proper hardware, not an old computer, and at least 2 GB RAM.
It's still acceptable for binary distributions, but it becomes problematic when compiling on your own system. I installed EndeavourOS (arch-based) on an 11" MacBook Air because building for Gentoo was really difficult. It runs a 2c/4t 2.5GHz Broadwell i5 with 4GB RAM and works perfectly. MX Linux is even more suitable for older hardware like this—it's Debian-based, comes with XFCE by default, and KDE Plasma is also an option.
Not designed to stay fixed. When issues arise I can jump into a live environment, change my context, and repair things. There seems to be more work needed for keeping or setting up an unchangeable setup. Perhaps not. Pamac offers the chance to turn on AUR, Flatpak and Snap together with Pacman, plus a graphical interface. Only for Arch it's the main package manager for Manjaro. You can add it via AUR. I don't really suggest turning on Snap and Flatpak, both tend to be complicated.