What is the best Linux distro
What is the best Linux distro
I've consistently favored enterprise-style operating systems for desktop use, with OpenSUSE and Fedora being my top choices. Fedora stands out especially as it perfectly aligns with my needs. It offers strong stability, the dnf package manager performs exceptionally, software stays current despite its release status, and Gnome 41 with extensions integrates smoothly into my workflow. Of course, I'm quite familiar with the terminal, and while I favor graphical interfaces, I rely on it regularly enough that I wouldn't suggest it for those who avoid direct terminal interaction. My daily tasks on Linux machines mainly involve academic work (computer science), programming, writing papers, and watching YouTube videos in my free time.
I chose Linux Mint with Cinnamon for my laptop. It works well and I’ve tailored its appearance to match my preferences. It’s a 6-year-old CrApple project, so I’ve given it a MacOS-like look but with a CrackApp vibe.
I'm gradually moving toward Fedora because of the excellent feedback (and Red Hat's performance). Linux Mint with Cinnamon feels fast, sleek, and user-friendly. The apps that came pre-installed were all useful—like the IRC client loaded with Linux Mint's help server, which is a great touch. Debian offers broad support, helping me maintain my VPN and other services smoothly. Gaming potential is also solid.
I took a tougher path but picked up fast. These aren't for those who avoid getting their hands messy, though I'm open to them. After years with Slackware, I grew weary of manually fixing dependency problems when software wasn't pre-installed. Relying on the Arch Wiki pushed me toward Arch, which I've used for over seven years now. Slackware offers solid stability and isn't overly experimental. Best suited for those who prefer a ready setup. Installing extra apps can be a bit cumbersome. Recently, I'm leaning toward Guix and OStree-based distros like Silverblue and SteamOS 3. OStree seems ideal for beginners, while declarative options such as GuixSD and NixOS could be mature in about a decade. Anyway, someone recommended this recently—it looks promising: https://distrochooser.de/en/
I've had my parents using Linux Mint Mate for over eight years without major issues. They mainly handle everyday tasks like email and document printing, and they occasionally watch YouTube. If that aligns with your needs, I can confirm it's a solid choice. Over the past decade, I've mostly used Gentoo. It's not something I'd suggest to beginners looking for a straightforward system. Have you spent time with Linux and enjoy seeing how your computer builds? Are you comfortable waiting while software installs? Do you like customizing your kernel? Are you eager to recompile it because of missing drivers or storage constraints? If so, Gentoo could be the right path for you.
You invested six months in Gentoo and nine and a half years in compilation.