Which linux distro?
Which linux distro?
Hi there! It sounds like you're exploring different options for your dual-boot setup. Since you're already comfortable with Mint on your laptop, you might want to consider Ubuntu as well—especially since you're focused on programming and development tasks. The issue with the specs you mentioned (like the HDD and RAM) is common when switching between distros, so double-check those components before finalizing. If you're looking for a balance of stability and usability, Ubuntu 18.04 or 20 might be a solid choice. Let me know if you'd like more details!
Live videos often face challenges from graphics drivers that aren't fully compatible with the final setup. This can happen because they rely on generic drivers instead of the appropriate ones. Besides that, various desktop environments might encounter more issues than others, so you might want to explore alternatives using different drivers. You could also switch distributions—openSUSE or Debian are good options.
I prefer Fedora, especially GTK-based ones like Xfce or Qt. It's reliable, developed by a top company, and gets updates often. I've been using it for about a year, and if you don't like it, switching to a more stable distro such as Debian, openSUSE (which now offers rolling releases), or Ubuntu would be a good option.
I'll add a +1 to my Fedora account here. Remember this tip: place your /home folder on a separate partition (most Linux versions come with an installer that makes this simple), so if you get tired of one distribution, you can reinstall it on the root partition, point it to the /home partition (without formatting), and easily switch between distros without losing your files.