this post was submitted on 02 Nov 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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All distros should do this equally well, and better than Windows
All distros will be more or less the same. Games generally work or they dont. Check ProtonDB to see which games work and how well.
This is how distros actually differ.
Some common suggestions:
Ubuntu LTS:
Kubuntu LTS:
Ubuntu/Kubuntu current:
Linux Mint:
Fedora
Pop!_OS
I do not reccomend ~~Bazzite~~, Kali, Arch, Manjaro, Garuda, Debian, or Slackware. They are all great distros for specific use-cases, but they are all significantly more work to configure and/or maintain than the suggestions i've outlined.
I haven't tried Nobara so i cant recommend it, but from the outside it looks fine for a gaming desktop.
Edit: I have mixed feelings on Bazzite, but it might also be a good option for someone feeling adventurous
As a counterpoint, I installed Bazzite on a Blade 14 for a heavy gaming friend who was leaving Windows, and they have had no issues whatsoever.
I personally use Bluefun, and again, no issues at all. Incredibly good experiences on both.
I can't imagine what you mean by needing more work to configure, they both worked out of the box with no configuration.
I just don't see the draw of immutable distros for non power users.
With traditional ubuntu/mint/fedora you have 15+ years of forum posts, tutorials, and community wisdom to help you out if you get stuck. You probably wont need to, but it's nice to be able to just google something and get a dozen good answers. If you want to use containerized apps you also have that option.
Also depending on your taste in gaming, you might need access to stuff outside of steam/lutris/heroic/flathub. In those cases getting your game working could be a bit of a hassle compared to a traditional distro.
I totally see how immutability can be a draw for tinkerers and developers, but for regular users it's solving a problem that doesn't really exist, or is pretty rare if it does.
I also think there is something to say for picking a distro that's been around a long while. Hopefully Bazzite is still around in 10 years. I feel very confident Ubuntu/Mint/Fedora/Pop! still will be.
That said, I'm glad to hear you and your friend are happy with Bazzite. It seems like a really good option if you only play games from steam/heroic/lutris/flathub. A best of both worlds between a PC and a gaming console.
The draw is that you cannot screw them up. Non-power users are the ones who will get the most out of them!
I know that I'll never get a call from my friend saying, "I ran this command I found on an Ubuntu forum, and now my system won't boot..."
Good counterpoint
It's certainly safer though one can probably still do some damage in /etc, if determined.