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submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by LynxIsInvicible@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

Hello,
Basically I want to pick a distro and like most beginners I'm coming from windows. I don't want to go on a full learning process from the start but I can probably handle some level of terminal usage. I, like most people play games(or thinking about playing games and it's one of main things I'm looking into but because this isn't the only thing I'm thinking of doing and do)

So here's what I'm looking for to give a good idea,

-Can play steam games(since steam is compatible, this is mostly always checked(I think))
-Can play other games outside steam(like from GOG where you download the setup. Heard about apps like "bottles" but idk how good it will be)
-Video editing softwares (Resolve works but I might want to use another)
-Can run a CAD software(I do like designing and stuff so I do look forward for this(I have used some on windows and don't know how its will be in linux. I know blender works but it's more of a modeling than CAD))
-Programming(I don't think this will be a problem)
-Microsoft like apps(Spreadsheet and stuff, Just need to be able to do work)
-Not sure if this is needed but I do sail the seven seas sometimes

My laptop has these if details are needed for compatibility
-GTX 1050(dedicated)
-intel i7 8th gen
-Intel UHD 630(integrated)

I heard a distro called "Pop! OS" which supports Nvidia GPUs but I also wanna know how intel stuff works too(cpu and Igraphics) It will be helpful if I can get details on how much change of performance I might have(increment or decrement as my pc is pretty weak) I just need your recommended OS and a brief explanation on what to look for in the OS and what to expect on the stuff I looked into (I'll try doing my research according to your recommendations)\

Apologies if this is another "recommend me an OS" post, I do see all gaming related stuff but just doesn't see much of the things that I look for

Thank you for reading!

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[-] muhyb@programming.dev 1 points 5 months ago

Technically all distros support Nvidia since it's a kernel thing, however some of them have better out of the box experience, so it would be wiser to go with one of those distros. For gaming, it's usually better to have more recent drivers, if you play different varieties of games and some of them are newer titles. Though depending on the games, even Debian could be a suitable option.

If you don't want to learn under-the-hood features, Bazzite could be a nice option for you. If you want familiarity with Windows, you might want to go with KDE as your desktop environment. However don't be afraid of trying new angles if you like the general idea of a distro. So Pop!_OS might look different than Windows, it's also a solid distro.

If you'll need Microsoft programs or some Windows-only programs, choose something you can install Winboat on it, which isn't currently usable for Bazzite, until the devs bring Podman support for it. Know that, Winboat is not the only interface you can install Windows programs, it just makes things much easier. So depending on the programs, Bazzite still could be a good option for you.

People here seem to recommend Arch-based distros but I wouldn't start with them, at least until you get some familiarity with Linux in general. There is no problem using them, but a beginner couldn't handle if something goes wrong after an update (usually happens with Nvidia). It does not happen a lot, but even once is enough for people who can't handle it.

There is nothing wrong with Linux Mint. You might find it quite straightforward. It does not have the latest Nvidia drivers most of the time but this might not be a problem for you. If you play newer titles though, then it's probably not the distro you would want.

[-] J4g2F@lemmy.ml 1 points 5 months ago

You already got some good recommendation. I'm just giving you some tips regarding your needs.

-Can play steam games(since steam is compatible, this is mostly always checked(I think))

Steam is indeed Linux native, some games also have Linux builds. But most run through proton (this is a lot of the time still clicking install and just run). You can check protondb.com/ if your favorite games run on Linux. (Sometimes the comments recommend a fix)

-Can play other games outside steam(like from GOG where you download the setup. Heard about apps like "bottles" but idk how good it will be)

For Gog games I recommend heroic game launcher, it can manage epic and Gog games and run them with proton. (I think it also does Amazon games, but never tried)

-Video editing softwares (Resolve works but I might want to use another)

Resolve is indeed Linux native. A nice project to look at maybe is kdenlive

-Can run a CAD software(I do like designing and stuff so I do look forward for this(I have used some on windows and don't know how its will be in linux. I know blender works but it's more of a modeling than CAD))

I do some 3d modeling myself for 3d printing. So anything web-based works of course, like thinkercad and on shape. I got fusion 360 to run for about a month with wine before it broke. I moved to freecad it's Linux native and very powerful. It is a other workflow then some other cad software.

-Programming(I don't think this will be a problem)

I also don't think this is a problem

-Microsoft like apps(Spreadsheet and stuff, Just need to be able to do work)

There are obviously options like libre office or only office. But if you really need Microsoft office for work you can try the web versions or something like winboat. Winboat runs a full install of windows 11 in a docker container. So for apps like Microsoft office or works better then wine.

-Not sure if this is needed but I do sail the seven seas sometimes

I would look into running pirated software in containers. Keep in mind proton/wine is not a container.

Al software can be installed using your distro's "app" store. On Linux you first always check your systems software store/packages manager to download and install software. (I see new Linux users download stuff from website's and then having problems with installing software pretty often)

I would pick something beginner friendly like pop os or bazite.

[-] LynxIsInvicible@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

From all the suggestions, Pop OS and Bazzite seems to be the better one to go with(I also saw about Cachy OS). So I'll go with either one I find more easy to start with. As for CAD and some other things that are "only good" on windows, I'm thinking about maybe partitioning with small amount of storage for windows and higher amount of storage for linux since it's something I'm trying to get into .

[-] dangling_cat@piefed.blahaj.zone 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Just a reminder, there is 0 mainstream CAD software native to Linux. MAYBE you can get one of the mainstream software working on Linux. Or browser solutions like Onshape or TinkerCAD.

If you do programming and don’t want to go through hoops of containers and sandboxes, avoid immutable OS like Bazzite.

If you want to use your computer to finish projects, not starting a new project, avoid arch-based.

If you want “power user features” like right-clicking on a folder to open a terminal, avoid GNOME.

Your GPU is borderline getting dropped by official Nvidia driver btw.

[-] LynxIsInvicible@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I also saw more posts on CAD software which says they are not a good with linux base. I might use browser solutions as you have said or keep a bit of hard drive space(or buy an m.2 so I can run two OS (not sure bc i'm pretty broke rn))

[-] oppy1984@lemdro.id 1 points 5 months ago

When someone is switching from windows to Linux the first distro I recommend is Linux Mint. Mint feels similar enough to Win7 that any windows user can drop in and learn it in no time, my, tech illiterate, 76 year old mother has been trying a Mint live USB and has needed very little help.

I say start with Mint and get to know Linux, then if you want to try other distros you can, but at least you'll have a solid foundation to jump off from.

What ever you choose, welcome to Linux!

[-] Digit@lemmy.wtf 0 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Sure, Pop!OS'll likely be fine.

AntiX first sprang to mind before reading further through your list.

Mint, MXLinux, and SuSe also came to mind.

Not sure how well each and every part sought is covered. Though probably almost any distro will do.

PS: https://distrowatch.com/search.php?ostype=All&category=Beginners&origin=All&basedon=All&notbasedon=None&desktop=All&architecture=All&package=All&rolling=All&isosize=All&netinstall=All&language=All&defaultinit=All&status=Active#simpleresults

[-] Tenderizer78@lemmy.ml 0 points 5 months ago

Others have answered your question but nobody's mentioned GNOME so I think I should.

Most distros have the option to install with GNOME or KDE (or a different one). Never pick GNOME. GNOME is very "my way or the highway" desktop and it's way is to emulate an iPhone.

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[-] rozodru@pie.andmc.ca -2 points 5 months ago

since you're on a laptop with a dedicated nvidia GPU DO NOT use Mint, Ubuntu, or hell anything Debian based. it won't go well for you.

As other's have said Nobara, Bazzite, Cachy, or Pop

[-] HubertManne@piefed.social 1 points 5 months ago

I use zorin and the nvidia drivers been fine.

[-] Digit@lemmy.wtf 1 points 5 months ago

Deb based on nvidia always went well for me.

* Shrug *

I ran pure Devuan for a couple years on such hardware. (Besides that, all Suse, Sabayon, Gentoo, BedrockLinux, VoidLinux, all happy, did go well.).

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[-] phpinjected@lemmy.sdf.org -4 points 5 months ago
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[-] Creat@discuss.tchncs.de -4 points 5 months ago

I know it has been mentioned in passing a few times but I would highly recommend CachyOS. Just to emphasize how good that is.

Avoid Mint.

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this post was submitted on 01 Nov 2025
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