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!
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.
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 .