this post was submitted on 26 May 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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I'm sick of Windows, and especially what it's become, and the way its trending looks like it will only get worse. I'll be building a brand new PC this summer and want to choose a Linux Distro instead. In preparation, I'd like to try out a virtual machine with a Linux distribution. I am solidly familiar with Ubuntu, but I think it's time to try something that may cater to my specific needs more.

I use my machine for work and gaming (mostly Steam). I am a fullstack software developer and use a second MacBook as well for my daily work needs.

I've had Manjaro, and OpenSUSE recommended to me by a friend who likes both of them but he doesn't game much and doesn't need various software development tools.

Are Manjaro or OpenSUSE good choices? I know there's a tonne of distros out there, and I'm trying to narrow things down a bit. Hopefully this community has some helpful advice.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: First of all, thank-you everyone for your help and positivity. It's been less than a day and the amount of advice and ideas is fantastic. Not too mention the noticeable lack of negative comments (a huge reason I left reddit more than a year ago), thank-you all for reaffirming my reasons.

I've got to admit, I'm a little overwhelmed by all of the advice, but in a good way. I will be scrutinizing all of this advice and laying it out into a roadmap for both my distro testing, as well as PC building. You are all making this community a helpful and spectacular place. I hope one day to be able to pay it forward! Please keep it up!

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[–] [email protected] 22 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Manjaro has had a few flaky things happen with their organisation, so I wouldn’t trust them, Endeavour OS is apparently a decent alternative to them.

OpenSuse is apparently pretty good, am yet to move to Linux for gaming (will next month when I build myself a new machine lol, might go with fedora, which is what I use on my laptop)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago (2 children)

The problem with alternatives is that every step towards another alternative loses a huge number of distro users, leading to insufficient manpower. If I were you I'd stick with recommending Manjaro. But if Manjaro's untrustworthy then maybe something even more mainstream.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I typically recommend pop!_os over Manjaro

Realistically, though, most distros will work well for gaming if you install steam, proton-up, and maybe lutris so long as you don't need Nvidia drivers

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Most distros will work well with Nvidia drivers too.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

Yeah I mostly said that because some distros have different difficulty getting them last I checked, but the wording was unclear to say the least

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

You make a good point about users. Mint, Ubuntu, Arch and Manjaro top the Steam Survey usage stats but Arch and Ubuntu have double the users of the other two, and it drops off very sharply after that.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

It's a sad phenomenon.