this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2023
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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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Alright, you know what? I'll be switching. (kbin.social)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by Sucuk@kbin.social to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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Hello there. I'm a beginner so keep that in mind. I have an old laptop (something like 10 yo). It has an HDD, 4 gigs of DDR3, an i3 4th gen 1.7
GHz and an NVidia Geforce 710M (Windows Game Ready Driver 391.35 WHQL which I think doesn't support Wayland). It also has CSM BIOS so yeah. It has the option of UEFI but the GeForce (I think) doesn't support it.

Currently, it has Windows 10 on it, but it has been veeeeery sluggish. I'm planning to upgrade the RAM to 8 gigs and upgrade to an SSD, but (even if I upgrade those parts) I don't want to use Windows anymore, at all.

So, I have a few options. (kinda in order)

Linux Mint
Fedora, though idk if the 2 GHz requirement is a big problem
Pop!_OS
MX Linux
Debian
Ubuntu and its flavors
Zorin OS
and maybe Solus? though the same problem with fedora.

Yeah yeah ik, all of these except Fedora and Solus are Debian/Ubuntu based.

DE options: (again, also kinda in order)

KDE Plasma (love the looks of it, though is my hardware enough?)
Cinnamon
XFCE - LXDE - LXQT (because of "lightweightness" :D)
Budgie
5. GNOME too heavy
These are some options for me. If you have any more suggestions, let me know. Also, are there any compatibility issues with my system for the distros/DEs?

Thanks for the replies in advance.

(Note: this was also posted in the m/linux@kbin.social magazine and the r/linux4noobs subreddit. don't ask why im still on reddit, it's because of Infinity for reddit.)

(Another note: If you saw this post before, it's because of /kbin's issues. I reposted it because no one saw it before.)

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[–] Lucia@eviltoast.org 28 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (5 children)

So, I have a few options. (kinda in order)

Linux Mint is the easiest one from the list, but all of them except Solus are fine. I personally recommend Mint or Debian, Debian Sid if you want latest kernel.

KDE Plasma (love the looks of it, though is my hardware enough?)

KDE should work fine, maybe with a bit of tweaking?

XFCE - LXDE - LXQT (because of “lightweightness”)

I daily drive Xfce and even on a beefy PC this DE is really great. It may not look cool by default, but it's very customizable and powerful. And Thunar (xfce file manager) is really good now.

Cinnamon

Another good option

it’s because of Infinity for reddit.

There's a fork of infinity for Lemmy, called Eternity. Not sure if it's usable now though.

[–] SaveComengs@lemmy.federa.net 15 points 1 year ago (2 children)

eternity is amazing and works really well, I've had no issues so far

[–] Lucia@eviltoast.org 5 points 1 year ago

Good to know! I will also check it out soon. Infinity was my only reason to use reddit actually.

[–] baconicsynergy@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

I'm using Eternity too and its fsntastic

[–] rambos@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Linux Mint is the easiest one from the list

I have to try mint, so many people recommend it and its hard to believe something can be easier than popos

[–] Lucia@eviltoast.org 4 points 1 year ago

Mint is great, my brother used it as his first distro and had no issues whatsoever while I suffered with Fedora.

[–] wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

if you want latest kernel.

I doubt they need the latest kernel, their machine is ancient...

Eternity

FIFY

[–] Lucia@eviltoast.org 2 points 1 year ago

I doubt they need the latest kernel, their machine is ancient…

True

FIFY

Thanks, somehow messed it up.

[–] Sucuk@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Linux Mint is the easiest one from the list, but all of them except Solus are fine. I personally recommend Mint or Debian, Debian Sid if you want latest kernel.

No, I don't really need it.

KDE should work fine, maybe with a bit of tweaking?

I thought about that too. If that doesn't work out, Xfce/LXDE/LXQT it is.

[–] entropicdrift@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 1 year ago

Try Mint Cinnamon, if that's slow try disabling animations. If it's still slow, go to XFCE.

Mint really rocks at not requiring you to use the terminal almost ever. For sure the best choice in the "just works" category.

[–] Lucia@eviltoast.org 1 points 1 year ago

Cool. Good luck on your linux journey!