help me choose my next distro

I'm resetting windows 10 on my Thinkpad T580 for work but would like to create a partition for linux. It's an older laptop and really chugs through games like Minecraft or RuneScape but I enjoy playing relaxing games while I listen to audiobooks at night. I grew up using windows which is why I've mostly used Ubuntu and ZorinOS in the past but I'd like to expand my horizons to something like kubuntu. I value good UI/UX design and something lightweight for my old potato. Any recommendations on Linux distros?

** Thanks for all the input! I tried Fedora first but it felt kind of clunky to me. Then I tried out Mint xfce and it's right up my alley! I can run a separate Firefox profile right off the task bar that runs outside of my VPN which is perfect for Netflix and other sites that have issues. So far loving how customizable it is. Minecraft runs ok off GDLauncher, and lutris is really cool. I forgot I had a boat load of old GOG games that are perfect for this laptop. I really fucking love Linux 😆

sexy_peach,

Manjaro

noodlejetski,

https://manjarno.snorlax.sh/

BlinkerFluid,

MX Linux.

Imagine Linux Mint Debian edition, but it isn't green and there are a lot of useful GUI tools. It's also so near to actually being Debian that you can just install things meant for Debian on it. It also runs a backported kernel for modern graphics driver and chipset support so you get your stability and your performance all in one.

poVoq, (edited )
@poVoq@slrpnk.net avatar

KDE is surprisingly lightweight these days. Maybe try the Fedora KDE spin. Or if you need it even more light weight: the LXQt spin is also not bad.

shreddy_scientist,
@shreddy_scientist@lemmy.ml avatar

Linux Lite is worth a look, it's designed for old machines as well as folks moving over from Windows.

Edit: Porteus is another good lightweight distro to checkout. It's light enough to run off a USB but can also be installed on the hard disk. It has KDE, Xfce and Cinnamon environment options too.

hidyn,

You can’t go wrong with KDE neon. Highly recommend it. You get all the latest KDE features with the stability of Ubuntu. Lots of Kubuntu users have all migrated already.

orclev,

Honestly I don't have a recommendation right now, but if Valve ever gets around to actually releasing SteamOS 3.0 (holo) I'll probably install that.

XLRV,
@XLRV@lemmy.ml avatar

Yeah, SteamOS is great for gaming, I suppose we'll have to wait for the release of the non Steam Deck version, but you can still have the benefits of Proton on other distros, I really like Fedora, and there's a Fedora fork named Nobara which is gaming oriented, I've never used it but I've heard good things about it.

d3Xt3r,
@d3Xt3r@lemmy.ml avatar

I'm running Nobara right now on my AMD Thinkpad and it's been great for gaming. Steam, Proton, Lutris and ofc all drivers and codes are already included by default which greatly simplifies install, plus the kernel is already tweaked so there's no need to install a custom kernel.

XLRV,
@XLRV@lemmy.ml avatar

I'm thinking about dual booting Nobara with Windows 11, I would love switching completely but I'm playing some games that only works on Windows now, But on my Deck I don't really bother with Windows, SteamOS is great enough for the games I play on it.

Fenix,

I'm not sure how lightweight Fedora is, but it's currently my favourite distro. The harder choice for me is the desktop environment, I'm currently using KDE, however Gnome looks more modern.

RassilonianLegate,
@RassilonianLegate@mstdn.social avatar

@Fenix @Triage8420
+1 on Fedora with KDE

uthredii,

Fedora is a good choice. It is stable while being fairly up to date. The only issue is that (I think) proprietary drivers aren't included by default.

DarthRedLeader,

This is true but I've only had issues with Nvidia drivers, which wouldn't impact OP.

But definitely worth a word of caution for anyone else new to Fedora following this thread.

Martinligabue,

latest update makes it easy to install them in the installer

aRatherDapperFox,
@aRatherDapperFox@lemmy.ml avatar

My vote goes to OpenSUSE Tumbleweed. It's a beautiful system, and the most stable rolling release I've ever had the pleasure of running. I've tried so many different distros, and I always end up coming back to OpenSUSE.

OsrsNeedsF2P, (edited )

Stick to the main distros unless you have a specific reason to use a novel one. Despite its drawbacks, KUbuntu is great and I definitely recommend it. Once you find a thing or two you don't like about it, you can swap to a distro that does those things differently and you're off to the races :)

PS Linux can breathe new life into a laptop, but if apps are too intense for your hardware it won't magically give you more RAM.. With the exception of Minecraft Prism Launcher + Fabulously Optimized, then your Linuxtop turns into a NASA supercomputer

jvrava9,

Fabulously Optimized Is heaven for old systems

EponymousBosh,

MX Linux would be my recommendation for older computers. It's Debian-based so it should be fairly familiar if you're used to *buntu-based stuff. Maybe Linux Mint XFCE but I've found it to be verrrry slow on my old Dell Inspiron.

Neuromancer,

I use KUbutu at work and have tinkered with Arch (and recently the arch-based Manjaro) for many years on personal computers.

In my opinion, setting up a desktop Arch install is more work than it's worth, but wrapping it behind Manjaro makes the experience much better and the Arch wiki is a treasure trove of information about all thinks Linux.

Ubuntu, regardless of flavor, is the boring white bread of Linux distros IMO. There's nothing really wrong with it, but it sure doesn't excite me in any way shape or form.

Suoko,
@Suoko@feddit.it avatar

Not sure it's good as a daily distro: Nitrux. Debian based, QT based DE, waydroid is installed, appimage lover

JoshTheSquid,

I’ve been very fond of KDE Neon as of late! It’s been solid and has a very pleasant and easily customizable UI. Kubuntu or a Fedora spin with KDE would probably work fine as well.

fernandu00,

Depending on your use any distro would be good for you..if you like KDE maybe you should choose a distro with it but again, depending on your use it might be heavy on your system.different Desktop environments don't really expand your horizons ..different distro do..so if you have already played with Ubuntu maybe you should choose a Red Hat based distro or maybe an Arch based ..both using KDE

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