Recommended Distros#
Desktop
Fedora: https://fedoraproject.org/workstation/download
Gamming Desktop
Nobara: https://nobaraproject.org/download-nobara/
Bazzite: https://bazzite.gg/
Server
Proxmox VE: https://www.proxmox.com/en/downloads/proxmox-virtual-environment/iso
Debian: https://www.debian.org/
TrueNAS: https://www.truenas.com/download-truenas-scale/
Alpine: https://www.alpinelinux.org/downloads/
Ubuntu Server: https://ubuntu.com/download/server
Open Media Vault: https://www.openmediavault.org/download.html
What is a Linux Distro?#
I don’t want to go into too much detail here, because it would only put off all new potential users.
As soon as you decide to use Linux, you will quickly realize that Linux does not have just one version, but far too many. A Version of Linux is what is called a Linux Distro.
But as I said, there are far too many. But should that interest you? No, because most distros are simply slightly modified versions of existing ones. It could be a different desktop, colors or something else.
What you should consider when deciding on a Distro?#
I have already listed a few distros above, which I will discuss in a moment. Before that, I would like to clarify what you should generally pay attention to if you want to use a distro. Here are the most important points in my opinion
Is it popular?#
This is more important than you think because when it’s popular it has a lot of development support and more documentation. There are also more people talking about their problems. This means that you will also find more solutions to your problems as many people report their problems and get them resolved.
Is it a difficult distro?#
Difficult is of course always subjective, but there are still things that can clearly be interpreted as difficult.
Examples would be:
The installation should be graphical because not everyone can manage a terminal installation. Especially people who are not used to using a terminal.
If you have to install all kinds of things with a wiki because the distro doesn’t have everything important installed, it’s just too difficult for many people.
So take a close look at your distro choice to see if it is too difficult for you.
What is the distro intended for?#
There are distros that are extremely specific. Be it for virtualization servers, storage servers etc.
You should therefore look at the purpose for which the distro was created.
The distros I recommend#
Finally we come to the recommendations. I have sorted it into three categories. Desktop, Gamming and Server.
Desktop#
Desktop Linux refers to distros that include a desktop. You can also use these as a server, but most people use them as a desktop OS.
Fedora Linux#
Fedora is my desktop of choice. It offers a lot of software as a lot is developed directly for it. You notice this especially when something is not in a package manager but you can download it as a .deb or .rpm package. That means you have to use apt or dnf as package manager in order to use these files. Fedora uses dnf and it is the best package manager in my opinion for the simple reason that it is incredibly good at finding dependencies.
Also Fedora has a lot of desktops and Fedora uses very new kernels and very recent software versions.
It also uses a graphical installer and should therefore be easy to install.
Download link: https://fedoraproject.org/workstation/download
Linux Mint#
Linux mint is the best distro for new Linux users. I don’t think there’s any debate about that. It also installs all the drivers you need directly during the system installation. Be it media drivers or the drivers for Nvidia. It also has excellent support for Chinese or Japanese keyboards. Which is important for some people. Also for me.
In addition, you pretty much never need the terminal for Mint, which is very good for people who don’t want to have anything to do with it.
Download link: https://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=319
Arch Linux#
Arch Linux is special because it is user centralized. Which means that the user friendliness of the Distro is not important. Arch allows you to customize everything, from the desktop to all the programs and kernels that run on your desktop.
This is very good for people who like DIY desktops but absolutely not for anyone who just wants to use a desktop and enjoy their evening.
Arch has the best documentation in the Linux world. So if you want to build your own desktop be so free and install Arch you will love it.
Download link: https://archlinux.org/download/
Gamming#
“Gamming distros” are actually not a thing that really exists. Because you can play on all desktop distros. However, there are distros that are special, two to be exact.
Nobara#
Nobara is a fork of Fedora, it adds some patches that makes playing on Linux much easier. It also adds stuff for Davinci Resolve and OBS which makes streaming and Youtube video Production easier.
It is therefore a very good distro for streamers or youtubers. But also just people who want to play without having to fix Gamming specific problems all the time.
Download link: https://nobaraproject.org/download-nobara/
Bazzite#
Bazzite is a fantastic distro for all these handheld consoles like the Steamdeck that are coming out.
It is very similar to Nobara with the difference that it is an Atomic Desktop. But I’ll explain the difference another time.
Download link: https://bazzite.gg/
Server#
Server distros are distros that provide server services. Who would have thought.
Proxmox VE#
Proxmox has a few things it can do, but I’m going to talk specifically about Proxmox VE. Proxmox is a hypervisor OS which is specifically made for virtualization. You can do very cool things with it. For example, I built a Cloud Gamming VM with it. I’ll explain how that works at some point.
Proxmox has many similar functions to VMware ESXI with the difference that it is open source and does not have prices that are so high that you can sell your organs if you want to use it.
You can even use it privately for free.
Download link: https://www.proxmox.com/en/downloads/proxmox-virtual-environment/iso
TrueNAS#
TrueNAS is a storage OS that uses ZFS as a file system. ZFS is like Alien Technology it is ridiculous what this file system can do. So if you need an OS that is perfect for managing data, look no further.
I have also linked a video here if you want to learn what makes ZFS so special. Of course, I will also cover ZFS at some point.
What is ZFS: https://youtu.be/lsFDp-W1Ks0
Download link: https://www.truenas.com/download-truenas-scale/
Debian Linux#
It may seem strange that I classify Debian as a server OS when you can also use it as a desktop. But I don’t advise anyone to use it as a desktop. Debian is very old when it comes to software and does not support new hardware for a very long time.
But it is also very robust and almost never crashes. Which makes it very good for servers. By the way, Proxmox and TrueNAS are Debian based for exactly this reason.
Download link: https://www.debian.org/
Alpine Linux#
Alpine is special, it has hardly any packages, has virtually no desktop support, has no web UI or anything else. BUT it is only 240MB in size you read that right 240MB. Btw the VM version is only 60MB in size and that’s the special thing about Alpine. It is perfect for servers that should be as small as possible or as a base for Docker containers where Alpine is often used. It is also super Secure.
Download link: https://www.alpinelinux.org/downloads/
Ubuntu Server#
I don’t like Ubuntu because of Canonical. Nevertheless, a lot of server based software is programmed for Ubuntu and Ubuntu Server is also very easy to use. It is the standard Linux server and is therefore a good choice for many people.
Download link: https://ubuntu.com/download/server
Open Media Vault#
Open Media Vault is like TrueNAS only for small servers. Be it a Raspberry Pi or something else. It’s pretty good for people who want to build a NAS. Without having to buy one from Synology, for example.
Download link: https://www.openmediavault.org/download.html
Closing words#
There is more you could recommend but I think the selection will satisfy most people. There will always be people who say that you should use this distro because. But that’s not my point, I just want to make the choice easier without scaring people away. The word Linux gatekeeper exists for a reason.
If you have questions you can also ask them directly in the forums. But most things you will learn by trying and reading.
Support me#
I hope this guide has helped you a lot. I would be very happy if you would join my Patreon or donate with Paypal. I am grateful for any support.
Thank you very much for reading and for your time.
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