Stop “-hopping” and use Linux to get work done
After hopping from Fedora Workstation GNOME to Manjaro XFCE to openSUSE Tumbleweed KDE Plasma, I’m finally stuck with openSUSE with KDE. “Distro-hopping” and “desktop environment-hopping” are a waste of your time, resources and energy. On the other hand, it’s also not easy to figure out whether a Linux distro is suitable for your needs and taste. There are few things I expect from an OS.
- Super fast
- Modern interface (but it doesn’t have to look like a MacOS clone)
- Applications availability
XFCE desktop environment is super fast, but it doesn’t have the looks. Manjaro was faster too, but it felt like too much work. I was tinkering with the OS rather than getting things done with it. Fedora with GNOME was simple and just OK but I was bored a bit. I really liked how KDE Plasma looked on my laptop, monitor therefore went with the openSUSE Tumbleweed KDE edition. KDE has too many settings but I didn’t bother to tinker with them. Only when something I’m used to is missing I look up on System Settings. KDE Connect is super helpful as I hate checking my phone as soon as it makes a noise while I’m working on my laptop. I’ve also installed Plasma Integration on Firefox add-on. Everything just works!
If you’re lost on what to chose I can express my views on few distros and DEs I’ve used. If you’re new to Linux, Ubuntu is the best. But don’t overload it with snap apps. Linux Mint with XFCE is another easy option for someone who just need to get their work done, regardless of the looks. Both Ubuntu and Mint are Debian based hence, can install applications via .deb files as well as Snaps or Flatpaks alternately. Fedora Workstation with GNOME is better if you’re little adventurous and NOT a newcomer. openSUSE Tumbleweed is my personal preference with KDE Plasma, although not speedy as Fedora. Both Fedora and openSUSE can install applications via .rpm files and alternatively, as Flatpaks too. I wouldn’t go with Snaps on these two operating systems however. Manjaro with XFCE will suit you if you’re not afraid to do things differently and have time to spare. You’ll be able to learn about how a Linux system works perhaps. Manjaro is Arch Linux based and also have community supported applications via Arch User Repository (AUR). I find installation of all these Linux distros fairly easy.
There are many other distros, for you to try and see whether it fits you. But if you feel that you’re spending more time tinkering the computer’s operating systems rather than doing your work with it, one of the few options I mentioned earlier could be your last resort.
