I currently run windows 10 on my main desktop PC, and also have a steam deck that I sometimes use in desktop mode instead of my desktop. With the way Windows is going, and the way Linux Gaming is dramatically improving, I might consider ditching Windows, at least for the most part, on my next PC build. What would be the best distro to use for gaming, with casual use as well? Any suggestions?
Nobara
if you want to “install-and-forget”.Any non-Ubuntu-based distro, minimal install
if you don’t mind tweaking.but why not Ubuntu
For some reason it likes to slip some unsolicited bloatware in – no idea why.
Fedora!
But wait.
Actually Bazzite, as a way to consume/deploy Fedora on your host desktop.
Even works great on non 64GB Steam Decks. With gnome available as an option as well.
- https://universal-blue.org/images/bazzite/
- https://universal-blue.org/blog/2023/10/05/bazzite-buzz-no-5/
Also builds for Nvidia users
Bazzite/Universal Blue is Not a “distro”, it’s a project. It’s not “immutable”, it’s Atomic OCI cloud based image deployment for your host OS.
It’s Chromebook easy, it’s Fedora “with batteries included/extra steps.”
Since they want it for gaming, Nobara might be a better option. Based on Fedora, but comes bundled with everything they would need for it.
Mint works fine for me.
This question gets asked every week on every Linux community. We should have a pinned thread for this.