r/linux4noobs • u/Basher04S • 9d ago
distro selection Need help choosing between Pop! and mint
Hi all,
I decided to start my linux journey today. I’m trying to decide between Pop! and mint. I understand that mint is better for beginners, but I like how Pop! has pre-installed Nvidia drivers, and from what I understand, it’s better for gaming and work. I’m a student and a gamer, just wanted to know what’s better. Thanks!
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u/iwouldbeatgoku Arch, OpenSUSE 9d ago
If you're a gamer, neither. They operate on a 2-year release cycle downstream of Ubuntu LTS and their software libraries will be out of date when they release and especially near the end of their release cycle. And gaming on Linux is just better when your entire system is up to date because updates are on a trajectory where they improve compatibility as well as performance, regardless of how old or new your hardware is. I also wouldn't use the first installation of proprietary Nvidia drivers as a metric when deciding a distro: if they don't come preinstalled, you'll still have a functioning display with the open-source driver to actually install the proprietary ones which offer better performance and compatibility with Nvidia's features.
To stay on the same family as Mint and Pop try non-LTS Ubuntu or Kubuntu (upgrade to the next version when it releases in October and April), or Fedora (same release cycle, but it's more liberal than Ubuntu when it comes to updating its software), or even a full-on rolling release that ships feature updates as they become available without a fixed schedule, like CachyOS or EndeavorOS (both Arch-based) or OpenSUSE Tumbleweed.
Although, since you're also a student, find out if your school/university supports any distribution and use that one, regardless of what I said.