Distro Reviews
This page contains (not all) a personal review of some well known distros out there, which supposed to give you an idea which distro you should pick depending on your use cases. The review will be kept short and concise because I also don't like very long review just to find out if you should use it or not...
Few things to keep in mind:
The review is based on my own review, my own opinion. Your opinion on these distro may be different.
I'll be looking these distros in Newbie/Very new to Linux perspective.
Some deep technical stuff will be ignored in this review.
Some images for these distro aren't mine, since I can't provide my own screenshot for each distros
Also check out Desktop Reviews
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is the most popular distro, used in many things like servers and stuff. Ubuntu is shipped with GNOME desktop which...is not the best imo compared to KDE Plasma since it takes more space compared to KDE Plasma. Ubuntu is quite easy to understand, although some stuff still require terminal commands actions, still not OOTB (Out-Of-The-Box) ready so to say.
Should you use Ubuntu? I feel like there are other better option you can use instead of using Ubuntu. But yes, you can use Ubuntu if you want
Debian
Debian, the oldest distro to ever exist on earth AFAIK. Debian is basically Ubuntu but different, but still Ubuntu anyways. Debian updates is a bit slower compared to other distros out there. So if you want something that is Bleeding Edge or Up-to-Date, Debian is prolly not for you
Since Debian is pretty much the same like Ubuntu (but different), I can say the same thing for Debian: There are better options out there you can use instead but then again, sure, you can use Debian if you want
Linux Mint
Linux Mint is Ubuntu derivative, lot lighter compared to Ubuntu, and by default it uses Cinnamon Desktop. AFAIK, Cinnamon Desktop is X11/Xorg only, so you may miss some features that is Wayland only. But Linux Mint provide different installer for different Desktop, you have: Cinnamon, XCFE, and MATE. However, it is still not OOTB mind you
I know KyloNeko uses Linux Mint for his gaming PC, so I can recommend this, not because Kylo uses it, but because Linux Mint is just better compared to Ubuntu/Debian. However, few things to keep in mind, since Linux Mint is Ubuntu/Debian fork, you may encounter Linux Mint specific issues that is not present in Ubuntu/Debian. So, don't report those issues to Ubuntu/Debian forums (the same goes with other distros as well)
Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS is a distro made by System76. This distro is quite popular because it is shipped with whatever hardware that System76 is selling, and also it's targeted for gaming use case. Pop!_OS is also one of distro based on Debian, and it's a decent one actually. By default, Pop!_OS is shipped with COSMIC desktop, which iirc, it is still experimental (unless stuff has changed)
I can recommend PopOS (I hate typing the actual name) if you want something that is Ubuntu/Debian based and OOTB
Fedora
Fedora, a very decent Linux, it being close to Arch Linux. Fedora still not OOTB, since Fedora is kinda meant for intermediate users, users who knows what're they doing. But still a decent Linux if you want Linux that don't break easily (although not foolproof of course)
Fedora is mostly targeted to day-to-day use cases, you can still use this distro for VTubing of course, although again, some configuration and fixes needed first. However, the fork of it called Nobara is more targeted to gaming with all the necessary configuration already applied from start
Nobara
Nobara Linux is a Fedora based distro that are targeted for gaming use case since again, all fixes and necessary configuration already applied at the start. Everything else is pretty much the same like Fedora. Same same, but different
Nobara is a good choice if you want something that is OOTB. However, I know RougeRen keep complaining about it being broken at random times (what is broken is very inconsistent/random), so just keep that in mind
Arch Linux
Arch Linux. Are you a masochist like I am? Do you like wasting your time and not respecting all of your precious time? Do you want full control of your OS? then Arch Linux is for you then. There's nothing much to say but Arch Linux is basically a LEGO-like OS. You build your OS to suit your own use case.
Fun Fact: I have to say, Arch Linux took me about 3 Days to finish installing and configuring it to my needs. And by the time, I already lost my sanity and my hope for living...
Arch Linux is meant for advanced users and generally not recommended for new users. However, there are other distro that are based on Arch that you can use as a beginner, without all the pain and sacrifices needed (although you may still need some configurations and whatnot). However, you still can use it if you don't mind the process
CachyOS
CachyOS is my personal favorite distro that is Arch based. It's is Arch Linux but without the pain and suffering needed to install it, since it uses GUI for the installer. The installer provides everything at the start, you can choose whatever desktop you want, choose what packages you want, choose what fixes you want and so on...although you need internyet connection for the installation, just like Arch Linux normally would
I can recommend CachyOS, however, since this is a distro based on Arch Linux, you may encounter CachyOS specific issues.
EndeavourOS
EdeavourOS, there is not much to say about this distro but it's just basically the same like CachyOS, it an Arch based distro with GUI installer, and fixes and patches already applied at start. There are some deep technical stuff that is very different compared to CachyOS, but am not gonna talk about that here since my perspective is viewing these distros as someone who is completely new to Linux
Again, just like CachyOS, I can recommend this distro for your gaming or day-to-day use case
Manjaro
Just like the other 2 Arch based distro, there's not much to say about Manjaro but it being Stable Arch based distro. AFAIK, some stuff is handled ever so slightly different compared to the other two?? so I guess keep that in mind
Manjaro Linux is a bit different, you may (or may not) need to apply some fixes and patches before you can use it for gaming. But other than that, it's fine
NixOS
All I can say about NixOS is, it's a Linux distro that work very differently compared to any other Linux distro out there. It's a immutable distro, which means all changes made is not gonna apply the moment you update your system.
NixOS is not a friendly distro, since the system work very differently compared to any other Linux distro outt there. You may need just one command to install stuff, in NixOS, you may need more than just one.
Taken from KyloNeko guide:
Veadotube mini : Veadotube mini won't work normally with the linux package you will need to use the windows version + launcher of your choice
To install Nvidia drivers on NixOS, you need to modify your
/etc/nixos/configuration.nixfile by addingservices.xserver.videoDrivers = [ "nvidia" ]When you update NixOS you will need to run: sudo nixos-rebuild switch in order for it to accept the changes , each change is a new generation and you can always rollback to a previous version upon booting up your pc
Gentoo
Is Arch Linux not enough for you? Do you really really really really really really really really really hate yourself?? Gentoo is probably for you (for the jokes)
I don't really see people uses Gentoo for VTubing or Gaming, because Gentoo is mostly used either for jokes or for really really niche use cases like servers or whatever. And of course I can't recommend this to a new Linux users
Kali Linux
I mean, you're here to VTubing and gaming. You don't game on Kali Linux, VTubing is still possible?? probably
This is a hacking distro, you're not meant to game on it. It's like you're using a hammer to screw down a screw
LFS (Linux From Scratch)
Do I even have to say for this one?...No, not recommended. End of the story.
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