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Distros

This is a distribution, or a specific configuration on top of the base GNU/Linux system. See here for more detail.

See DistroWatch for a full list of Linux Distributions.

Beginner

Mint

Parent Distro: Ubuntu

Pros:

  • Built on Ubuntu

Cons:

  • None

Ubuntu

Parent Distro: Debian

Pros:

  • This is the most common user friendly choice for computers

Cons:

  • Uses snaps for some applications, which take up more space and may startup slower than a non-snap version

Manjaro

Parent Distro: Arch

Pros:

  • Accessible to both newcomers and has extensive options for more experienced users

  • Easier to install than Arch

  • Built on Arch

Cons:

  • Not as user friendly as Ubuntu

Pop OS

Parent Distro: Ubuntu

Pros:

  • Gaming

  • Made by system76

Cons:

  • Only has support for one desktop environment

Intermediate

OpenSUSE

Parent Distro: Independent Pros:

  • Some rare pieces of scientific software will focus on supporting openSUSE

Cons:

  • Few people use comparatively

  • Lack of Pros

Debian

Parent Distro: Independent Pros:

  • Less bloat that would normally come with Ubuntu

  • Works on a Raspberry Pi

Cons:

  • Lack of Pros

Fedora

Parent Distro: Independent Pros:

  • Less bloat

Cons:

  • Lack of Pros

  • Less user friendly

Advanced

CentOS

This is normally a server OS, yet it can also be used as a normal operating system as well. Parent Distro: Fedora Pros:

  • Made for servers

  • Stability

Cons:

  • Less user friendly

  • Older software (takes time to get feature updates)

Arch

Parent Distro: Independent Pros:

  • Just what you need to run a system

  • Practically no bloat

  • Small

  • Newest software

Cons:

  • Less user friendly

  • Can be pain to install, as you do everything manually

  • Manjaro is easier to install

Crazy

Qubes OS

Parent Distro: Fedora

Everything in this distro runs in VMs, so you can run Fedora/Debian/Arch applications nearly seamlessly. Pros:

  • Security

  • Custom-ability

  • Multiple distros simultaneously, so you can handpick the distro for the job

Cons:

  • Can just break

  • Smaller project

  • Less support

  • Takes time and knowledge of how the VMs are arranged to setup properly

  • Does not run in a VM

  • Requires your CPU to have certain technologies

  • Takes a Lot of RAM

Gentoo

You have to compile this yourself. Parent Distro: Independent Pros:

  • Just what you need to run a system

  • Practically no bloat

  • Can run on strange architectures

  • Can be installed beside Android

Cons:

  • Is a pain to install