Linux Mint
Linux Mint is a very popular, free, and open-source Linux distribution that is actually based on Ubuntu itself. However, Linux Mint’s in-house desktop environment, Cinnamon, makes the main difference. It offers great customization flexibility while looking similar to older Windows versions, thanks to its default placement of the “Start” menu and the taskbar.
It comes with full multimedia support and generally does not require a specific maintenance process. Currently, it comes with three editions based on their desktop environments, Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce, and supports x86_64 architecture.
Linux Mint system requirements
- RAM: 2 GB minimum, 4 GB recommended.
- Storage: 20 GB minimum, 100 GB recommended.
- Screen resolution: 1024 x 768 minimum.
EndeavourOS
The successor of Antergos, EndeavourOS takes its version names from space-related terms, and it is based on Arch Linux. It offers a vast variety of desktop environments during installation, including Xfce, KDE Plasma, GNOME, MATE, Cinnamon, Budgie, LXQt, and LXDE, all of which offer the user a different EndeavourOS experience.
EndeavourOS is an easy-to-install and easy-to-use Linux-based operating system that can work on both x86_64 and aarch64 architectures, which grants additional device flexibility. It uses a rolling release schedule; which means you will receive the latest software updates as soon as possible.
EndeavourOS system requirements
The system requirements of EndeavourOS depend on the desktop environment installed.
- RAM: 2 GB minimum, 4 GB recommended for Xfce, MATE, and LXQt desktop environments. For others, 4 GB is the minimum.
- Storage: 10 GB minimum.
Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS is a quite popular, free, Linux-based operating system that focuses on the user experience. It is developed by System76, a company that actually sells laptops, desktop PCs, and even keyboards. Like many other popular distros, Pop!_OS is based on Ubuntu as well. It comes with the GNOME desktop environment.
One of the key reasons Pop!_OS is so popular is the pre-installed Nvidia drivers. Pop!_OS offers a separate ISO file that includes Nvidia GPU drivers, which saves some users a bit of hassle. The operating system normally is developed for x86_64, however, it currently has a Raspberry Pi 4 version as a tech preview version.
Pop!_OS system requirements
- RAM: 4 GB recommended
- Storage: 16 GB recommended
- CPU: 64-bit
Garuda Linux
Garuda Linux is a free Linux distribution that comes with more packages than expected. But there is a reason for this. Garuda Linux heavily leans on gamer-style design elements, icons, wallpapers, animations, and many more, and also comes with many of the tools that gamers would require preinstalled.
Garuda Linux is based on Arch Linux. Garuda’s default desktop environment is KDE Plasma, but as we mentioned before, it is heavily tweaked, but it also looks great. It also offers GNOME, Cinnamon, Xfce, MATE, LXQt-Kwin, Wayfire, Sway, i3WM, Qtile, KDE lite, and KDE-Git editions. However, the best way to experience Garuda Linux is the Garuda KDE Dragonized Gaming Edition.
Garuda Linux system requirements
- RAM: 4 GB minimum
- Storage: 30 GB minimum
- GPU: OpenGL 3.3 or newer
- CPU: 64-bit
Deepin
Deepin is a free Linux distribution that offers a very clean and elegant feel that somehow reminds macOS. Deepin is based on Debian Linux, maintained by Chinese developers. There have been some rumors about some spyware that existed on Deepin’s application store; they are not proven but use it at your own risk.
Deepin comes with its own desktop environment, which provides a clean look. Deepin supports only x86_64 systems, which means its focus is desktop users. It is a fun-to-use operating system that causes almost no hassle during installation or after, except for its storage requirement.
Deepin system requirements
- RAM: 2 GB minimum, 4 GB recommended
- Storage: 25 GB minimum
- CPU: Pentium 4 2 GHz minimum
MX Linux
MX Linux is a free, user-friendly Linux distribution that focuses on simplicity and comes with graphics drivers and media codecs out of the box. It is currently based on Debian and developed by MEPIS and antiX communities. It is a very popular Linux distribution; which means easier to find solutions when troubleshooting.
MX Linux comes with the Xfce desktop environment, however, it offers KDE Plasma and Fluxbox editions as well. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit systems and offers an additional “Advanced Hardware Support” release that comes with up-to-date kernel versions. MX Linux’s system requirements are relatively low.
MX Linux system requirements
- RAM: 1 GB minimum, 2 GB recommended
- Storage: 8.5 GB minimum, 20 GB recommended
- CPU: 32-bit, 64-bit
elementary OS
elementary OS is a Linux distribution that focuses on a clean look and simplicity. Its design, placement of the UI elements, and many more things are very similar to macOS; which makes elementary OS a good option for users coming from Macs. elementary OS is based on Ubuntu and can be downloaded with a small amount of donation to the developers, including $0.
elementary OS uses its own desktop environment, named Pantheon. It only supports x86_64 CPUs. elementary OS developers are also pushing hard for easier installation and update processes, even for Flatpak applications.
elementary OS system requirements
- RAM: 4 GB recommended
- Storage: 32 GB SSD recommended
- CPU: 64-bit required, minimum a Core i3 or equivalent recommended
- Display: 1024 x 768px resolution minimum
Zorin OS
Zorin OS is a free Linux distribution that can also be enhanced with additional paid features. Those features include some “Premium” desktop layouts that look and feel similar to macOS, Windows 11, Windows Classic, and Ubuntu operating systems. However, the free version already includes layouts for Windows, Windows List, ChromeOS, and GNOME Shell.
The paid version, named “Pro” and charges only $39, is also packed with creative and productivity software that enables professionals. Zorin OS Pro version offers installation support as well, which might be useful for those who have facing issues while installing Zorin OS. In addition to paid and free versions that use the GNOME desktop environment, Zorin OS also offers a Lite version which is packed with Xfce DE for lower system requirements.
Zorin OS system requirements
- RAM: 2 GB minimum for Pro and Core versions, 1 GB for Lite version
- CPU: 64-bit, 1 GHz dual-core minimum for Pro and Core versions, 1 GHz single-core minimum for Lite version
- Storage: 10 GB minimum for Core and Lite versions, 40 GB minimum for Pro version