That’s just my guess: Linux mint may be easier to get into and more popular, however it doesn’t come with pre installed proprietary drivers. Pop OS is based on the same distro so should be similar enough, but it comes with pre packaged drivers
The difference with Pop OS in particular is that they offer installation ISOs with the proprietary NVIDIA drivers preinstalled, meaning you don’t have to fuss with installing them at all.
Yea I get that. But installing them is far from the troublesome experience it used to be, isn’t it? It’s just a one-click installer that generally “just works” these days?
Just works, sometimes. Other times you’ll be left with a blank screen and the need for a second device to search the mint forums. It all depends on the age and support for your hardware.
however it doesn’t come with pre installed proprietary drivers
It prompts you on boot (until turned off) with a list of things to do, including “driver manager” which will get those Nvidia (and any others like USB wifi adapters) drivers for you ezpz
If I am the average computer user with very little literacy when it comes to operating software, how do I go about switching from Windows to Linux? Is there a tutorial anyone recommends?
For those about to switch, welcome to Linux! If you have AMD hardware give Linux Mint a shot. If you have NVIDIA, Pop!_OS is worth your first install.
Debian 12 is also hat in the ring worthy, nv support is fine.
Me, with an AMD CPU and Nvidia GPU, who is expecting to maybe upgrade to an Intel GPU this year and swap to Linux: visible confusion
We truly do live in the weirdest timeline.
Why the recommendation of different distros for different GPU?
That’s just my guess: Linux mint may be easier to get into and more popular, however it doesn’t come with pre installed proprietary drivers. Pop OS is based on the same distro so should be similar enough, but it comes with pre packaged drivers
Nailed it. The transition to Linux should be as smooth as possible for newcomers.
Bit of a weird reason to recommend a distro for me though? Isn’t installing drivers (even Nvidia) basically just the same as Windows these days?
The difference with Pop OS in particular is that they offer installation ISOs with the proprietary NVIDIA drivers preinstalled, meaning you don’t have to fuss with installing them at all.
Yea I get that. But installing them is far from the troublesome experience it used to be, isn’t it? It’s just a one-click installer that generally “just works” these days?
Just works, sometimes. Other times you’ll be left with a blank screen and the need for a second device to search the mint forums. It all depends on the age and support for your hardware.
It prompts you on boot (until turned off) with a list of things to do, including “driver manager” which will get those Nvidia (and any others like USB wifi adapters) drivers for you ezpz
Honestly easier than windows, even
Pop_OS is a good alternative. I still believe that most non-gaming adults would be happy with Firefox and LibreOffice on Linux.
If I am the average computer user with very little literacy when it comes to operating software, how do I go about switching from Windows to Linux? Is there a tutorial anyone recommends?