Linux is a modern operating system that shares many similarities with Unix. Linux is fast, reliable, and very stable. It is also easy to use and is suitable for both home and professional usage.

With hundreds of Linux distros available online, it is not always easy to find the perfect distro that fits your requirements and needs. Here are some factors that you should consider when choosing a Linux distribution for yourself.

1. Usage

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One of the primary reasons you have a PC is to use it for a specific set of tasks, be it general personal usage or professional. Whether you are an artist, software developer, or ethical hacker, Linux has got you covered.

Here are some awesome Linux distros that are perfect for a specific set of tasks:

  • Ubuntu: Widely used by software engineers and IT administrators. But is also ideal for people who are new to Linux. It is easy to use and comes with a lot of software development tools.
  • Pop_OS!: Yet another great Linux distro that is aesthetically pleasing and modern. It is ideal for engineers and general users.
  • Arch Linux: A distro that comes with the bare minimums. It is loved and widely used by geeks and people who love to tinker with and have complete control over their machines.
  • Fedora: Ideal for enterprises, small businesses, and system administrators who want a reliable OS at no cost.
  • Kali Linux: A very secure distro that comes with many IT security and penetration testing tools. It's the ideal choice for ethical hackers and security professionals.

Linux is a preferred server OS because it is lightweight, stable, and robust. In addition, it is easy to configure and automate stuff on Linux. Overall, it costs less to maintain a Linux server.

Linux servers power some of the most advanced supercomputers and enterprise servers. Some great distros for servers are RHEL, Ubuntu Server, Fedora, Debian, CentOS, Oracle Linux, etc.

2. Hardware Requirements

Linux is a very lightweight operating system kernel that runs on minimal hardware resources. It is also supported on multiple hardware architectures including ARM-based processors found in Raspberry Pi as well as Intel-based architecture. Better still, distros such as Asahi Linux can run natively on the new Apple Silicon ARM-based chips.

If you are having performance issues due to minimal or constrained hardware resources on your PC, then Linux could save the day. You can easily bring your old PC back to life by installing a lightweight Linux distro such as Tiny Core Linux, Xubuntu, Alpine Linux, etc.

Lubuntu, for example, is a great lightweight distro supported on both 32-bit and 64-bit PCs. It comes with applications that are not resource intensive and is fast and responsive even on older machines.

Most lightweight Linux distros run efficiently on PCs with less than 1GB of RAM and require a minimum of 8GB of disk space. Linux Lite is another great option, and you do not need an internet connection to set up and install it.

3. Software Support

Let's face it, even though Linux is stable and robust, you might still encounter technical glitches at some point in time. For enterprises or individuals running critical systems, downtime translates to a loss of money and business.

You can pay for software or service support to get the much-needed support and help when your Linux system experiences technical difficulties. RHEL is widely used by enterprises because of this very reason. You get the same kind of support, if not better, as you would with Windows or macOS at a fraction of the cost.

Ubuntu is another distro that offers software support in exchange for a service fee. With the Ubuntu Advantage service, clients get 24/7 support, security, and extended LTS support from Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu).

Other distros such as Zorin OS also offer more advanced features, applications, and configurations for users or enterprises who pay a fee for the Pro version of the OS.

4. Stability

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Linux is generally a very stable OS, but certain Linux distros place even more emphasis on stability than others. Examples of such distros are Debian, openSUSE, Linux Mint, and RHEL.

Unlike other distros that have specific release cycles, Debian only releases versions that are thoroughly tested and stable. This is in stark contrast to bleeding-edge distros such as Arch Linux which are constantly releasing new software updates during the course of the year.

If you have critical systems or projects on your PC and stability is a priority then it is best to stay away from bleeding-edge distros such as Arch Linux, openSUSE Tumbleweed, Debian sid, etc. Bleeding-edge distros are perfect if you want the latest features for testing purposes.

5. Documentation and Community Support

Before you dive in and install a distro, it is important to check out the documentation provided on the distro's official page. Some of the important items that need to be documented are installation, setup, and general tutorials on how best to use the OS.

Apart from the documentation, you should also seek to use a distro that has a wide community on platforms such as Stack Overflow, where you can easily get support or answers from users who are using the same Linux distro as you are. In short, the bigger the community, the better. A wide audience might be a good sign that the distro will have a long lifespan.

6. Previous Experience With Linux

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Unlike what most people think, Linux is not only meant for technical people. It is relatively easy to use and to make it even better there are certain Linux distros geared toward people who are moving from Windows or macOS.

Linux offers an advanced package management system, security, and a wide selection of free apps for daily usage and advanced tasks such as video editing, image manipulation, text processing, etc.

Distros such as Zorin OS, Linux Mint, and elementary OS are specifically built to be easy for macOS and Windows users to transition to Linux.

Choosing a Linux Distro Is Easy!

Linux is an awesome and stable operating system, but not only that, you get to choose the Linux distro that best meets your needs.

If you have always wanted to move to Linux, there has never been a better time. You can choose your distro today and take that leap.