(Basic hardware and user experience tests to quickly rule out any show-stoppers)
Boot & Installation Media -
Confirm the live USB boots in UEFI mode and reaches the desktop without errors or unusual
delay.
Wi-Fi & Internet - Connect to a
Wi-Fi network and browse a webpage to verify networking works.
Bluetooth - Enable Bluetooth and
attempt to pair a device (e.g. headphones or phone); ensure it's discoverable and
connects.
Graphics (NVIDIA) - If you have an
NVIDIA GPU, check for any boot issues. Many distros offer a "non-free drivers"
boot option (e.g. Manjaro, Garuda) to use NVIDIA drivers in the live session. Use it and
confirm the desktop loads with the NVIDIA card (no fallback to basic graphics).
Multi-monitor - If possible, connect
an external monitor; verify the display is detected and you can arrange displays in the
settings.
Audio Output/Switching - Play a test
sound (or YouTube video) to ensure audio works. If available, plug in headphones or switch
to HDMI audio output and confirm the system can switch outputs (e.g. via sound settings or
KDE’s audio tray).
Sleep/Resume - Suspend the system
(close laptop lid or use the menu) and resume after a minute. Check if Wi-Fi reconnects and
no devices (audio, Bluetooth) break upon waking.
Desktop Responsiveness - Use the live
desktop for a few minutes: open apps, move windows, etc. Note if the interface (e.g. KDE
Plasma on KDE editions, Cinnamon on Mint, GNOME on Zorin/Nobara official) feels smooth and
responsive on your hardware.
Basic Applications - Test launching a
browser, file manager, and terminal. For KDE-based distros, also open Discover (software
center) or equivalent. Ensure these core apps run without crashes.
Package Availability - In the live
session’s package manager or app center, search for key tools:
Development: e.g. “Node.js”, “Docker” or “Podman”, and an editor like “VS Code”.
Gaming: e.g. “Steam” and “Lutris”.
Verify that these are either pre-installed or available in the repositories/app store
(Nobara, for instance, ships Steam and Lutris out of the
box).
Driver Management (Proprietary) -
Determine how the distro handles driver installation in live mode or post-install:
Does a tool like “Additional Drivers” (Ubuntu-based) show available
NVIDIA/Wi-Fi drivers?
Do Arch-based distros include a driver installer or options? (Garuda/Manjaro ISOs often
allow booting with proprietary drivers; Manjaro also provides a GUI Hardware Manager for
drivers after install.)
Initial Impressions & Notes - Jot
down any immediate likes/dislikes:
Is font rendering and scaling okay?
Did the touchpad, webcam, function keys, etc., work?
Are there any annoying pop-ups or missing codecs? (Nobara will prompt to install media
codecs on first boot - a good sign for out-of-the-box multimedia
support.)
This will help recall differences later.
In-Depth Tests (Full Install on Finalists)
(Thorough testing on the distros you liked most, installed on real hardware)
Hardware & Compatibility (Installed System)
Installation Success - Install the
distro on your machine (dual-boot alongside Windows if applicable). Verify the installer
handled partitioning and bootloader correctly (after installation, ensure you can boot into
both Linux and Windows).
Boot & Performance - After
install, confirm the system boots up cleanly. Measure boot time roughly and note if it’s
significantly slow or fast.
NVIDIA/Graphics Drivers - Install
proprietary GPU drivers if not already done:
Ubuntu-based (Kubuntu/Zorin/Mint): use the
Driver Manager/Additional Drivers to install the NVIDIA driver, then
reboot and confirm nvidia-smi or Settings show the NVIDIA card in use.
Arch-based (Manjaro/Garuda): use the distro’s tool or package manager (sudo pacman -S nvidia-dkms
or a metapackage) to install drivers, or check if the installer already did. Reboot and
verify.
Nobara (Fedora-based): use the built-in
Nobara Driver Manager to install
NVIDIA drivers (the Nobara welcome app can launch this). Confirm the NVIDIA driver is
active after reboot (Nobara may ship an open kernel module for new GPUs by
default - ensure older GPUs switch to the
proprietary module if needed).
Wi-Fi & Bluetooth (Installed) -
Re-test wireless and Bluetooth after full install. Connect to Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth
peripheral reliably across reboots.
Peripheral Support - Test USB devices
(external drives, phone tethering, etc.). For controllers, plug in a gamepad and see if it’s
recognized (e.g. check if lsusb shows it or if Steam detects it later).
Display & Multi-Monitor -
Configure dual monitors (or more). Arrange positions in Display Settings and confirm the
arrangement persists after logout/reboot. If using a high refresh rate or high DPI monitor,
check that those settings can be applied properly.
Audio & Sound Devices - Play
audio, then test switching outputs (speakers, headphones, HDMI) in the sound settings or
volume tray. Verify that output changes work and the output device names are clear
(PulseAudio/PipeWire handling). Also test mic input if you use one.
Sleep/Resume Stability - Do multiple
suspend/resume cycles on the installed system. Check if any device fails after suspend
(common issues: Wi-Fi not reconnecting, sound disappearing, or graphics glitches).
File Systems & Drives - If you
have a separate data or Windows partition (NTFS or ext4 for a Steam library, etc.), test
mounting it:
Most distros will auto-mount when you click the drive in the file manager. Some (e.g.
Nobara) auto-mount large partitions at boot by
default. Verify the drive appears and is writable.
Add the drive/library folder in Steam and ensure games can access it.
Dual-Boot Checks - Reboot into
Windows (if dual-booting) to ensure the time hasn’t skewed and Windows still boots
correctly. (If the clock is wrong between OSes, you may need to adjust Windows to use UTC or
Linux to use local time.)
Kernel & Laptop Specifics - If
using a laptop, test things like brightness keys, keyboard backlight toggle, touchpad
gestures, etc. Check if any device needs extra drivers (for example, some laptops need
asusctl - Nobara detects ASUS devices and offers to install this
utility).
Web Development Workflow
Development Tools Installation - Set
up a development environment:
Use Node Version Manager (nvm) to install the latest LTS Node.js. (Run the
curl ... | bash installer from nvm’s docs, then
nvm install --lts.) This tests that internet access, curl, and
the shell work correctly.
After installing, verify node -v and npm -v output expected
versions.
Install pnpm (e.g. npm install -g pnpm) and ensure it runs
(pnpm -v).
SvelteKit Project - Create a new
SvelteKit project: npm create svelte@latest myapp (choose SvelteKit +
TypeScript). Then cd myapp && pnpm install.
Run pnpm run dev to start the dev server. Confirm that it starts without
errors and you can view the app in a browser (e.g.
http://localhost:5173).
Modify a source file and save to test hot-reload. Ensure file watching works (no
excessive delay on updates).
Docker / Podman - Install Docker or
Podman:
On Ubuntu-based: sudo apt install docker.io (or use Docker’s official
script) and test with sudo docker run --rm hello-world.
On Fedora/Nobara: Podman may be pre-installed (podman --version). If not,
sudo dnf install podman and test podman run --rm hello-world.
On openSUSE: sudo zypper install docker (then
sudo systemctl enable --now docker) or install Podman similarly. Test
running a container as above.
Verify container networking works and that you can bind-mount a host directory into a
container if needed.
Inotify / File Watching - If you have
a very large codebase, check the system’s inotify watch limit (cat /proc/sys/fs/inotify/max_user_watches). Increase it if necessary (this can affect large projects’ hot-reload or file watchers in
tools like Vite/Webpack).
IDE/Editor Performance - Install your
preferred IDE (VS Code, WebStorm, or even a heavy text editor like Kate). Open a project and
use the editor:
Note if the editor is snappy and if language server / intellisense features work
smoothly.
Especially on KDE, check if heavy editing or multiple windows cause any desktop lag (try
moving a window around while running a build or search).
This subjective test reveals if the distro’s default config (CPU scheduler, etc.)
handles your workflow under load.
Gaming Support
Steam Installation - Install Steam:
Ubuntu-based (Kubuntu/Mint/Zorin): sudo apt install steam or use Software
Center (this should enable required 32-bit support). Verify Steam launches and updates.
Fedora/Nobara: Nobara includes Steam by default. On
vanilla Fedora, enable RPM Fusion then sudo dnf install steam.
openSUSE: add the Packman repo (for Steam and codecs) then
sudo zypper install steam.
Arch-based: ensure the multilib repo is enabled, then
sudo pacman -S steam.
Launch Steam and log in.
Proton and Game Launching - In Steam,
enable Proton for all titles (Steam Play settings). Install a Windows-only game:
On Nobara, use ProtonPlus (installed) to get the latest Proton-GE
version, then in Steam select it as the
compatibility tool for your game and launch the game.
On other distros, install a Proton-GE build (e.g. via ProtonUp-Qt or package manager) if
needed for the game. Check that the game runs (no missing libraries or crashes).
Controller / Peripheral Input - Test
game controllers: Steam (Big Picture or Controller Settings) should detect your
Xbox/PlayStation controller (wired or Bluetooth). Also test other devices (flight stick,
etc.) if available, to see if they require extra drivers or config.
Gaming Tweaks (Gamemode/MangoHUD) -
Verify Gamemode and MangoHUD functionality:
On Nobara, these are pre-installed (Gamemode auto-activates for games, MangoHUD can be
enabled via
GOverlay).
Launch a game with gamemoderun or MANGOHUD=1 %command% and
confirm the FPS overlay and performance tweaks kick in.
On Arch-based, install gamemode and mangohud if not present,
then test similarly (e.g. run a game with gamemoderun and see if
gamemode is active).
On Ubuntu-based, install gamemode (apt install gamemode) and
mangohud (from apt or Flatpak) and test as above.
Performance & Stability - Play a
demanding game or run a benchmark (if you have one like Unigine Heaven or a heavy Steam
game):
Monitor FPS and system behavior. Is one distro giving notably better or more consistent
performance? (This could be due to different kernels or background services. Garuda’s
Zen kernel and tweaks might show slight improvements in responsiveness.)
Check temperatures/fan noise if relevant, to see if any distro runs hotter or if CPU/GPU
governors differ.
Shared Steam Library - If you have a
shared Steam library partition:
Mount that partition (if not auto-mounted). On Nobara it might be mounted
already; on others you might need to click it in
the file manager or add an /etc/fstab entry for auto-mount.
In Steam, add the existing library folder and try launching a game installed on that
partition. Verify the game launches without re-downloading (if it’s an NTFS partition,
ensure it’s mounted with read-write and the correct permissions or uid for your user).
This checks NTFS/ext4 support and whether the distro handles secondary drives seamlessly
for Steam.
System Maintenance & Updates
Full Update Cycle - Perform a full
system update/upgrade:
Arch-based (Garuda/Manjaro): sudo pacman -Syu. Note the time taken and any
manual interventions needed. (Garuda tracks Arch unstable, so frequent small updates;
Manjaro batches updates, so the first update might be large.)
Debian/Ubuntu-based (Mint/Kubuntu/Zorin):
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade. Observe if any packages are
held back or if you need to add PPAs for newer versions of key software (Ubuntu LTS base
can have older kernels/Mesa, which you might update via a PPA).
Fedora/Nobara: sudo dnf upgrade or use the
Nobara System Update GUI
(nobara-sync). Nobara’s tool does
extra tasks (codec checks, etc.) to ensure a smooth update process.
openSUSE: sudo zypper refresh && sudo zypper dup (for Tumbleweed
rolling) or sudo zypper up (for Leap stable). Watch for any conflict
prompts. openSUSE’s Snapper will take pre/post snapshots automatically with zypper
changes.
Reboot & Smoke Test - After
updating, reboot. Ensure the system still boots and all major hardware (graphics,
networking) works post-update. (This is where a rolling release might show breakage if any;
a successful reboot is a good sign.)
Driver Updates - Check how driver
updates are handled:
When a new NVIDIA driver is released, does it come through the normal update channels?
(Ubuntu-based distros will include it via their repositories or an update tool;
Arch-based get it via pacman updates; Nobara/Fedora via RPM Fusion or Nobara’s repo;
openSUSE via their update repo or a manual repo add for Nvidia.)
If a new kernel installed, confirm that out-of-tree drivers (NVIDIA, VirtualBox, etc.)
still work (e.g. DKMS modules should rebuild automatically - verify the NVIDIA module
loads after a kernel update).
GUI Tools for Maintenance - Explore
the distro’s update and settings GUIs:
Ubuntu/Mint: Update Manager (Mint’s shows update categories and may
remind you about snapshots).
Manjaro: update notifier (pamac GUI) and Manjaro Settings Manager for
kernels/drivers.
Garuda: Garuda Assistant for maintenance tasks (including Snapper/BTRFS
snapshot management).
openSUSE: YaST Software Management and Snapper integration.
Try using these to update or configure something (e.g. switch kernel in Manjaro’s GUI or
view snapshots in Garuda’s Btrfs assistant) to see how user-friendly and robust they
are.
Rollback/Snapshot Recovery - If the
distro supports rollback snapshots:
On Garuda, test Btrfs snapshot restore: do a system update or change, then reboot into
Garuda snapshots in GRUB and choose the latest pre-update
snapshot. The system will prompt to restore it;
proceed and reboot, ensuring the system is back to the old
state.
On openSUSE, simulate a need to rollback: boot into a previous snapshot from the GRUB
menu (it will be read-only), then run sudo snapper rollback and reboot.
Confirm the system reverted to that snapshot’s state.
On Linux Mint (and any system where you configured Timeshift), use Timeshift to restore
a snapshot. Make sure personal files are backed up (Timeshift covers system files by
default).
Backup Solutions - Note what backup
tools are available:
Linux Mint includes Timeshift by default (and suggests configuring it
early).
Other distros might rely on the user to set up backups (Garuda and openSUSE focus on
system snapshots; for home directory backups you’d use something like Déjà Dup,
BackInTime, etc.).
If backups are important for you, consider how easily you can implement your backup
strategy on each finalist.
Stability & Logs - During
extended testing, keep an eye on system stability:
If you encounter crashes or freezes, check logs (journalctl -p 3 -xb for
errors).
Compare if one distro shows fewer errors or warnings in logs (e.g. ACPI or driver
errors) on your hardware.
This can hint which OS is a better match for your system long-term (less tinkering
needed to achieve stability).
Package Management & Software
Software Installation Experience -
Install a mix of software:
Graphical method: use the Software Center/Store (e.g. KDE Discover, GNOME Software, Mint
Software Manager) to install a popular app (Firefox, VLC, an IDE, etc.). Note if the
store is responsive and if installations complete without issues.
Command line: use the package manager (apt, dnf,
pacman, zypper) to install a tool (e.g. htop).
Observe the speed and output clarity. (Pacman and apt are typically fast; DNF and Zypper
might be a bit slower but offer more info.)
Flatpak/Snap Support - Check for
Flatpak or Snap integration:
Is Flatpak set up out-of-the-box? (Mint and Nobara enable Flathub by
default; on Kubuntu/Zorin you may need to add
Flathub in Discover or via command.)
Is Snap available? (Ubuntu-based distros have snapd pre-installed, but note: Linux Mint
deliberately disables snapd by default. If you
need Snap on Mint, you must remove the block and install snapd manually.)
Try installing an app via Flatpak (using Flathub) or Snap to ensure those systems work
on each distro.
AUR / COPR / PPAs (Third-Party) - For
distros with community/unofficial packages:
Arch-based (Manjaro/Garuda) - Enable and test an AUR package
installation (via pamac GUI or yay). For example, install a small app from
AUR and verify it builds/installs fine.
(This checks AUR compatibility, since Manjaro’s slightly delayed repos can
occasionally cause AUR build issues.)
Fedora/Nobara - Note that Nobara enables RPM Fusion by
default. Test installing something like
vlc or patented codecs to confirm they come in (from RPM Fusion). Avoid
random COPR repos unless needed, but know that
COPR exists for niche software if absolutely required.
Ubuntu-based - Try adding a PPA (e.g. for a newer Mesa driver or
proprietary app) with add-apt-repository, then install something from it.
Ensure apt update picks it up and the install succeeds. This gauges how
easy expanding software sources is.
Package Manager Performance - While
installing/updating, note system resource usage:
Check memory and CPU use during large package operations (open System Monitor or
top). Do updates slow down the system significantly or does it stay
responsive?
DNF and Zypper can be slower due to more metadata processing (and openSUSE’s delta
RPMs), whereas pacman and apt are generally quick. See if any differences stand out in
practice.
Quirks & Errors - Watch for any
package-management quirks or errors:
Mint blocking Snap installs (intentional, but
important if you need Snap).
openSUSE sometimes prompting to allow vendor change when installing
codecs (to switch to Packman packages).
Arch-based requiring occasional manual intervention on certain updates (e.g. merging
.pacnew config files).
These aren’t deal-breakers but should be noted for each distro’s maintenance profile.
KDE Desktop Experience (if applicable)
Plasma Version & Features - Check
the KDE Plasma version (plasmashell --version). Note if it’s the latest (Plasma
5.27+ as of 2025) or an older LTS release. Newer Plasma brings features like the Overview
effect, better Wayland support, etc. If using Kubuntu (LTS base), consider if you’re okay
with its Plasma version or if you’d enable the Kubuntu Backports PPA for newer KDE.
Look and Feel - Evaluate the default
KDE theme and settings:
Garuda’s “Dr460nized” theme is flashy (lots of blur and neon accents). Do you find it
appealing or too much?
Manjaro’s theme is closer to stock Breeze with a few custom touches.
openSUSE often applies a unique green color scheme to Plasma.
Kubuntu sticks near upstream defaults. (Zorin uses GNOME, so its look/feel is
separate.)
Decide which distro’s out-of-the-box appearance and polish you prefer - that can save
tweaking time.
Stability and Bugs - Use KDE on each
finalist for a while:
Does Plasma crash or freeze at all? (Watch if KWin or plasmashell ever restart in the
background.)
Test common Plasma functions: plugging into a projector or docking station (does the
display management behave?), changing display scaling, using media keys, etc. Any
glitches?
If you encounter KDE-specific issues on one distro and not another (with similar Plasma
versions), that could indicate better downstream patches or configs by that distro.
KDE Integration - Look for
distribution-specific KDE enhancements:
Do they have Discover set up to handle updates, Flatpak sources, and firmware (fwupd)
properly?
Are there extra KDE apps or utilities pre-installed (e.g. KDE Connect, Latte Dock,
custom Plasma widgets)? If so, do they add value or bloat?
Garuda includes a Btrfs snapshot tool (Btrfs Assistant) integrated with Plasma and
possibly performance monitors; Nobara’s “Official” edition is a custom KDE spin - note
if it adds useful tools or just theming.
These touches can improve the experience or be removed if unwanted, but they’re worth
checking out.
Performance Tweaks - Assess any KDE
performance differences:
Garuda’s use of a performance-tuned kernel and services (like ananicy for
process scheduling, zRam enabled, etc.) might make it feel more responsive under load.
See if you notice smoother performance during heavy multitasking or gaming on Garuda
versus others.
If you use Plasma’s Wayland session (test if available): is it stable on your hardware?
Some distros might default to X11 for NVIDIA compatibility. If Wayland is important (for
touchpad gestures, fractional scaling), see which distro does it best.
Check compositor settings (vsync, latency) - some distros might tweak these. Ensure
tearing is under control (especially for NVIDIA on X11, some might pre-set Force
Composition Pipeline).
Overall Comfort - Finally, reflect on
the overall desktop experience:
Did one distro’s KDE Plasma feel more “at home” for you? Consider things like default
shortcuts, menu layout, and general system polish.
If you tried a non-KDE (e.g. Zorin’s GNOME or Mint’s Cinnamon), did it hinder your
workflow or was it okay?
Your personal preference here matters a lot - the best distro is one where the
environment feels right and you’re not fighting defaults.
Distro-Specific Checks
(Only applicable to certain distros — ensure these unique features meet expectations.)
Garuda - Btrfs Snapshots: Garuda
automatically takes Btrfs snapshots (with Snapper) before
updates. Ensure this works by doing a rollback test:
Perform a system update or install some packages to generate a new snapshot (Garuda
creates one every time the system is updated).
Reboot and select the “Garuda snapshots” entry in GRUB, then boot into the latest
pre-update snapshot.
When prompted, confirm the restoration of that
snapshot and reboot.
Verify the system is back to the state before the update (check that the changes you
made are undone).
Garuda - Assistant & Gamer:
Explore Garuda Assistant (a central GUI for maintenance). Try tasks like
clearing package caches, updating the system, and managing Snapper/Btrfs snapshots through
it. Also, if installed, open Garuda Gamer and use it to install a tool or
two (e.g. Steam, Wine, game emulators) to see how convenient it is for setting up gaming
software.
Manjaro - MHWD & Kernels:
Manjaro’s Settings Manager makes driver and kernel management
easy. Open
Manjaro Settings Manager > Hardware Configuration and
note your devices and drivers. If you have an NVIDIA GPU, check that it’s using the
recommended proprietary driver (install it if not). Additionally, try the
Kernel section: install a newer kernel from the list, reboot, and verify
that the system can boot into it and that everything (Wi-Fi, graphics, etc.) still works.
Linux Mint - Update Policies: Mint’s
Update Manager might classify updates by safety or importance. Check its preferences and
ensure you’re getting all security updates. Mint also integrates Timeshift - it typically
suggests creating a snapshot on first update. Test
that by creating a Timeshift snapshot and then running Update Manager to apply all updates;
note if Mint warns you or offers to use a snapshot if something goes wrong.
Nobara - Gaming Enhancements: Nobara,
created by a Proton-GE developer, is tuned for gaming:
Confirm that Proton-GE is easy to set up via ProtonPlus (it should be installed; use it
to grab the latest GE version, then select it for a game in
Steam).
Check if the custom fixes and packages improve your experience: for instance, Nobara’s
OBS Studio comes with extra plugins and Vulkan capture support out of the
box. If you do any streaming or
recording, test that.
Because Nobara auto-mounts other drives and has media codecs pre-loaded, note if you had
to do less post-install setup here than on other distros (this convenience is a big plus
of Nobara’s out-of-the-box experience).
openSUSE - Snapper Rollback:
openSUSE’s snapshot system is a standout feature:
Perform an action to test rollback (e.g. install a package or create a file you can
later check).
Reboot and choose a prior snapshot from the GRUB
Bootable Snapshots menu (it boots the system in a read-only snapshot).
Then open a terminal and run sudo snapper rollback to make that snapshot
the current state.
Reboot and verify the system state is restored (the test file or package is gone).
Familiarize yourself with Snapper’s UI in YaST or the CLI to see how snapshot management
works in openSUSE.
Zorin OS - Windows App Support: Zorin
includes an easy way to run Windows apps (Wine integration). Test this by double-clicking a
Windows .exe installer. Zorin should offer to install “Windows App Support” (if
not already installed) and then attempt to run the .exe. This can be useful for any
Windows-only game launchers or dev tools you might need; see if it works out-of-the-box.
Zorin OS - User Interface: Since
Zorin uses GNOME with a Windows-like layout, assess whether its desktop can meet your needs
(especially if you prefer KDE). Try the Zorin Appearance tool to switch
layouts/themes and see if that helps. If you find yourself missing KDE-specific features
(like detailed customization or certain widgets), take note - it might influence your
decision if Zorin was otherwise a top choice.
Final Deliberation - Using all the
data points above, evaluate which distro shines for you:
Hardware: Which had the best device support with the least hassle?
Dev Work: Where did your web development setup run most smoothly?
Gaming: Which gave you the best combination of performance and easy
configuration?
Desktop: Which desktop environment (and distro defaults) felt most
comfortable for you?
Also consider long-term factors like rolling vs LTS updates, community support, and how
much tweaking you had to do. The goal is to choose the distro that makes your dual-boot
life (gaming + development with KDE) easiest and most enjoyable based on these tests.