Best Linux Distro suited for Laptops

[scharfshutze009]

Which Linux Distro's are suited for Laptops? I've seen Ubuntu as the default and only OS on System 76 machines. Linuxmint and other distributions available for Penquin Linux Laptops. I have a Dell M6800 with a Core i7 4710MQ processor, 16 GB of DDR3, and a 1 TB 5400rpm hard drive. All other specs probably don't need to be mentioned except may the wireless and the Ethernet, which are wireless n and gigabit ethernet. I currently have Windows 10 Pro installed from a Windows 7 Pro upgrade, but all attempts to dual boot have been unsuccessful because disk management won't let me resize the partition without freezing.

I have several Debian distro's including Crunchbang, Damn Small, Linuxmint (LMDE) 1 and 2, and Ubuntu. I really want to do LMDE, but Dell says they won't support it and I'm not surprised. However, how will it react to my hardware and will I need drivers. Will I be able to reinstall Windows 10 from my Windows Image file or discs successfully considering I've never used those before or in a long time for anything especially to restore from because I usually don't have a clean image to create them from. I have several other distro's to, but considering I want something that still does all or most of what Windows did then a Debian distro seems best suited for this. What does anyone else think that can provide helpful advice.

 

[skiddierow]

I have dual boot Ubuntu and Win 7 on my own laptop.

Ubuntu forks (includes mint I think) have the best hardware support in my experience.

The latest Kubuntu has a pretty slick GUI that's similar to Windows also.

You should really get an SSD with that laptop (5400rpm is hell). Your Precision probably has two HDD bays.

 

[Frobozz]

If you've done a Windows 10 upgrade, then your hardware has an identifier stored with Microsoft that will auto-validate when you reinstall. If you get Windows 10 install media (bootable usb stick, etc..) you should have no problem wiping and reloading should your run into a Linux wall you can't climb. Disclaimer: I have not done a Win10 clean install, but that's what I've read others state definitively. However, worst case is you can get Win7 restore media from Dell and upgrade to 10 again.

After that, I'd guess that you'll have the best luck with a Debian derivative like something in the Ubuntu family. The wireless card looks to be an Atheros AR9485 which some googling looks like Debian has drivers for OOTB - my guess is it'll pick it up without having to fiddle with it.

I'd expect the defaults with chosen for the AMD FirePro to probably work, but it could be a point of tweaking.

You could/should certainly try out a few LiveCD/USBs to preview how it will go. In my experience, Fedora isn't bad either, but nothing too different going on.

Also.. as always.. be sure to backup your data before you start to play.