After using Arch & Artix for a while, I believe that Artix will be the only distro anyone will ever need, as newbies can use ISOs with preinstalled desktop environments (I recommend either Cinnamon / Mate / XFCE, with runit), while confident (and/or advanced) users have the base ISO. Either way, Artix users will not face issues stemming from systemD (except for Artix's package maintainers, as they're the ones who clean up systemD dependencies). If anyone disagrees with me & prefers Ubuntu / Mint / any other distros, cool.
Regardless, if you insist on reading the distro list, read on below.
Just a short & narrow list of the distros I've tried for a bit. It is incomplete on purpose since there's many distros out there (as of 16/11/2021 I am no longer going to test out any distros, aside from Artix, and probably Arch).
For an even more complete distro list, I recommend looking up DistroWatch.
ELDRITCHDATA also has a one of these, you can look it up here : Link
Generally, Arch-based distros are my recommended choice, only because I'm more comfortable with them.
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Recommended for advanced users only.
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I said "potentially" because by default, Arch will disable the truly bleeding-edge "Testing" repositories.
Instead of most distros' "remove what you don't want", Arch goes by "add what you want, including their dependencies". This means that you're theoretically aware that you're the one breaking the system by adding the software.
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Flashing it in ISO mode will lead to GRUB error.
New users might have to search the internet for an easier to follow installation guide. To spare some trivial effort of using a search engine, here's an example in Luke Smith's guide.
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Basically Arch, but without systemd.
Recommended for either beginners (prebuilt DE) and/or confident (and/or advanced) users (base) who'd like to use an Arch-based distro, but refuse systemD.
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Disadvantages:
Flashing it in ISO mode will lead to GRUB error.
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A "terminal-centric" distro aimed at distrohoppers.
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The installer is available in offline mode & online mode. The latter allows you to pick your DE of choice during installation.
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Straight up Arch, but also catering itself to beginners by including a graphical environment.
If I do have to say any "firsts" for any Arch-based distro, then Manjaro is my first foray into Arch-based distros.
Generally recommended for Linux beginners.
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Allows you to easily install Arch packages. Auto updates are enabled by default.
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While there are Debian-based distros, some of these distros would base themselves on Ubuntu due to its popularity. Ubuntu-based distros will be marked as such.
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Once your installed distro reaches EOL, you may have to reinstall the latest version in order to keep getting updates.
For historical reference, Mint is the first distro I've ever used.
I'd recommend this over Ubuntu for Linux beginners who'd like to use Ubuntu / Debian distros.
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The GNU/Linux distro normies will probably ever know.
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Latest supported version is 18.04.
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Anytime you install an app from Ubuntu's app store, Snap will be installed unless it's unable to.
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A distro that claims to be an alternative to Windows & macOS.
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This distro can also be called "Red Hat Active Beta".
Recommended for new users and / or those looking for a more business-oriented distro while also enjoying the (somewhat) bleeding edge.
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