Ok, semi serious(ish) question from Bowie’s photographer.

Before I get started: Please don’t put too much thought into the response, just weighing my options (I’m probably going to just succumb to the dark side and go with Windows because it’s the least friction [but heck it feels slimey lately]).

Currently running Windows 10 for Steam + Game Pass + Photoshop/Lightroom

My install is starting to feel flakey and I either need to do a clean install of Windows 11 or find an alternative (Linux + with whatever game magic is running on the Steamdeck).

I could technically do the Photoshop stuff on my Intel Macbook, but that means getting a KVM switch that lets me switch between 3 machines.

So, what’s the most reliable brain-dead Linux distro that’s game friendly?

Kubuntu is the easiest entrypoint for a noob IME. It was my first distro.

Perfect thank you, this gives me the starting point I need!

As for gaming, literally just install Steam and try installing some games from your library. Steam automatically loads up Proton which is the compatibility tool that makes Steam games work on Linux. If you want to check, you can go to the website ProtonDB, but 99% of the time, they’ll just work.

If you need something not on steam (GOG, Epic etc) you’ll also want Heroic Game Launcher which wraps those services in the same Steam Linux magic.