If you’re just getting started with Linux, the sheer number of distros can feel completely overwhelming. Don’t worry – that’s exactly how everyone feels at first.
There are literally hundreds of Linux distros out there, each designed for different use cases. Some are built for servers, some for security and privacy, and others for creative work and gaming.
So why are there so many options out there?
How it Started
Back in 1991, Linus Torvalds was a computer science student in Finland. At university he’d been using Unix — a powerful and efficient operating system, but also really expensive to buy. Wanting something similar for his home PC, he set about trying to create his own version.
Six months later, he had developed a kernel — the core code that lets software talk to hardware — and most importantly, he got it to work with existing programs. Torvalds believed in free and open software, so he began to share it with other programmers, inviting them to test it and improve on it. That collaboration is how Linux was born.
The Birth of Linux Distributions
As Linux grew, communities began packaging the kernel together with different software to create complete operating systems.
Some focused on system stability for servers, others wanted cutting-edge tools for developers, and many worked on making Linux simple for everyday users.
Because of this, there was never just one “Linux operating system” — instead, many different versions emerged, all built on the same Linux kernel. These versions are called distributions, or “distros”.
Today there are several major base distributions:
- Debian – stable and focused on free software
- Red Hat/Fedora – commercial enterprise / community dev space
- Arch – cutting-edge features and full user control
- SUSE – enterprise-ready with strong admin tools
These form a foundation for “downstream” versions — customised distros made for specific purposes. For example, Ubuntu is Debian-based with extensive hardware support for beginners, and Bazzite is Fedora-based optimised for gaming.
Key Differences
Some distros, like Ubuntu, come ready to use right away, while others, like Arch, give you just the bare bones and you need to build the rest from scratch. Here’s some key things to look out for:
- Desktop Look and Feel
The most immediate thing you’ll notice is the look and feel of the desktop. Some are similar to Windows, some are similar to Mac, and others are completely different.
- Hardware Support
Some distros support almost everything out of the box, so your system works straight away, but this can take up more space and system resources. Others are very compact and highly optimised, but you’ll need to install drivers one by one to get everything working.
- Software Installation and Management
Each distro has its own system for installing and managing software, using repositories — think of them as app stores where you can safely get new programs.
- Updates
Distros vary in how and when they get updates:- Stable versions push updates only once they’ve been thoroughly tested.
- Rolling releases provide updates as soon as new features are ready, giving you the latest tools but sometimes risking system stability.
So Where Do I Start?
The best approach for new-comers is to start with something stable that just works out of the box – you can always switch to something else later once you understand how it all works.
For audio production, I recommend Ubuntu Studio LTS. It’s beginner-friendly and comes pre-configured with everything you need: DAWs, plugins, video editing, so you can start making music immediately.
