Summary
- No 'wrong' first distro—pick what you want, but know some are harder to set up
- EndeavourOS is an easier Arch-based pick—now with a refreshed ISO for simpler installs
- Ganymede Neo updates: Calamares boot fix, refreshed packages, and open Nvidia drivers by default
In my opinion, there is no real "wrong answer" when picking out your very first Linux distro. Yes, some options are more difficult to set up, more niche, and may confuse a newcomer more than other distros, but if someone really has their mind set on a specific one, I think people should give it a go, as long as they understand what they're getting into.
For example, while I really like Arch Linux, and I don't want to dissuade anyone who really wants to use it, I wouldn't recommend it to someone who's simply curious about what Linux can do. However, I would recommend EndeavourOS, which is essentially Arch Linux but a lot simpler to get up and running. And now, with an ISO refresh, EndeavourOS just got even easier to install.
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EndeavourOS Ganymede Neo is now available for download
Not much here for existing users, though
As spotted by Linuxiac, EndeavourOS has just released Ganymede Neo. Every so often, the EndeavourOS team will release a "Neo" variant of its current OS version. The goal of these Neo ISOs is to bring the initial setup image more in line with the current version of the OS. As such, the EndeavourOS Ganymede Neo ISO includes some nice tweaks and features that regular Ganymede users have already received, and is more aimed at people installing the OS fresh.
So, what does Ganymede Neo introduce that the regular Ganymede ISO didn't have? Well, this new installer now contains the following updated apps:
- Calamares 26.01.1.5-1
- Firefox 146.0.1-1
- Linux 6.18.4.arch1-1
- Mesa 1:25.3.3-2
- Xorg-server 21.1.21-1 (xorg)
- Nvidia-utils 590.48.01-2
The new ISO fixes a bug with Calamares, which was causing long boot times on new installs before people could update it. The Nemo preview package has been deleted from the Cinnamon and Budgie bundles after it was removed from Arch Linux's repository, and EndeavourOS now uses open Nvidia drivers out of the box after some changes to how drivers are handled.
Again, if you're already using EndeavourOS Ganymede, you'll already have these changes if you keep your OS updated. For everyone else, however, this newer version of the OS will let people hit the ground running better than the older one. Head over to the EndeavourOS website to give Ganymede Neo a spin.