The original post: /r/linux by /u/PramodVU1502 on 2025-03-12 15:53:27.
BTW, there is a new sub exclusively for discussing and criticizing these new class of distros: r/LinuxAtomic [A few posts and mods needed; The sub is yet to gain traction…]
I personally use Fedora Kinoite.
Atomic “immutable” distros like these have quite a few safety functionality, making them more usable for the average user.
You can install packages just as usual, but flatpaks and containers are recommended.
You can even modify the immutable parts with a simple unlock command, for oddball cases… You aren’t fully locked out
Yes, a reboot is required, but not an explicit reboot like windows… Updates occur in background, and the reboot is only to remount the rootfs to the new set of packages; Just power cycle your system as you use it.
Even on mutable distros, to avoid implicit breakage and to provide full support [latest most stable version], it is recommended to use toolboxes/distroboxes/containers along with flatpaks.
Yes, you can’t change the kernel/bootloader, but why would a non-enthusiast want that? A non-hobbyist wants it “Just Works”, and defaults usually do.
NVidia support is (almost) flawless with the nvidia-open drivers… Some kinks are there but they’re being ironed out.
Trust me, I am a enthusiast-hobbyist but I have real work to do too. I switched from gentoo to Kinoite.
If a traditional distro works for you, enjoy. If it doesn’t, try the atomic distros.
I have never touched the terminal for anything except for testing toolbox and to replace the fedora flatpaks with flathub.
Printer driver needs to edit config in /usr? As I mentioned, you can make selective changes to the immutable parts.
Some software doesn’t work, but rest all do. Things are being ironed out. Improving.
If a traditional distro works for you, enjoy with it.
If it doesn’t, try the atomic distros.
They will work 96% of the time extremely well, but fail for the 4% oddball cases [including make install PREFIX=/usr; /usr/local is free for you to tinker with].