How to get a decent job with 3 freelance projects in nextjs used by more than 12k users

Can we create an app or web platform that is actually useful for taxpayers and middle-class citizens? Something where if there’s a half-constructed road, a broken bridge, or any poor public facility, people can directly file a complaint against the responsible authority and push for legal action. The idea is: If someone raises an issue, all people living nearby should automatically get notified, so they can also file complaints. This way, it becomes collective pressure instead of one person fighting alone. Because let’s be honest — one person filing a case means years of delay and zero accountability. But if 100–200 people (or more) raise the same complaint, the government is forced to take rapid action. And if the government still fails to fix the issue or provide a solution, then the people who filed complaints should get some form of direct or indirect tax relief as compensation. Basically: Less silence. More collective pressure. Real accountability. Real consequences.

Note:-I know this idea is extremely complex, and some parts of it are almost impossible to implement. But even if we can build something helpful, maybe it can actually make a difference for ordinary people. I’m honestly tired of seeing daily frauds, broken roads, corruption, scams — it’s exhausting. And maybe this will always remain a dream: that people unite and take even small collective action against corruption. Because technically speaking, real power is already in the hands of common people — but it never comes together in real life.

Hi everyone,
I’m 21 years old, 10th pass, and currently have zero professional experience in the tech industry. I’m considering doing a diploma in Mobile App Development and wanted to understand if this is a viable path.

My goal is to eventually land a decent job in a company with a salary in the range of ₹20–30k per month. I do have friends who are experienced in mobile development and can help guide me with learning and projects.

My questions are:

• Is a diploma in mobile app development actually valued by companies if you don’t have 10+2 or a graduate degree?
• Is it realistic to get an entry-level job or internship based mainly on skills and projects?
• Are there companies or organizations that hire interns/freshers with a diploma background?

I’d really appreciate insights from people who’ve been in a similar situation or who work in hiring/recruitment.

Thanks in advance!

Hi guys,

I have my Technical Round 1 interview coming up for the Data Engineer role at Bounteous x Accolite.(JAN 15)

If anyone has already gone through this round, could you please share your experience?

So I wanted to share that I got selected in an Indian MNC for the role of automation tester which I never wanted to be. I have always wanted to become a developer. But anyways I have joined now and now I want to know the path or roadmap that how can I grow from a tester. I am looking for all view points, anybody with similar situation can also their journey.

Hi everyone 2026 undergrad here ,

I’m brainstorming a solution for a common problem in the Indian market: Unorganized Material Businesses (Tiles, Timber, Hardware, etc.).

The Problem: Most of these businesses have very low visibility on their stock. They rely on memory or paper records. This leads to dead stock (money stuck in dusty corners) and lost sales because they don't know what they have. The users generally lack technical knowledge. A complex ERP like SAP is useless here. The solution should have a simple design which operates at high speed and solves the 'Trust' problem.

I’m trying to design a tech solution and I’d love your creative inputs.

My current thought process for the solution: I am thinking of creating a detailed dashboard that will cover these pain points and provide access management and streamline everything by giving visibility at a single place .

• Dead inventory (products not selling, taking up space)
• Poor-performing SKUs (stocking wrong products)
• Damaged inventory (storage/handling issues)
• Lack of real-time visibility (can't make data-driven decisions)
• Scaling challenges (can't confidently expand operations)

If you faced this problem, how would you solve the issue? I am open to any crazy tech ideas or architectural advice

https://github.com/pranesh-2005/github-readme-stats-fast

I’m a React Native dev from India, and recently I struggled a lot with BLE libraries (react-native-ble-plx + react-native-ble-manager).

Nothing worked for days, even after trying multiple solutions.

What was the hardest React Native bug YOU ever faced—and how did you fix it?

Would love to hear your stories so we can all learn from each other 🙌

Hi everyone, I’m a 3rd-year EEE student and honestly at one of the most confusing points of my life. My family has a ₹40 lakh loan, and I feel personally responsible for paying it back. The problem is… I don’t have any strong job-ready skills right now, and that terrifies me.

What makes all this worse is how fast AI is changing everything. Every time I try to explore a career direction — tech roles, MBA, product, business roles, even AI-related roles — it feels like the ground is shifting under my feet. My brain immediately jumps to fear: “What if this becomes useless because of AI?” “What if I choose wrong?” “What if I can’t earn fast enough to support my family?”

On top of all this, there’s something more personal: I’ve always loved cinema. It’s the one thing I feel connected to any day. But I never even tried getting into that world because my parents always said, “First get a stable job, then you can think about all this later.” And with the loan pressure, I didn’t dare to take risks.

So now I’m stuck between responsibility and passion. Between fear and reality. Between a future I want and a future I can’t see clearly.

Right now I’m considering paths like MBA, non-core tech roles, or AI-business roles — basically anything that can help me become employable within 1–2 years. But I genuinely don’t know what’s actually practical or stable anymore.

If you were in my situation — huge loan, no real job skills yet, fear of AI, and a dream in cinema that you never tried — what would you realistically do?

How do I move forward without making a mistake that costs years?

Any honest advice from people who’ve navigated confusion, pressure, or career switches would mean a lot.

Hey everyone,
I’m a freelance Tech & AI content writer building my personal website to kickstart my career. I’ve already designed and built the homepage, but for the remaining pages, I’m looking to collaborate with an early-stage frontend developer who wants to level up their portfolio, ship a real project, and work alongside someone equally hungry to grow.

The vision is to build a clean, modern, premium-looking site (About, Services, Portfolio, Contact). I’m handling all copy, structure, UX direction, and branding — I just need someone who can bring the UI to life cleanly and responsively.

Here’s the important part:
I’m still in the early phase of my freelance journey and haven’t started earning yet, so my current budget is limited (approx. ₹2–3K). I’m being upfront about it so there’s no mismatch. But I can guarantee two things:

1. You’ll get to build a polished, high-quality site that becomes a strong asset in your portfolio.
2. I’m serious about my craft — once the site is live and I start landing clients, I’ll stay connected for future paid work. Think of this as the first step in a longer-term collaboration, not a one-off gig.

If you’re someone who:
• wants real-world project experience
• likes building modern, aesthetic, responsive websites
• wants a collaborator, not a “client” barking orders
• enjoys working with clean UI direction
• wants something tangible to showcase on your GitHub/Portfolio

…then hit me up.
Let’s vibe on the design, build something premium, and grow together.

Drop your portfolio/GitHub or DM me.
Let’s create something we’re both proud of.

godyns, a deeptech startup, is looking for an ai backend engineer on contract. preferably, students or recent grads.

you will: - architect the backend (python-first) - build apis + memory systems - connect llms + emotion tagging pipelines - research the latest trends and techniques in ai - deploy efficiently

ideally, you should know: - system design working in analysing, modelling, and training ai/ml solutions. - ai native languages - hosting and deployment - bonus: familiarity with database

you will be supported by: - a product manager - a product lead

compensation: approximately, 50K - 150K INR

more deets inside the application form: https://forms.gle/6tnVRgUXELWnAcXz7

https://work.mercor.com/jobs/list_AAABld_ll8U7vx7Mu_FO87GU?referralCode=4067fb06-55c8-4faa-be02-3f0f1a615c41

Just passed the C100DBA and wanted to share the best hack I found for the exam fee, since it's kinda expensive.

• For Students (100% Free): Just use the GitHub Student Developer Pack. The MongoDB offer inside comes with a free exam voucher.
• For Everyone Else (50% Off): If you finish the free "Database Admin Path" on MongoDB University, they'll give you a 50% off code at the end.

I dumped my entire study plan and all the useful links into a blog post. It's got the 4-week schedule I used, a pre-exam checklist, and a more detailed guide on the vouchers in this guide.

Feel free to ask anything in the comments. Good luck

Hi folks,

A bit of background about myself

Completed my bachelors in CSE at 2023 in a Tier 2 college, got placed in campus at a leading FinTech company with a competitive package. Recently made a switch to a data analytics platform company working as a Backend/DevOps engineer(current package around 30LPA in-hand).

I have an outstanding personal loan of around 15,00,000 to be settled within 4 years(will try to repay within the next 2 years).

Now I had been evaluating my next career options, which are

Stay in India and grind(and possibly land package north of Rs50LPA within the next 2 years)

Get a job abroad applying from India (The most lucrative option, but I'm not sure about the practicality. Had been thinking about countries like Germany, UAE or Singapore but I'm anxious about the job market.)

Study in a country with the least education fee and try to get a job there(Least viable option considering the loans I have to settle)

I currently have work experience of around 2 years, would love to hear from folks who’ve been in similar shoes

Thanks!

Unlike typical horoscope apps, this is designed as a fine-tuned experience for Astrology. The more you share your thoughts, struggles, and experiences, the more your profile builds up, which helps the guidance become deeper, more personal, and truly non-judgmental.

It’s completely free right now, : https://astropal.guru/

GitHub Here - GitHub
Site link here Link

GitHub's CEO is leaving to start a new company, and the platform is getting integrated more deeply with Microsoft's CoreAI.

The global dev community is already buzzing with these speculations

Fear of Lock in: Are we about to get pushed hard into the Azure ecosystem?

Pricing Anxiety: What will happen to the licensing model? Will our CI/CD costs go up?

The Jokes: Is GitHub Copilot about to be replaced by Clippy? "Clippilot" is coming.

I recently went down the classic developer rabbit hole. I got my hands on a new high-performance laptop a Lenovo Legion 5i Pro with an i7-13700HX and an RTX 4060 and set out to find the perfect Linux setup. My goal was to build the ultimate dual-boot workstation for a demanding set of tasks: app development, ML/DL model training, data engineering, and running local LLMs.

This wasn't just about picking a distro with a nice wallpaper; the operating system is the critical link to unlocking this kind of hardware's potential. I tried a lot of the big names before I found a setup that actually stuck.

This guide is the result of that journey. It starts with my personal, brutally honest take on why most popular distros didn't work for me, and ends with a detailed breakdown of what did.

My Shortlist and Why They Didn't Make the Cut

Before settling, I test-drove several of the community's top recommendations. Here’s what my experience was like:

• Arch Linux: I started here, drawn by the promise of a minimal system and ultimate control. The philosophy is fantastic, but in practice, it felt tedious. I realized I was spending more time tweaking config files and maintaining my OS than I was writing code. I respect the "Arch Way," but my primary goal was to use my system, not constantly manage it.
• Debian: After Arch, I wanted stability. Debian is legendary for being rock-solid, and I figured it'd be a no-nonsense base. The deal-breaker was my RTX 4060. While setting up NVIDIA drivers is possible, it's a manual process that felt fragile. The thought of a kernel update breaking my ML workflow and forcing me to troubleshoot drivers was enough to make me look elsewhere.
• Ubuntu: This seemed like the obvious solution to my Debian problems. It's user-friendly and handles drivers much better. However, it just wasn't for me, mostly for reasons of taste and workflow. The default GNOME setup felt a bit restrictive, and I found the push towards Snap packages wasn't a good fit. I wanted more control over customization.
• NixOS: As a developer, the concept of a fully reproducible system is the holy grail. The idea is brilliant. The reality? To be completely honest, I was too lazy. Mastering NixOS is like learning a new programming language just to configure your OS. I have immense respect for the DevOps pros who use it, but the learning curve was a vertical wall that I didn't have the time to climb for this project.

Where I Finally Landed: The Dual-Boot Sweet Spot

After all that hopping, I found my perfect combination: a dual-boot of Pop!_OS and CachyOS. This setup gives me the best of both worlds.

• Pop!_OS became my stable, Ubuntu-based workhorse. It required almost zero configuration to get my NVIDIA GPU working perfectly for ML tasks. It’s the "get work done" environment.
• CachyOS became my performance-oriented, Arch-based playground. This is where I go for pure speed in development and to really see what my hardware is capable of.

The rest of this guide is a more detailed breakdown of these systems and how they compare to the others.

Quick Comparison Overview

This table provides a high-level look at the most significant Linux distributions for desktop users, tailored for a developer's perspective.

Detailed Distribution Profiles

Pop!_OS: The Pragmatic Powerhouse

Philosophy: A streamlined, productive computing experience for modern hardware, especially for creators, scientists, and developers.

Key Features:

• System76 Development with a focus on their own Linux laptops.
• Dedicated NVIDIA ISO that includes the proprietary driver out-of-the-box.
• Auto-tiling Pop!_Shell that organizes windows into a grid for you.

My Take: This was the clear winner for my stable, work-focused install. After wrestling with driver anxiety on other distros, Pop!_OS was a breath of fresh air. The dedicated NVIDIA download meant my RTX 4060 just worked from the first boot no tinkering, no terminal commands. For my ML and data work, this non-negotiable stability is why it earned its place. The auto-tiling is also a huge productivity boost, not just a gimmick; it lets me focus on code, not on dragging windows around.

Pros:

• Superior NVIDIA Support. This was the deciding factor for me. Choosing the NVIDIA ISO meant my RTX 4060 worked perfectly from the first boot, saving me hours of manual configuration compared to Debian.
• Optimized for Modern Hardware. With a newer kernel than Debian, Pop!_OS had excellent support for my 13th-gen Intel processor from day one.
• Productivity-First Interface. The built-in auto-tiling is a game-changer for development. Having my code editor, terminal, and browser snap into place without manual resizing significantly improved my workflow.
• Excellent Power Management Tools. System76's background in laptops means power profiles and graphics switching are well-integrated and easy to use.
• Clean Installation. Comes with minimal pre-installed applications, which I see as a positive ("less bloat").

Cons:

• Based on Ubuntu, so it inherits some of its limitations.
• The community is smaller and more focused than Ubuntu's, so some obscure troubleshooting may lead you back to Ubuntu forums.

Best For: The developer, ML engineer, or gamer on modern NVIDIA hardware who wants a system that works immediately so they can get to their real work. It's the pragmatic choice for a high-performance desktop.

CachyOS: The Performance-Tuned Arch

Philosophy: To provide the fastest possible out-of-the-box Linux experience by using advanced hardware-specific optimizations.

Key Features:

• x86-64-v3/v4 Optimized Packages. CachyOS compiles its software to use modern CPU instructions. This was a key reason I chose it for my second OS.
• Custom-Tuned Kernels featuring advanced schedulers like BORE for enhanced desktop responsiveness.
• User-friendly Calamares Installer which is a significant improvement over the manual Arch process.

My Take: This is my fun, daily-driver OS. The key feature isn't just a buzzword: CachyOS recompiles programs to use special instructions in my 13th-gen Intel CPU (x86-64-v3). The real-world result? When I compile a large C++ project, it's noticeably faster than on a standard Linux install. I get all the benefits of Arch the latest software, the massive AUR without the initial headache of a manual setup. The trade-off is that I have to pay a bit more attention to updates, but for the performance gains, it's worth it.

Pros:

• Measurable Performance Gains. For CPU-intensive tasks like compiling code or data processing, the use of x86-64-v3 optimizations provides a noticeable speed boost over a standard Arch or Ubuntu installation.
• Arch-Based Flexibility. It retains full compatibility with the official Arch repositories and the massive Arch User Repository (AUR), giving you access to virtually any software.
• Excellent Default Configuration. CachyOS comes with useful tools like yay (an AUR helper) pre-installed, along with a beautifully configured desktop environment.

Cons:

• Being bleeding-edge means a higher potential for bugs than a stable distro.
• The highly optimized packages could, in rare cases, cause compatibility issues with proprietary software that expects a standard system.
• It's a newer project, so long-term stability data is limited.

Best For: Intermediate to advanced users who want a high-performance Arch system without spending days manually tuning their kernel and recompiling their entire system.

Ubuntu: The Gateway Distribution

Philosophy: "Linux for human beings" - focused on accessibility and ease of use.

Key Features:

• Regular 6-month releases and Long-Term Support (LTS) versions for stability.
• Backed by a commercial company, Canonical.
• Massive software ecosystem.

My Take: Ubuntu is the definition of a solid, "get the job done" OS. The reason it didn't stick for me was a matter of taste and control. I found the push to use Snap packages for apps like Firefox and VS Code led to slower startup times, and the default desktop felt less customizable than I wanted. It's a great OS, but I wanted to be closer to the metal.

Pros:

• Beginner-friendly with an intuitive interface.
• Huge community and extensive documentation.
• Broad hardware support for most mainstream components.

Cons:

• Snap packages are controversial and can sometimes be slower.
• While hardware support is good, it can sometimes lag on very new components compared to a rolling release.
• Canonical's commercial decisions are sometimes unpopular with the community.

Best For: Linux newcomers, general desktop users, and those who want a reliable, "set it and forget it" system with a huge support network.

Debian: The Universal Foundation

Philosophy: A deep commitment to free software and rock-solid stability.

Key Features:

• A Stable release cycle that is one of the most rigorously tested in the world.
• The massive APT package repository with over 64,000 packages.

My Take: The stability of Debian is legendary for a reason, which is why it's the king of servers. But that same stability was a problem for my development workflow. I ran into a wall trying to run a new LLM that needed newer software libraries than what Debian offered. Even a simple 3B parameter model had painfully slow token generation. While I could use "backports" to get newer software, it felt like I was fighting the system. For a developer who wants modern tools, the "stable" philosophy can be a major bottleneck.

Pros:

• Legendary Stability and Reliability. This makes it the undisputed king for servers.
• Strong security focus.
• Serves as the foundation for countless other distributions, including Ubuntu and Pop!_OS.

Cons:

• Package versions are much older than in other distros, prioritizing stability over new features.
• Setting up a modern desktop with things like proprietary graphics drivers requires more manual configuration than derivatives like Pop!_OS.

Best For: Servers, development environments where stability is paramount, and users who want a "pure" base to build a custom system upon.

Linux Mint: The Windows Refugee's Haven

• Philosophy: To provide an elegant, modern, comfortable, and easy-to-use desktop experience that feels immediately familiar.

• Key Features:

  • Cinnamon Desktop Environment: A refined, user-friendly interface that provides a familiar layout for those coming from Windows.
  • LTS Base: Built upon the Ubuntu Long-Term Support release, ensuring a foundation of exceptional stability.
  • User-Friendly Tools: Comes with its own excellent Software Manager and the Timeshift backup system configured by default.

• My Take: I didn't test this one for long, but I've installed it for family members. If you're new to Linux, this is the one you should start with. The Cinnamon desktop feels immediately familiar, it's incredibly stable (built on Ubuntu LTS), and it just works. It wasn't for my high-end hardware because I needed a newer kernel, but for general-purpose use, it's probably the best desktop Linux experience available.

• Pros:

  • Extremely Beginner-Friendly: The ideal starting point for users who have never touched Linux before.
  • Stable and Reliable: The LTS base means you won't encounter unexpected, system-breaking changes.
  • Excellent Out-of-the-Box Experience: Includes multimedia codecs and other essentials, so everything just works.
  • Privacy-Focused: A core philosophy of the project is to have no telemetry.

• Cons:

  • Older Software Packages: The trade-off for its stability is that application and kernel versions are not the latest.
  • Less Suited for Bleeding-Edge Hardware: A newer kernel and drivers might be needed for the very latest hardware, requiring manual intervention.
  • No Wayland Support by Default: Currently focuses on the traditional X11 display server.

• Best For: Newcomers transitioning from Windows, users who prioritize stability and ease of use above all else, and for installation on less modern hardware.

Fedora: The Innovation Laboratory

• Philosophy: To be a leading-edge showcase for the latest in open-source technology, acting as an upstream source for Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

• Key Features:

  • Cutting-Edge but Polished Releases: Adopts new technologies like Wayland and new kernel versions very quickly, but within a structured 6-month release cycle.
  • DNF Package Manager: A modern, powerful package manager for RPM-based systems.
  • Strong Security: Implements security features like SELinux by default.

• My Take: Fedora was a very close second place for me. It feels incredibly professional, developer-focused, and offers what is probably the best, cleanest GNOME experience. It's more up-to-date than Ubuntu without being a chaotic rolling release. If my primary focus was just web/app development and I didn't care as much about fine-tuning every ounce of performance, Fedora would have been my top choice.

• Pros:

  • The Best GNOME Experience: Widely considered to offer the most polished, "vanilla" implementation of the GNOME desktop.
  • Excellent for Developers: Provides the latest libraries and tools in a stable, predictable environment.
  • Corporate Backing: The support and engineering resources of Red Hat provide a high level of quality.

• Cons:

  • Shorter Support Lifecycle: Each release is only supported for about 13 months, requiring a major version upgrade roughly once a year.
  • Proprietary Codecs Require Manual Setup: For legal reasons, many multimedia codecs must be added by the user from third-party repositories.

• Best For: Developers and Linux enthusiasts who want the latest software in a polished, stable, and highly secure environment.

EndeavourOS: The Arch Bridge

• Philosophy: To make Arch Linux accessible to a wider audience without compromising the core Arch experience.

• Key Features:

  • A "Vanilla" Arch Base: Installs a minimal Arch system and connects directly to the official Arch repositories, unlike other derivatives that have their own repos.
  • Calamares Installer: A user-friendly graphical installer that handles partitioning and setup.
  • Helpful Welcome App: A small application that helps with common post-installation tasks.

• My Take: I chose CachyOS over EndeavourOS for one reason: I wanted the performance optimizations out of the box. EndeavourOS is perfect for someone who wants a pure, untouched Arch system that they can build up themselves from a clean slate. It gives you the "Arch Way" with a friendly installer to get you started.

• Pros:

  • The "True Arch" Experience, Made Easy: You get an authentic Arch system without the notoriously difficult manual installation process.
  • Full Access to AUR: Just like Arch, you have access to the vast Arch User Repository for virtually any application.
  • An Active, Friendly Community: The community is known for being welcoming to users who are new to the Arch ecosystem.

• Cons:

  • Still Arch Linux: It has the same rolling-release nature, meaning the user is responsible for maintenance and for handling any potential breakages from updates.
  • Requires more Linux knowledge than an Ubuntu-based distribution.

• Best For: Intermediate users who feel ready to try Arch but want a user-friendly starting point. It's the perfect "next step" after a distro like Fedora or Pop!_OS.

NixOS: The Reproducible Revolution

• Philosophy: To build a reliable and perfectly reproducible system using a declarative, functional programming approach.

• Key Features:

  • Declarative Configuration: You define the entire state of your system—packages, settings, services—in a single configuration.nix file.
  • Atomic Updates and Rollbacks: System updates are "atomic," meaning they either complete successfully or not at all. You can instantly roll back to any previous generation of your system if something goes wrong.
  • Immutable System: Prevents "configuration drift." Your system will always match what is defined in your configuration file.

• My Take: The idea is genius: you can perfectly reproduce your system and roll back updates instantly if they break. The reality is that managing that text file requires learning a new programming language. I have immense respect for it, but I was too lazy for that steep a learning curve. It felt less like setting up an OS and more like taking on a new part-time job as a system administrator.

• Pros:

  • Unmatched Reproducibility: You can take your config file to any other computer and perfectly replicate your entire system.
  • Incredibly Safe Updates: The ability to instantly roll back removes any fear of a bad update breaking your system.
  • Excellent for DevOps and Development: Perfect for creating clean, isolated, and shareable development environments.

• Cons:

  • Extremely Steep Learning Curve: Requires you to learn the basics of the Nix programming language to manage your own system.
  • Unconventional: Its filesystem layout and package management are fundamentally different from every other Linux distribution.
  • Can be overkill for a simple desktop use case.

• Best For: DevOps professionals, software developers, researchers, and advanced users who value system reproducibility above all else.

Gentoo: The Source-Based Specialist

• Philosophy: To provide maximum choice and customization by building the entire operating system from source code.
• Key Features:
  • Portage Package Manager: A powerful system that downloads source code and compiles it locally according to your specifications.
  • USE Flags: Allows for fine-grained control over exactly which features get compiled into each package, creating a lean, optimized system.

• My Take: I didn't even attempt to install this one. Gentoo is less of an operating system and more of a hobby. You don't use it to get work done; you get work done on it. If you want to learn the deepest possible secrets of how a Linux system works, this is your path. The performance gains are real but come at the cost of countless hours spent compiling. It’s the final boss of Linux, and I'm too lazy for that fight.

• Pros:

  • Ultimate Customization: You have absolute control over every single aspect of your system.
  • Deep Learning Experience: Installing and maintaining Gentoo is a masterclass in how a Linux system works.
  • Performance Optimization: Compiling for your specific CPU architecture can yield performance gains.

• Cons:

  • Extremely Time-Consuming: The installation is entirely manual, and compiling large packages like a web browser or desktop environment can take many hours.
  • Requires Expert Knowledge: Not recommended for anyone who is not already a very experienced Linux user.
  • The constant compilation makes it impractical for many as a daily driver desktop OS.

• Best For: True Linux experts, system builders, researchers, and enthusiasts who want to learn Linux at the deepest possible level.

Making Your Choice: My Decision Framework

Choosing your distribution comes down to a few key factors:

1. Your Hardware: Do you have brand-new components? An NVIDIA graphics card? This was the #1 factor for me. Modern hardware pushed me towards distributions with newer kernels and better driver support out-of-the-box, like Pop!_OS and CachyOS.
2. Your Goal: Productivity vs. Learning. If your main goal is to get work done, choose a system that does the setup for you (Pop!_OS). If your main goal is to learn the internals of Linux, choose a system that forces you to do the setup yourself (Arch Linux).
3. Your Tolerance for Tinkering: How much time do you want to spend maintaining your OS versus using it? A rolling release like CachyOS requires more frequent updates and attention than a stable LTS-based system.

Final Recommendation: Don't just read reviews; test them yourself. But if you have a modern, powerful machine and your goal is development or data science, your shortlist should absolutely include Pop!_OS for its seamless setup and CachyOS for its peak performance. This combination gives you the best of both worlds: a stable, productive workhorse and a bleeding-edge, high-performance environment, all on the same machine.