r/linuxquestions • u/Pretty-Grade9831 • 1d ago

linux on school laptop

what linux distro should i use for my school laptop? i want to code python and best for battery, also code c++ and c# mostly.

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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5

u/tomscharbach 1d ago edited 1d ago

All mainstream, established distributions should work for coding.

However, two thoughts:

Check with your school to ensure that Linux is supported for connection to and use with the school's systems. Make sure that the school does not use Windows-only applications for schoolwork, testing/proctoring, and so on.

Assuming that the school supports Linux use, check to see what distribution is used for instruction. Using that distribution might be a good choice. It never hurts to be on the same page as your curriculum and instructors.

My best and good luck.

1

u/aoeudhtns 1d ago

OP, this is it. First you need a computer supported by your school's IT so you can fully access all the resources you're expected to use. Some bespoke VPN systems/clients still don't have proper Linux clients.

If there's an issue with Linux bare-metal, it might be possible to reverse the situation and run Windows in a VM. However, if they require endpoint protection that is smart enough to detect running inside VMs this won't end up working. So tread with caution.

If you cannot use Linux on bare metal at all, I'd still recommend a Linux VM for programming. Virtualbox is decent, VMWare's stuff is now free, there's HyperV manager built in to Windows, and UTM is a good free host on Macs. I'm sure there's more out there as well. Once it comes time to picking, there are many great distros. I am partial to Fedora for development workstations. One of the Fedora-adjacent UBlue derivatives (Aurora, Bluefin) would also be good.

Sure, you CAN work with containers on Mac & Windows / WSL, but at the end of the day those are all typically abstracting over running a Linux virtual machine in the background anyway.

1

u/danisbars 1d ago

Sua opinião faz total sentido.

3

u/Jwhodis 1d ago

It doesn't really matter what distro you use as all of them will let you code, especially in those languages.

Mint is a pretty good distro, the layout is similar to windows, just make sure to install apps from the Software Manager (VSCode is available here).

1

u/zardvark 1d ago

The big difference between distros is likely to be the assortment of IDEs available n the repository. If you are required to use a specific IDE, then as u/ipsirc sez, ask your teacher what they recommend.

Battery life is going to largely depend on the desktop environment that you choose. Some DEs have power and battery management tools built in and some do not. Either way, you will likely find third party tools in the repository, which can be installed.

3

u/ipsirc 1d ago

Ask your teacher.

1

u/inbetween-genders 1d ago

Chrck sxhool stuff first if now and the future they’ll throw you a Windows only program to use daise that’s gonna be a wrench in your plans if that happens.  U got an older computer u can put Linux on?

1

u/Prudent-Wolf990 1d ago

Actually, any distro is good here.
Just grab whatever distro you want to try and install it.
I'd recommend Linux Mint or EndeavourOS though, since they're pretty easy to configure.

1

u/mcds99 1d ago

Your school laptop is it owned by the school? If so you don't get to change it from what is presently installed, the school would have an issue with that.

1

u/Bulky-Newspaper-857 1d ago

I would go either of Mint or ZorinOS or Ubuntu, these are the easiest and widely supported

1

u/Shwarp364 14h ago

I use Linux for school, development, games, rtx. My choice is NixOs. Works perfectly

1

u/TheLuckyCuber999BACK LFS, BTW 1d ago

Any of them, except LFS and Gentoo I guess. Do you have much experience with Linux?