So, not so long ago I have made a switch from Win 10 to Linux Mint on my older laptop. I like it, and I have decided to switch to Linux also on my main desktop (to be honest, I’ve realized I don’t actually do anything Windows-specific I can’t do on Linux). I am thinking of trying Debian. I know it’s not the best for total newbies, but I am willing to commit time to learn a thing or two to make it work to my needs (which are not many). I am just worried - would I be able to setup up my two monitors to work? From what I read, it’s not that easy, so that worries me a bit (although, it’s nothing which would stop me from the switch). Can anyone provide an opinion about it, please? Many thanks in advance.
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I don’t think that’s still true that debian is not ok for newbies. Hardware detection is automatic, and so should be dual screen as well. But get the non-free image! Unless you want to game with it, you’ll be good! Especially if you know your way around with apt. In the end, mint is a derivative of ubuntu, which is (well, was nowadays) a derivative of Debian. Have fun!
Massive thanks for your comment!!! Not much of a gamer (got Xbox for it), so mostly office/wordpress, social media and VLC
@Im_old @RubberAxeman Absolutely!
Debian is very easy to install and very stable.
Once I went to Debian, I found my “home”.
Go Debian stable, you will be well. Use the non-free repo too, if you have an nvidia card,
Concerning the screens, Its not that ez for gaming BC of differences in the screens refreshments or this kind of things, but you will have your screens working directly,
Gl & HF
Thanks for your input! No gaming in mind (at least, nothing massive), mostly just browsing, Libre office, wordpress and social media. Of course, VLC abd maybe a bit coding. I could go with a single monitor, but got a bit used to dual config.
Dont worry, u still can do gaming.
FYI steam, who is an actor major, for thé gaming on linux, use debian’s library for proton. U can play easy on single screen, the dualscreen can be tricky regarding your setup.
You can even go on testing, its stable enough of you have already notions of Linux.
And just use the official repo, for the rest compile or download the exe (like wine for lutris).Your dual screen should work without problem for what you desire first.
many thanks for your comment!!!
Pleasure, Enjoy debian dude :)
I think this is not a debian question, but a DE one.
Anyway, it depends on what you want to do with your monitors. If its just extending the workplace, then it couldnt be easier. Im using debian with kde since 2012, connecting N monitors is pretty straightforward. Plug, config, enjoy.
If you want to do something more advanced, like handling the monitors as separate workspaces, or opening certain apps on certain screens you may need to change the DE… in that case it’s pretty easy*, but you need a ton of time and probably a tilemanager-DE
So, the update. Yesterday I installed Linux Mint 21.2… I’ve spent about a good hour solving the problem with wifi, and I can report I found a solution. However, as my original plan was to install Debian (I have Mint 21.2 Cinammon on my laptop), well…long story short, I am in the middle of installing Debian right now. I expect a few issues, but it’s a challenge, so…let’s get ready to rumble!!! :) :)
I haven’t tried Debian for a long time, but I’ve tried a few different distros in the last few years. I’ve had no problems with either my new matching monitors, or my old mismatched pair, but they have had the same refresh rate.
My current pair are 2560 x 1440 at 75Hz, and the old pair was a 2560 x 1440 and a 1920 x 1080, both at 60Hz. I did some light gaming on both sets, but nothing modern.
If you’re not sure about your monitors, try a live disc to see how they work. It won’t change anything permanently unless you tell it to install. Ventoy is a great tool for this, as you can put as many distros as you can fit onto your portable drive, and select them at boot. Just download the ISO and copy it to the Ventoy drive :)
