Linux has long been a dependable operating system, but new versions utilize technologies that make your desktop even harder to break. Add in the ability to easily roll back to previous versions of software, and it’s easy to see why people are excited about “immutable” versions of Linux. Want to see for yourself what the hype is about? These are the best options available today.
1.Fedora Silverblue
Fedora Silverblue is one of the earliest immutable versions of traditional desktop Linux. But what does that mean? In short, Fedora Silverblue ships with the entire system provided as one giant component that you replace whenever you download a system update (one that is also read-only). This is an approach similar to that of Android, Chromebooks, and macOS. It stops a single corrupted system file from preventing your entire PC from booting.
There are many other benefits aside from dependability. For starters,Fedora Silverblue uses the Flatpak formatfor apps, which come with a degree of sandboxing to improve security. You can also switch between desktop environments or try out beta versions of Fedora without risking the stability of your system.
NixOS has been around for decades, but in many ways, it’s the new hotness. The project has attracted attention for building a workable Linux system atop the Nix package manager, which uses an approach to installing software that makes systems easier to set up and reproduce across many machines. How? You can configure an entire system by editing a single file. You can also easily roll back to previous versions of an app or your entire desktop.
NixOS has a heavy learning curve, but if you’re willing to put in the time, it may also come with the most reward.
3.Endless OS
Endless OS is an unconventional version of Linux. It’s intended neither for enterprise use nor as a desktop PC for computer enthusiasts. Rather, it’s an effort to bring computing to the masses of people learning how to use a PC for the first time, plus those living in parts of the world where reliable internet is not something that can be taken for granted.
In practice, this means Endless OS is an operating software that comes with much of the desktop software you might need already pre-installed. And that doesn’t simply mean an office suite and a handful of games. Here you can find a fully replicated offline version of Wikipedia, integrated into the kind of customized desktop encyclopedia app common in the 90s and early 2000s.
Valve’s desktop is a little different from the options above. That’s because you can’t install SteamOS on a PC you already own. Yet SteamOS remains perhaps the most accessible version of Linux. Why? Because it ships as part of every Steam Deck.
Yes, Valve’s handheld may serve primarily as a game console, but eachSteam Deck comes with a desktop mode powered by KDE Plasma. While SteamOS may not be a full-featured version of Linux, it’s pretty close.
5.Vanilla OS
Vanilla OS is the least mature option, and, sorry, it doesn’t yet actually qualify as rock-solid. There are bugs for those brave enough to be early adopters. But it’s the most established choice for those looking foran immutable, Ubuntu-based distro(though newer versions are based on Debian). That makes it an option worth considering for the many, many desktop Linux users who are most familiar with Ubuntu and Debian-based tools. Well, at least untilCanonical’s snap-only version of Ubuntucomes along.
Vanilla OS justifies attention in its own right. The desktop comes with Distrobox-like functionality, enabling you to install software packages intended for different Linux distributions onto a single machine.
Immutability Is the Future of Desktop Linux
Immutable distros with read-only system files come with their pros and cons. Many people prefer the freedom that comes with the older, traditional Linux desktop. But desktop PCs that are more difficult to break are better suited for mass market adoption, which is why the most consumer-oriented Linux devices, such as Chromebooks and the Steam Deck, come with immutable operating systems.
Linux desktops ranging from Ubuntu and Fedora to elementaryOS all intend to be immutable in the future, but for early adopters, the experience is available today.
