Linux Hardware

Hi

I've bought a Dell g15 5511 i5-11400H 3050ti with Ubuntu 20.04 years ago because it was an offer too good to miss.

I'd like it to run a different linux distro without the Snap packages, that Ubuntu seem so keen on, and use a package manager with which I just feel more comfortable.

I know I could remove Snap from ubuntu which came preinstalled from Dell but I'd like to try something else on it, perhaps Linux mint or an Arch derivative.

I'm asking for suggestions as to what might be suitable.

I don't have a problem with booting up on a live ISO to try distros out but I wondered, how would I enable and continue to update the Dell firmware updates?

Is it as simple as just enabling the Dell repositories as I have done for the Ubuntu 22.04 update? Are the Dell firmware updates Ubuntu specific is my question?

It's a desktop laptop permanently connected as battery life under load is a bit low :-)

I use this for light gaming and not much else, usually play older games and RPG's like Original Sin. The 3050Ti has 4Gb memory so its never going to fly the latest AAA games.

I would want to be able to install the NVidia drivers for the 3050Ti GPU and be able to switch between the iGPU and the NVidia GPU.

My other installations run OMV, Manjaro KDE, Linux mint MATE LTS and Raspberry Pi OS. I'd say I've got some general knowledge with Linux, nothing in-depth.

Going forward I might use it to run a Jellyfin server container which is currently sitting on an aging HP laptop because the Dell's CPU and tGPU look more capable of handling Transcoding and give higher FPS.

Thank you for your insights.