 Visitor Reviews |
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Reader supplied reviews for PikaOS Linux
Average rating
9.0 from 27 review(s)
Version: 25.11.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-19
Votes: 5
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I recently switched from LMDE to PikoOS and I'm absolutely thrilled with this system. The Gnome desktop took some getting used to, but with the Mac layout and Dash-to-Dock, it's perfect. Piko bridges the gap between the stability of Debian and the flexibility of Ubuntu, without relying on Ubuntu software. I used Debian with XFCE and later Cinnamon for over 10 years, and then LMDE for 3 years, and I always felt like I had to compromise... stability, convenience, up-to-dateness, ease of use, or simply style. Every system has its pros and cons, but Pika OS strikes a brilliant balance!
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Version: 25.11.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-04
Votes: 9
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Been using PikaOS since a couple weeks before the version 4 release and it cured my distro hopping. I'm happy to be using this distro that gets me smooth gaming, the comfort of .deb packages and an amazing community in the discord server.
The distro always provides the newest kernel and drivers, often times even faster than Arch. The distro is not only a Gaming distro, but aims to bring a great modern computing platform for everyone that wants to squeeze all the rest of performance out of their system, while also having a stable experience with a Debian base.
This doesn't mean that all packages are coming from Debian sid. The devs cherry pick every package either from Debian or from their own repo where they build all packages with performance improvements. Package requests seem to be handled really fairly.
While you can run flatpaks on this distro, they kinda defeat the purpose and should only be used in an emergency if no other source was available - especially because the distro comes with great GUI programs for updating, installing drivers, and soon also a GUI store for system packages (there's already a package search web app).
Overall this is my favourite distro and it's growing fast with really solid support by the devs. Speaking of, thanks ot the devs for answering my questions always extremely quickly and thoroughly and to everyone else on the discord server, y'all are really cool.
Here's to adding many more years to the already ongoing 3 years of PikaOS!
(PS. send love to Cosmo's birb Pika!)
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Version: 25.10.15
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-23
Votes: 1
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Absolutely fantastic.
Pika OS, which is based on Debian Sid with a customized kernel, has been working smoothly. It is lightning fast, has the full repository of Debian behind it, and hasn't crashed once since I started using it. All of my games run as smooth as butter, and I certainly enjoy the little Pika logos, wallpapers, themes, and sounds that come with the distro.
Clearly the developers wanted to fill the niche for those of us who love Debian, but want something up to date and customized for gaming. Pika OS is that distro.
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Version: 25.10.15
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-10-20
Votes: 0
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i switch from cachyos to pikaos just because cachyos update always break my os, i always will go for debian based cause it's for the stability. i use gnome version of pikaos and my god, even my laptop is quite new ryzen 7 7840u , this os will detect what hardware you have and there is an AMD Driver install option out of the box. i know it's a debian unstable version, but if you are damiliar with debian this is the way to go. the only thing i do not like is there is no autologin option in this OS.
i do hope this project stays for a long time and i know it's an niche os same as cachyos. but if you want stability without much tweaking when it's break, then this pikaos is a route to go.
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Version: 25.09.06
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-12
Votes: 10
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I have been using the Niri version of PikaOS for a while now. It's an incredible way to get into using a tiling WM. I also love the distro's blend of stable and new packages and the implementation of the custom pikman installer for custom compiled packages. Previously I had been a user of mint, kubuntu, kde neon, and fedora, and this is probably the kost stable and modern distro I have picked up. And in a world of gaming distros being solely based on arch and fedora, I like that debian is being given a shot through Pika. I Highly recommend giving it a shot!
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Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-08-28
Votes: 15
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I was totally new to Linux, coming from Windows 10 (and just Windows in general for over 3 decades). I wanted something that was suitable for a normie daily driver, but could also play games or emulation type of usage, with modern features, multi monitor etc. For months I bounced back and fourth from forum post to youtube videos, countless reddit posts. Somehow by the grace of God I stumbled upon PikaOS on my quest for the best.
I like that it is pretty much idiot proof for a new user like me. There is a GUI for mostly everything, or maybe a few simple terminal commands that might come in handy. I like that everything just simply works out of the gate. Controllers, codecs, media playback... it's just like you'd expect from a mainstream operating system. For some reason I feel oddly comfortable with this distro, I don't miss Windows at all. Also - their discord is one of the most friendly I have ever seen. People will help you almost immediately with your problems if it is possible. As a shy noob, I would like to see the website fleshed out a bit more with the wiki and what not. But I know it is a work in progress. Even some simple stuff like a beginner cheat sheet for commands :3
I hope this team stays with this project for a very long time, and I am very thankful for their work.
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Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-08-24
Votes: 1
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PikaOS is a fantastic linux distro focused on ease of use and ootb gaming performance. which it achieves splendidly.
with multiple highly useful GUI applications that make everything from kernel and scheduler management to driver management a breeze i cannot recommend it enough to new users. they use their own PikaOS kernel, which is a modified cachyos kernel with a couple extra patches thrown in. it's llightweight and fast. it offers a significant improvement over base debian in terms of gaming capability. and keeps up with other contemporary distros in terms of gaming performance. it is THE debian gaming distro and it is not to be ignored.
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Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-08-24
Votes: 2
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PikaOS is a great distro I'm running hyprland and its really enjoyable I'm new to linux so I had some learning to do but so far it is great for the exception of a scaling issue with some programs I'll need to figure out but all in all it is great the tilling is wonderful and the keybinds are a life changer. And the support team on discord are extremely responsive and helpful. I'll be running this distro for awhile because even being newish to Linux and new to hyprland it was easy enough to figure out.
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Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-08-22
Votes: 1
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The best Linux distro I've ever used - very polished. One-click installers for gaming tools like Steam, Heroic and others. Totally up-to-date kernel and MESA drivers. Updates apt & flatpak all in one tool. Stable, fast, and everything just works! :-)
Even non-gaming related activities like just opening Firefox or an office suite or using random programs - everything is sooooo quick! I love it! This is now my recommended distro for anyone who wants to start using Linux.
No issues with high-end hardware - running it on an AMD Ryzen 9900X with 64GB RAM and RX 7900 XTX. Been my daily driver since I tried it :-)
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Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 1
Date: 2025-08-17
Votes: 0
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Absolutely the most unprofessional attempt at making a Debian based distro. It boasts being optimized for gaming, but its no more optimized than Sid itself. The installation comes with a ton of bloat and there really are no reasons to use it over debian itself. Its kernel is not impressive, and it performs poorly on newer hardware. Dont waste your time. They claim their own package manager is better than apt because it is "slow". Well, theres is not faster. Download Debian and point apt to sid if you really want to go this route.
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Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 3
Date: 2025-07-29
Votes: 3
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The whole concept seems pretty interesting. I unfortunately couldn't get the live environment to boot despite trying quite a few different fixes. Never had a problem like this with any other live environments.
My inability to get the live environment working mains I cant say much about the distro. I tried multiple USB creation tools, verified the integrity of the ISO, and even tested it on different hardware, but the results were the same. It’s possible the issue is hardware-specific, but it’s still a concerning obstacle for first-time users. For a distribution that appears to be targeting ease of use and accessibility, this kind of boot failure can be a serious deterrent.
I was hoping to explore the desktop environment, bundled applications, and general performance firsthand, but the technical issues made that impossible. Based on what I’ve seen from others’ reviews and online discussions, it seems like the team is working actively on improvements. The concept of a lightweight, user-friendly Linux distribution based on Debian Sid is certainly appealing, and with the right refinements, PikaOS could carve out a niche for itself.
That said, I’d recommend waiting for future releases if you're considering trying it out. Once the boot issues and stability problems are addressed, I believe PikaOS could become a strong option in the Linux ecosystem. For now, it remains a work in progress with potential.
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Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-07-23
Votes: 7
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I've been thoroughly impressed with PikaOS Linux, especially considering this is its first version. As a long-time Linux Mint user, I was curious to explore something fresh, and PikaOS has exceeded my expectations. Built on the unstable branch of Debian, it strikes an excellent balance between cutting-edge features and remarkable stability.
One of the standout aspects of PikaOS is its seamless driver compatibility. I installed it on my Lenovo laptop, and every piece of hardware—graphics, Wi-Fi, sound, and even my touchpad—worked flawlessly out of the box. This level of plug-and-play functionality is a huge win, especially for a distribution based on Debian's unstable branch, which can sometimes be tricky with hardware support.
PikaOS feels neatly optimized, offering a semi-lightweight experience that doesn’t bog down system resources while still delivering a polished and modern interface. The performance is snappy, and the system feels responsive even on my mid-range laptop. The developers have clearly put thought into balancing performance with aesthetics, making it a great choice for users who want a sleek, efficient OS without sacrificing functionality.
Compared to Linux Mint, which I’ve used for years for its reliability and ease of use, PikaOS brings a refreshing change with its modern approach and streamlined design. It’s not as heavy as some feature-packed distros but still offers enough flexibility for both casual users and tinkerers. The installation process was smooth, and the default setup is intuitive, making it accessible for newcomers while still offering plenty of room for customization.
Overall, PikaOS is an exciting addition to the Linux ecosystem. For a first release, it’s impressively stable, well-optimized, and versatile. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to try a new Linux distribution that combines the latest software with dependable performance. I’m looking forward to seeing how PikaOS evolves in future updates!
PS: I have not used it for gaming yet! I am using it as my daily driver and been doing usually productivity task and multipedia stuff etc...
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Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-07-23
Votes: 2
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Runs great! i didn't think debian would be so good for a gaming computer. It really has all the tools and tweaks you need.
The community is very friendly! Everything is up to date the developers are very active.
If you don't use old hardware the distro here is for you.
My distrohopping is over.
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Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-07-15
Votes: 2
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PikaOS is probably the best experience i've ever had in a deb distro. The installation was flawless and very user friendly, the only small annoyance was that you need to check a box for msi mobos, but a simple question on the discord and i was answered in minutes by one of the main devs about it. They have "Pikman", a package manager that not only allows you to install with apt, but also allows to install even through AUR, creating a sandbox with apx that comes shipped with the distro. The performance was amazing, on par if not slightly better than CachyOS, and the packages you install with pikman are all optimized ootb, making it a smooth and fast experience, and they were all recompiled to be the latest and greatest version of those packages, including their own kernel with patches from CachyOS which is the latest possible version. I strongly recommend this distro to beginners with Linux gaming but also linux users who want a debian based os but are limited by their new hardware.
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Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-07-09
Votes: 5
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Worked flawlessly on my Nvidia rig, nothing bad to say here as all the games I tried perform well and sometimes even better than other Linux Distros, fixed some audio issues I had with my wireless headset and also was an extremely easy install process with NO terminal involved at all before, during or after.
A great alternative to what Nobara is but better (for starters, it's far from Fedora) so you get support for .debs too but is usually better to stick with the packages the distro offers.
Their community is extremely friendly and willing to help or just hang out and discuss stuff, so if you encounter any issue you can always head there!
10/10
-ThalinVT
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Version: 25.06.07
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-06-12
Votes: 10
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Hello PikaOS Community
PikaOS is a fantastic Linux distribution, it is seemingly stable whilst have cutting edge features.
This OS would get 10/10 if I could enable secure boot I install aha and use sbctl to enable secure boot and sign all my files, enable secure boot in the bios and yet secure boot will never work, its a damn shame because anyone who's wanting to have a windows 11 dual boot will find that they can't.
If this is rectified this will be a 10/10 distribution every Linux gamer should try this distribution, you get the stability and fortitude of Debian whilst having the gaming performance of Archlinux.
The update manager is slow to boot with the PC, its quicker to load into KDE and open up Pikman update manager yourself before the icon will show on your taskbar, a small gripe and doesn't hinder the user experience.
I would recommend this distribution to anyone who likes the performance Archlinux provides but is sick and tired of updates breaking your system.
Hope this review persuades people to explore PikaOS.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-06-01
Votes: 6
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I do a lot of distro hopping and up until I checked out pikaos I always came back to cachyos. But now I switched and it is very good. Everything is stable and very fast. The PikaOS discord has a friendly and competent community and overall I think PikaOS has a bright future.
I like the debian base they build upon and through the falcond deamon you don't have to add parameters to your steam games anymore for optimization. The service takes care of that for you in the background.
Overall I don't have much else to say, it iterated on what cachyos & Nobara did and added automation and brought it's own ideas to the mix. I don't see a single reason to switch.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 8
Date: 2025-05-31
Votes: 0
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There's a lot to like about this distro - Debian testing with a lot of nice tweaks for us gamers! I also do office-type work, so having Libreoffice and the ability to print not installed was just a bit odd, but it's easy enough to install them once you're finished with the initial install. I wasn't a fan of the wallpapers at first, but I'll admit they have grown on me just a little. Even the default layout of KDE's launcher was "a lot to take in" at first, but I also appreciate the usage of space. But again, this is easy to change if you're not a fan.
I don't think I'd use it as my daily driver, but it does have some good points to it.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-23
Votes: 8
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I was using Nobara on desktop and Cachy on laptop and would suggest Bazzite to less technical people who wanted to try Linux. Due to software development work, I needed a Debian distro with KDE. Pika was based on Ubuntu before and so I hadn't tried it but it rebased on Debian testing and now I like it a lot.
What you get is a fully ready rolling Debian release for gaming or anything else you need to do. The devs have reallty done an outstanding job prioviding what I like about other distros in my new favorite.
The only issue I seem to experience is having to repeatedly run dpkg configre in order for all the updates to complete. Other than that it's been smooth sailing. i think this project is on the right track now so will use it until they make a wrong turn which I hope never happens.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-20
Votes: 0
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I've really fallen for this distro. The Debian base makes it really familiar (my last distro was Bookworm) and interoperable with a lot of 3rd party software that provide .deb packages. Setup for gaming is already done for you, and it performs fantastically in that context. The discord is home to a very helpful community as well. The main devs are also very quick to address any issues that arise. And it has some custom tools, most notably the device manager and the package manager, that make managing things a little easier than vanilla Debian. It even treats flatpacks as first class packages, making most Linux software very easy to find.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-17
Votes: 2
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This is my daily driver distro.
I love PikaOS because it is a Debian based distro but also close to a rolling release.
The packages are being compiled by the devs with lots of optimizations and the base config is perfectly usable straight out of the box.
This also got me into Hyprland, which I thoroughly enjoy.
For my usecase (gaming) this distro delivers the best gaming experience I've had on linux. FPS are slightly higher than I got with my hardware on other distros and it's also incredibly smooth.
Having access to the latest packaging but also being sure that the new things are being tested before released to the public is awesome.
The discord is really active and I learned a lot from the devs and the community.
May the birb be with you!
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-05-17
Votes: 0
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PikaOS takes a good stable base and makes it better. Based on Debian, it takes the hard work out of setting it up and especially in getting Nvidia-drivers installed and working 1st time. For me it just worked. Gaming on Linux is fully featured with all the apps and utils you need to get the most out of your system.
It is easy for a first time user to install and get up and running quickly. With a stable OS the user can then go about simply using their computer.
This OS comes highly recommended.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-05-17
Votes: 0
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Upon installation, I immediately fell in love with this cozy distro. It's so well polished for gaming, everything works out of the box, installation is super easy... I've tried Garuda and it surprised me but had it's issues. PikaOS? First distro i've tried so far with no issues, even if I'm only using for 1 week. Might update my opinion, but I don't see anything bad coming. It's great for gamers and their community is cozy.
The implemented graphical GUI for sched_ext, kernel and pikman package manager-manager is so cool and convenient as well.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 5
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Having dedicated the past 135 days to exploring the PikaOS distribution, I can honestly say it has been an exceptionally positive experience. From the moment I started using it, I was impressed by its smooth performance. What truly stands out for me is its seamless integration with gaming. Every title I've thrown at it runs flawlessly, performing exactly as I'd hoped, if not better. It's clear that PikaOS is meticulously crafted with gamers in mind, optimizing the system for peak gaming performance. Despite being based on Debian, I always receive the very latest drivers, which is fantastic for keeping my gaming experience cutting-edge.
Beyond the excellent gaming experience, the community surrounding PikaOS is a significant asset. Knowing that if I ever encounter a problem, the dedicated members on their Discord server are readily available and willing to assist is incredibly reassuring. They are always responsive and take the time to guide you through any challenges you might face. This level of support truly enhances the overall user experience.
Hyprland the BEST!
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 0
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PikaOS is an absolute gem of a Linux distribution! It's sleek, lightning-fast, and incredibly user-friendly, making it perfect for both newcomers and seasoned Linux enthusiasts. The team behind PikaOS has clearly put a lot of thought into performance and aesthetics—everything just works out of the box. With a modern interface, smart defaults, and seamless hardware support, PikaOS delivers a smooth and enjoyable computing experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a polished and responsive Linux desktop!
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 1
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PikaOS offers a lot to Linux gamers.
From the excellent falcond service that provides optimizations and profile switching automatically upon game launch (say goodbye to always adding launch options), easy package management through the GUI Pikman or command line Pikman installer which allows for easy integration of packages from Arch, AUR, Fedora, or Alpine, and all built on a rock solid but up to date Debian base.
Why choose between stale but stable packages of a point release or a bunch of experimental but fresh packages of a rolling release when PikaOS gives you both stability and some of the newest software around?
Integrated snapper support on BTFS and a beautiful skin on the reFind bootloader makes dual booting easy and fun.
A well balanced and newbie friendly Hyprland configuration will make you feel right at home even if you never tried a tiling window manager before allowing you to tip your fedora as you announce, "I use Hyprland BTW".
Wither you are a Linux veteran or a newbie looking to escape from Microsoft/Apple prison, PikaOS should be on top of your list.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 4
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I am using PikaOS for a couple of weeks now, before I was using Cachy and Nobara. But somehow I had a couple of problems here and there. So I was looking for a more "stable" linux gaming oriented Distro and I found PikaOS.
The first install just went... smooth. After that install (which was like 1-2mins, holy crap thats fast :D) its easy for follow up - you will get greeted with PikaOS Welcome screen for the first steps into that Distro. Just very easy, userfriendly GUI to install gaming oriented stuff and changing some things like the drivers.
I just can highly recommend that Distro to any who's new to linux or even to experienced ones.
The Community and the Dev's are also very helpful and friendly!
10/10 - easy
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Latest Reviews
Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.11.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-19
Votes: 5
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I recently switched from LMDE to PikoOS and I'm absolutely thrilled with this system. The Gnome desktop took some getting used to, but with the Mac layout and Dash-to-Dock, it's perfect. Piko bridges the gap between the stability of Debian and the flexibility of Ubuntu, without relying on Ubuntu software. I used Debian with XFCE and later Cinnamon for over 10 years, and then LMDE for 3 years, and I always felt like I had to compromise... stability, convenience, up-to-dateness, ease of use, or simply style. Every system has its pros and cons, but Pika OS strikes a brilliant balance!
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.11.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-04
Votes: 9
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Been using PikaOS since a couple weeks before the version 4 release and it cured my distro hopping. I'm happy to be using this distro that gets me smooth gaming, the comfort of .deb packages and an amazing community in the discord server.
The distro always provides the newest kernel and drivers, often times even faster than Arch. The distro is not only a Gaming distro, but aims to bring a great modern computing platform for everyone that wants to squeeze all the rest of performance out of their system, while also having a stable experience with a Debian base.
This doesn't mean that all packages are coming from Debian sid. The devs cherry pick every package either from Debian or from their own repo where they build all packages with performance improvements. Package requests seem to be handled really fairly.
While you can run flatpaks on this distro, they kinda defeat the purpose and should only be used in an emergency if no other source was available - especially because the distro comes with great GUI programs for updating, installing drivers, and soon also a GUI store for system packages (there's already a package search web app).
Overall this is my favourite distro and it's growing fast with really solid support by the devs. Speaking of, thanks ot the devs for answering my questions always extremely quickly and thoroughly and to everyone else on the discord server, y'all are really cool.
Here's to adding many more years to the already ongoing 3 years of PikaOS!
(PS. send love to Cosmo's birb Pika!)
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.10.15
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-23
Votes: 1
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Absolutely fantastic.
Pika OS, which is based on Debian Sid with a customized kernel, has been working smoothly. It is lightning fast, has the full repository of Debian behind it, and hasn't crashed once since I started using it. All of my games run as smooth as butter, and I certainly enjoy the little Pika logos, wallpapers, themes, and sounds that come with the distro.
Clearly the developers wanted to fill the niche for those of us who love Debian, but want something up to date and customized for gaming. Pika OS is that distro.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.10.15
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-10-20
Votes: 0
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i switch from cachyos to pikaos just because cachyos update always break my os, i always will go for debian based cause it's for the stability. i use gnome version of pikaos and my god, even my laptop is quite new ryzen 7 7840u , this os will detect what hardware you have and there is an AMD Driver install option out of the box. i know it's a debian unstable version, but if you are damiliar with debian this is the way to go. the only thing i do not like is there is no autologin option in this OS.
i do hope this project stays for a long time and i know it's an niche os same as cachyos. but if you want stability without much tweaking when it's break, then this pikaos is a route to go.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.09.06
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-12
Votes: 10
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I have been using the Niri version of PikaOS for a while now. It's an incredible way to get into using a tiling WM. I also love the distro's blend of stable and new packages and the implementation of the custom pikman installer for custom compiled packages. Previously I had been a user of mint, kubuntu, kde neon, and fedora, and this is probably the kost stable and modern distro I have picked up. And in a world of gaming distros being solely based on arch and fedora, I like that debian is being given a shot through Pika. I Highly recommend giving it a shot!
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-08-28
Votes: 15
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I was totally new to Linux, coming from Windows 10 (and just Windows in general for over 3 decades). I wanted something that was suitable for a normie daily driver, but could also play games or emulation type of usage, with modern features, multi monitor etc. For months I bounced back and fourth from forum post to youtube videos, countless reddit posts. Somehow by the grace of God I stumbled upon PikaOS on my quest for the best.
I like that it is pretty much idiot proof for a new user like me. There is a GUI for mostly everything, or maybe a few simple terminal commands that might come in handy. I like that everything just simply works out of the gate. Controllers, codecs, media playback... it's just like you'd expect from a mainstream operating system. For some reason I feel oddly comfortable with this distro, I don't miss Windows at all. Also - their discord is one of the most friendly I have ever seen. People will help you almost immediately with your problems if it is possible. As a shy noob, I would like to see the website fleshed out a bit more with the wiki and what not. But I know it is a work in progress. Even some simple stuff like a beginner cheat sheet for commands :3
I hope this team stays with this project for a very long time, and I am very thankful for their work.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-08-24
Votes: 2
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PikaOS is a great distro I'm running hyprland and its really enjoyable I'm new to linux so I had some learning to do but so far it is great for the exception of a scaling issue with some programs I'll need to figure out but all in all it is great the tilling is wonderful and the keybinds are a life changer. And the support team on discord are extremely responsive and helpful. I'll be running this distro for awhile because even being newish to Linux and new to hyprland it was easy enough to figure out.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-08-24
Votes: 1
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PikaOS is a fantastic linux distro focused on ease of use and ootb gaming performance. which it achieves splendidly.
with multiple highly useful GUI applications that make everything from kernel and scheduler management to driver management a breeze i cannot recommend it enough to new users. they use their own PikaOS kernel, which is a modified cachyos kernel with a couple extra patches thrown in. it's llightweight and fast. it offers a significant improvement over base debian in terms of gaming capability. and keeps up with other contemporary distros in terms of gaming performance. it is THE debian gaming distro and it is not to be ignored.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-08-22
Votes: 1
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The best Linux distro I've ever used - very polished. One-click installers for gaming tools like Steam, Heroic and others. Totally up-to-date kernel and MESA drivers. Updates apt & flatpak all in one tool. Stable, fast, and everything just works! :-)
Even non-gaming related activities like just opening Firefox or an office suite or using random programs - everything is sooooo quick! I love it! This is now my recommended distro for anyone who wants to start using Linux.
No issues with high-end hardware - running it on an AMD Ryzen 9900X with 64GB RAM and RX 7900 XTX. Been my daily driver since I tried it :-)
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 1
Date: 2025-08-17
Votes: 0
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Absolutely the most unprofessional attempt at making a Debian based distro. It boasts being optimized for gaming, but its no more optimized than Sid itself. The installation comes with a ton of bloat and there really are no reasons to use it over debian itself. Its kernel is not impressive, and it performs poorly on newer hardware. Dont waste your time. They claim their own package manager is better than apt because it is "slow". Well, theres is not faster. Download Debian and point apt to sid if you really want to go this route.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 3
Date: 2025-07-29
Votes: 3
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The whole concept seems pretty interesting. I unfortunately couldn't get the live environment to boot despite trying quite a few different fixes. Never had a problem like this with any other live environments.
My inability to get the live environment working mains I cant say much about the distro. I tried multiple USB creation tools, verified the integrity of the ISO, and even tested it on different hardware, but the results were the same. It’s possible the issue is hardware-specific, but it’s still a concerning obstacle for first-time users. For a distribution that appears to be targeting ease of use and accessibility, this kind of boot failure can be a serious deterrent.
I was hoping to explore the desktop environment, bundled applications, and general performance firsthand, but the technical issues made that impossible. Based on what I’ve seen from others’ reviews and online discussions, it seems like the team is working actively on improvements. The concept of a lightweight, user-friendly Linux distribution based on Debian Sid is certainly appealing, and with the right refinements, PikaOS could carve out a niche for itself.
That said, I’d recommend waiting for future releases if you're considering trying it out. Once the boot issues and stability problems are addressed, I believe PikaOS could become a strong option in the Linux ecosystem. For now, it remains a work in progress with potential.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-07-23
Votes: 2
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Runs great! i didn't think debian would be so good for a gaming computer. It really has all the tools and tweaks you need.
The community is very friendly! Everything is up to date the developers are very active.
If you don't use old hardware the distro here is for you.
My distrohopping is over.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-07-23
Votes: 7
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I've been thoroughly impressed with PikaOS Linux, especially considering this is its first version. As a long-time Linux Mint user, I was curious to explore something fresh, and PikaOS has exceeded my expectations. Built on the unstable branch of Debian, it strikes an excellent balance between cutting-edge features and remarkable stability.
One of the standout aspects of PikaOS is its seamless driver compatibility. I installed it on my Lenovo laptop, and every piece of hardware—graphics, Wi-Fi, sound, and even my touchpad—worked flawlessly out of the box. This level of plug-and-play functionality is a huge win, especially for a distribution based on Debian's unstable branch, which can sometimes be tricky with hardware support.
PikaOS feels neatly optimized, offering a semi-lightweight experience that doesn’t bog down system resources while still delivering a polished and modern interface. The performance is snappy, and the system feels responsive even on my mid-range laptop. The developers have clearly put thought into balancing performance with aesthetics, making it a great choice for users who want a sleek, efficient OS without sacrificing functionality.
Compared to Linux Mint, which I’ve used for years for its reliability and ease of use, PikaOS brings a refreshing change with its modern approach and streamlined design. It’s not as heavy as some feature-packed distros but still offers enough flexibility for both casual users and tinkerers. The installation process was smooth, and the default setup is intuitive, making it accessible for newcomers while still offering plenty of room for customization.
Overall, PikaOS is an exciting addition to the Linux ecosystem. For a first release, it’s impressively stable, well-optimized, and versatile. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to try a new Linux distribution that combines the latest software with dependable performance. I’m looking forward to seeing how PikaOS evolves in future updates!
PS: I have not used it for gaming yet! I am using it as my daily driver and been doing usually productivity task and multipedia stuff etc...
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-07-15
Votes: 2
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PikaOS is probably the best experience i've ever had in a deb distro. The installation was flawless and very user friendly, the only small annoyance was that you need to check a box for msi mobos, but a simple question on the discord and i was answered in minutes by one of the main devs about it. They have "Pikman", a package manager that not only allows you to install with apt, but also allows to install even through AUR, creating a sandbox with apx that comes shipped with the distro. The performance was amazing, on par if not slightly better than CachyOS, and the packages you install with pikman are all optimized ootb, making it a smooth and fast experience, and they were all recompiled to be the latest and greatest version of those packages, including their own kernel with patches from CachyOS which is the latest possible version. I strongly recommend this distro to beginners with Linux gaming but also linux users who want a debian based os but are limited by their new hardware.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-07-09
Votes: 5
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Worked flawlessly on my Nvidia rig, nothing bad to say here as all the games I tried perform well and sometimes even better than other Linux Distros, fixed some audio issues I had with my wireless headset and also was an extremely easy install process with NO terminal involved at all before, during or after.
A great alternative to what Nobara is but better (for starters, it's far from Fedora) so you get support for .debs too but is usually better to stick with the packages the distro offers.
Their community is extremely friendly and willing to help or just hang out and discuss stuff, so if you encounter any issue you can always head there!
10/10
-ThalinVT
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.06.07
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-06-12
Votes: 10
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Hello PikaOS Community
PikaOS is a fantastic Linux distribution, it is seemingly stable whilst have cutting edge features.
This OS would get 10/10 if I could enable secure boot I install aha and use sbctl to enable secure boot and sign all my files, enable secure boot in the bios and yet secure boot will never work, its a damn shame because anyone who's wanting to have a windows 11 dual boot will find that they can't.
If this is rectified this will be a 10/10 distribution every Linux gamer should try this distribution, you get the stability and fortitude of Debian whilst having the gaming performance of Archlinux.
The update manager is slow to boot with the PC, its quicker to load into KDE and open up Pikman update manager yourself before the icon will show on your taskbar, a small gripe and doesn't hinder the user experience.
I would recommend this distribution to anyone who likes the performance Archlinux provides but is sick and tired of updates breaking your system.
Hope this review persuades people to explore PikaOS.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-06-01
Votes: 6
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I do a lot of distro hopping and up until I checked out pikaos I always came back to cachyos. But now I switched and it is very good. Everything is stable and very fast. The PikaOS discord has a friendly and competent community and overall I think PikaOS has a bright future.
I like the debian base they build upon and through the falcond deamon you don't have to add parameters to your steam games anymore for optimization. The service takes care of that for you in the background.
Overall I don't have much else to say, it iterated on what cachyos & Nobara did and added automation and brought it's own ideas to the mix. I don't see a single reason to switch.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 8
Date: 2025-05-31
Votes: 0
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There's a lot to like about this distro - Debian testing with a lot of nice tweaks for us gamers! I also do office-type work, so having Libreoffice and the ability to print not installed was just a bit odd, but it's easy enough to install them once you're finished with the initial install. I wasn't a fan of the wallpapers at first, but I'll admit they have grown on me just a little. Even the default layout of KDE's launcher was "a lot to take in" at first, but I also appreciate the usage of space. But again, this is easy to change if you're not a fan.
I don't think I'd use it as my daily driver, but it does have some good points to it.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-23
Votes: 8
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I was using Nobara on desktop and Cachy on laptop and would suggest Bazzite to less technical people who wanted to try Linux. Due to software development work, I needed a Debian distro with KDE. Pika was based on Ubuntu before and so I hadn't tried it but it rebased on Debian testing and now I like it a lot.
What you get is a fully ready rolling Debian release for gaming or anything else you need to do. The devs have reallty done an outstanding job prioviding what I like about other distros in my new favorite.
The only issue I seem to experience is having to repeatedly run dpkg configre in order for all the updates to complete. Other than that it's been smooth sailing. i think this project is on the right track now so will use it until they make a wrong turn which I hope never happens.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-20
Votes: 0
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I've really fallen for this distro. The Debian base makes it really familiar (my last distro was Bookworm) and interoperable with a lot of 3rd party software that provide .deb packages. Setup for gaming is already done for you, and it performs fantastically in that context. The discord is home to a very helpful community as well. The main devs are also very quick to address any issues that arise. And it has some custom tools, most notably the device manager and the package manager, that make managing things a little easier than vanilla Debian. It even treats flatpacks as first class packages, making most Linux software very easy to find.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-05-17
Votes: 0
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Upon installation, I immediately fell in love with this cozy distro. It's so well polished for gaming, everything works out of the box, installation is super easy... I've tried Garuda and it surprised me but had it's issues. PikaOS? First distro i've tried so far with no issues, even if I'm only using for 1 week. Might update my opinion, but I don't see anything bad coming. It's great for gamers and their community is cozy.
The implemented graphical GUI for sched_ext, kernel and pikman package manager-manager is so cool and convenient as well.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-05-17
Votes: 0
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PikaOS takes a good stable base and makes it better. Based on Debian, it takes the hard work out of setting it up and especially in getting Nvidia-drivers installed and working 1st time. For me it just worked. Gaming on Linux is fully featured with all the apps and utils you need to get the most out of your system.
It is easy for a first time user to install and get up and running quickly. With a stable OS the user can then go about simply using their computer.
This OS comes highly recommended.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-17
Votes: 2
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This is my daily driver distro.
I love PikaOS because it is a Debian based distro but also close to a rolling release.
The packages are being compiled by the devs with lots of optimizations and the base config is perfectly usable straight out of the box.
This also got me into Hyprland, which I thoroughly enjoy.
For my usecase (gaming) this distro delivers the best gaming experience I've had on linux. FPS are slightly higher than I got with my hardware on other distros and it's also incredibly smooth.
Having access to the latest packaging but also being sure that the new things are being tested before released to the public is awesome.
The discord is really active and I learned a lot from the devs and the community.
May the birb be with you!
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 4
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I am using PikaOS for a couple of weeks now, before I was using Cachy and Nobara. But somehow I had a couple of problems here and there. So I was looking for a more "stable" linux gaming oriented Distro and I found PikaOS.
The first install just went... smooth. After that install (which was like 1-2mins, holy crap thats fast :D) its easy for follow up - you will get greeted with PikaOS Welcome screen for the first steps into that Distro. Just very easy, userfriendly GUI to install gaming oriented stuff and changing some things like the drivers.
I just can highly recommend that Distro to any who's new to linux or even to experienced ones.
The Community and the Dev's are also very helpful and friendly!
10/10 - easy
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 1
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PikaOS offers a lot to Linux gamers.
From the excellent falcond service that provides optimizations and profile switching automatically upon game launch (say goodbye to always adding launch options), easy package management through the GUI Pikman or command line Pikman installer which allows for easy integration of packages from Arch, AUR, Fedora, or Alpine, and all built on a rock solid but up to date Debian base.
Why choose between stale but stable packages of a point release or a bunch of experimental but fresh packages of a rolling release when PikaOS gives you both stability and some of the newest software around?
Integrated snapper support on BTFS and a beautiful skin on the reFind bootloader makes dual booting easy and fun.
A well balanced and newbie friendly Hyprland configuration will make you feel right at home even if you never tried a tiling window manager before allowing you to tip your fedora as you announce, "I use Hyprland BTW".
Wither you are a Linux veteran or a newbie looking to escape from Microsoft/Apple prison, PikaOS should be on top of your list.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 0
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PikaOS is an absolute gem of a Linux distribution! It's sleek, lightning-fast, and incredibly user-friendly, making it perfect for both newcomers and seasoned Linux enthusiasts. The team behind PikaOS has clearly put a lot of thought into performance and aesthetics—everything just works out of the box. With a modern interface, smart defaults, and seamless hardware support, PikaOS delivers a smooth and enjoyable computing experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a polished and responsive Linux desktop!
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 5
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Having dedicated the past 135 days to exploring the PikaOS distribution, I can honestly say it has been an exceptionally positive experience. From the moment I started using it, I was impressed by its smooth performance. What truly stands out for me is its seamless integration with gaming. Every title I've thrown at it runs flawlessly, performing exactly as I'd hoped, if not better. It's clear that PikaOS is meticulously crafted with gamers in mind, optimizing the system for peak gaming performance. Despite being based on Debian, I always receive the very latest drivers, which is fantastic for keeping my gaming experience cutting-edge.
Beyond the excellent gaming experience, the community surrounding PikaOS is a significant asset. Knowing that if I ever encounter a problem, the dedicated members on their Discord server are readily available and willing to assist is incredibly reassuring. They are always responsive and take the time to guide you through any challenges you might face. This level of support truly enhances the overall user experience.
Hyprland the BEST!
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