Can MainstreamOS finally make Linux a household name? I tried it to find out

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Every time I test an Arch-based distribution, I think, "When will Arch be my go-to?" Likewise, when I test the Hyprland tiling window manager/compositor, I think, "When will Hyprland be my go-to?"

And then I run into a Linux distribution that not only combines the two, but does so in a way that leaves me wide-eyed in amazement, thinking, "Why hasn't someone done this before?"

Also: 10 Linux apps I install on every new machine (and why you should, too)

That was my immediate reaction to MainstreamOS , a Linux distribution that is as polished as any I've ever beheld. The MainstreamOS site says it's "one open system that feels right whether it's your first Linux or your tenth. Nothing here needs a terminal, and nothing can't be undone. Make yourself at home."

That statement is about as true as they come. This OS feels right; it's got everything you need to make working with Linux a breeze, all the while making it look good and feel efficient. It's the best of all possible worlds, making both Arch Linux and Hyprland easy enough for anyone to use and experience what a truly efficient and powerful desktop operating system can be.

When you first install and log in to MainstreamOS, you are greeted by a setup tool that lets you configure Mainstream for whatever purpose you need, such as gaming, video editing, or content creation. And yes, you can add apps to this later via the handy GUI (GNOME Software).

You can select from various collections of preinstalled software.

Next, you are treated to a Hyprland GUI configuration tool that not only makes customizing the desktop easy, but also shows you how powerful the UI is.

The fact that MainstreamOS makes Hyprland beautiful and accessible is the biggest "wow" factor for me. What the developer has done is customize Hyprland so it looks and feels very much like MacOS. And unlike many Hyprland configurations, you get to use your mouse! (IYKYK)

MainstreamOS makes Hyprland look so good.

There's a left sidebar that can be customized in Settings > Interface > Left Sidebar. Currently, the left sidebar is limited to AI, which should come as no surprise. Although it states it can be used with local models, I was unable to set it up successfully. You can use the AI sidebar with Gemini, Claude, Codex, and Mistral. I'll dig into this at a later date to see if I can get it to function with the likes of Ollama .