Overview

After testing multiple Linux distributions, I decided it was time to give Pop!_OS a proper trial run and see if it lived up to the hype. Up to this point, I had already worked with Ubuntu, Zorin OS Core, Zorin OS Education, and Linux Mint Cinnamon. The goal remained the same: continue testing each distro to understand what works well, what does not, and what actually fits a practical daily-use system.

Next up was Pop!_OS.

Why Pop!_OS?

I chose to test Pop!_OS for a few specific reasons. It offers a Snap-free base, built-in Flatpak support, and its own COSMIC desktop environment. The COSMIC desktop feels modern, clean, and minimal compared to Linux Mint Cinnamon or Ubuntu. From a design perspective, it stands out immediately.However, one thing I noticed early on was higher resource usage. Compared to the other distros I tested, this system used the most CPU and memory at idle.

Creating Bootable Drive Note
Initially, I attempted to create the Pop!_OS bootable USB using Rufus. During installation, I ran into repeated issues. After some research, I found that other users experienced similar problems and recommended switching tools. I then used balenaEtcher, which resolved the issue. The installation process worked without problems after that.

Wireless Connection Note
During setup, I ran into another issue with the wireless network connection. The system was able to detect the wireless NIC, but I could not see or connect to any available networks. After spending time troubleshooting, I confirmed the hardware was recognized but not functioning properly.

To resolve the issue, I powered down the device and fully disassembled the network components. This included removing the main battery, CMOS battery, wireless antennas, and the wireless NIC itself. After reassembling everything and powering the system back on, the wireless connection became available and worked as expected.This fix worked, but it required significant effort and troubleshooting time.

Install & Setup

• Downloaded the Pop!_OS ISO and created a bootable USB using balenaEtcher on Windows.

• Disabled Secure Boot in the BIOS on the Lenovo 300e.

• Installed Pop!_OS with a full clean install, erasing the disk.

• Performed post-install system updates using standard package update and upgrade commands.

Applications & Tools

• Installed the following applications:

• SimpleScreenRecorder for screen and audio recording.

• Okular for PDF viewing, annotation, and highlighting.

• PDF Arranger for organizing and modifying PDF files.

• Brave as a web browser.

• RustDesk for remote desktop access.

• VLC Media Player for video and audio playback.

Networking Tools Installed

Installed a set of networking tools to expand system capabilities:

• net-tools for legacy commands like ifconfig and netstat.

• iproute2 as the modern replacement using ip and ss.

• traceroute to view network paths and hops.

• arp-scan to identify devices on the local network.

• nmap for port scanning and network visibility.

• iperf3 for testing bandwidth between systems.

• bmon for real-time network traffic monitoring.

This setup positioned the system as a potential networking and testing device.

Desktop & Panel Customization

The COSMIC desktop environment is clean, modern, and minimal. However, customization was not as straightforward as Linux Mint. Creating desktop launchers required manually creating .desktop files, similar to Ubuntu and Zorin OS.

Panel customization included adding:

• Application Launcher
  Terminal
  System Monitor
  Disk Usage Analyzer
  GUFW (graphical firewall manager)
  Pop Shop

Pop Shop itself was responsive and integrates Flatpak by default. However, I experienced multiple issues where the application would close unexpectedly during or after installing software.

Reflection

• Performance was noticeably heavier compared to other distributions tested. CPU usage remained around 10 to 15 percent at idle. Memory usage averaged around 2.1 GB at idle, making it the highest among all tested systems.

• Hardware compatibility was mostly solid out-of-the-box. However, the wireless networking issue required extended troubleshooting and hardware intervention.

Final Outcome

After testing Zorin OS, Linux Mint, Ubuntu, and Pop!_OS, this distribution ranked near the bottom of my list.

While Pop!_OS offers a sleek and modern interface, the issues encountered during setup and usage impacted the overall experience. Problems with creating bootable media using Rufus, wireless connectivity challenges, and instability within the Pop Shop all added friction.

From a usability standpoint, I do not believe this would be the best option for a new user. The additional hurdles during setup and the lack of simple customization, such as easily creating desktop launchers, make it less approachable compared to other distributions tested.

Overall, while Pop!_OS has strong design and modern appeal, it did not align well with my expectations for a smooth and practical daily-use system.