NixOS
Your whole system is one config file. Reproducible and reversible, once you learn a new language.
Facts
- Family
- nix
- Based on
- independent
- Release model
- Release every six months, plus an unstable channel
- Current
- 26.05 Yarara
- Init system
- systemd
- Default desktop
- GNOME or Plasma
- NVIDIA
- The hardware.nvidia options in configuration.nix.
- Systemd-free
- No
- 32-bit support
- No
- As of
- 2026-10-09
How the chooser scores it
Scores run from 1 to 5, and 5 is best for the user. They are opinion with a spreadsheet.
- StabilityStability: 4 out of 5
- Easy installEasy install: 3 out of 5
- Daily comfortDaily comfort: 2 out of 5
- Docs and helpDocs and help: 2 out of 5
- Fresh softwareFresh software: 4 out of 5
- GamingGaming: 3 out of 5
- DevelopmentDevelopment: 5 out of 5
- Old hardwareOld hardware: 3 out of 5
- ControlControl: 5 out of 5
- LightnessLightness: 5 out of 5
- NVIDIA, recent cardsNVIDIA, recent cards: 3 out of 5
- NVIDIA, older cardsNVIDIA, older cards: 3 out of 5
Caveats
- The Nix language has a steep learning curve and the documentation is uneven.
- It ignores the usual filesystem layout, so some prebuilt binaries need help to run.
Community
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