Why I Keep Returning to Pop!_OS

I've cycled through Arch, Kali, Fedora, Ubuntu, macOS, Windows 10/11, and niche distros like Void and Elementary. Every few months I test something new, looking for the setup that handles my workflow better. Every time, I end up back on Pop!_OS.

Not because it's perfect. Because it doesn't waste my time.

What Security Research Actually Requires

My desktop environment needs to:

• Not break when I install unstable packages — Ubuntu base means tooling compatibility without PPA dependency hell
• Handle GPU-accelerated work — Hybrid graphics switching without driver conflicts or Nouveau blacklisting
• Boot encrypted by default — Client data and research tools live here
• Recover fast from compromise or corruption — Clean reinstall in 15 minutes, encrypted, with drivers working

Pop delivers on all of these without configuration overhead. I spend time breaking systems that matter instead of fixing my own desktop environment.

Why I Keep Coming Back

Arch taught me minimalism but broke on kernel updates when I needed stability for client work.

Kali ships with tools I use but feels bloated for daily driving and breaks suspend on laptops.

Fedora had clean GNOME but NVIDIA drivers required constant babysitting and third-party repos.

Ubuntu works but comes with snap packages, Amazon ads in older versions, and decisions I have to undo.

Pop!_OS gives me Ubuntu's compatibility without Ubuntu's baggage. System76 stripped out the cruft and added features that actually solve problems: hybrid GPU switching that works, tiling without configuration files, encryption during install instead of post-install scripts.

When I'm three distros deep trying to get something "just right" and wasting hours on display manager configs, I remember why Pop exists. It handles the 90% of system setup that shouldn't require my attention so I can focus on the 10% that does.

Real-World Advantages

1. Installation Speed and Encryption

Pop!_OS has the most streamlined installer I've used:

• Drive selection is straightforward
• Full-disk encryption (LUKS) via checkbox during install
• Minimal configuration decisions
• Installs in roughly 10 minutes on SSDs

Compare that to Windows setup taking 20+ minutes, or a manual Arch install consuming your evening, or Kali requiring post-install GRUB fixes. Pop requires zero post-installation debugging time.

Most distros require manual terminal setup to encrypt a system securely. With Pop, you check a box and enter a passphrase. Done.

2. Hybrid GPU Support That Actually Works

Hybrid GPU handling breaks on most Linux distributions, especially laptops.

• The NVIDIA ISO includes proper proprietary drivers
• system76-power CLI/GUI lets you switch between integrated/hybrid/dedicated
• No need to blacklist Nouveau or manually install drivers
• No display manager crashes after kernel updates

For security work, this matters when you need GPU acceleration for hash cracking or vulnerability scanning tools, but also need battery life when working mobile.

3. Tiling Windows Without i3 Configuration

Pop!_OS ships with COSMIC desktop and built-in tiling window management.

• Auto-tiling with keyboard shortcuts
• Sticky Windows feature pins terminals or monitoring tools across all workspaces
• No configuration files or manual tiling setup

This reduces Alt-Tab dependency. When running multiple reconnaissance tools, exploitation frameworks, and monitoring processes simultaneously, you can see what matters without window clutter.

4. Security Tooling Compatibility

Pop's Ubuntu base means:

• Most penetration testing tools install without dependency conflicts
• Aircrack-ng, Metasploit, Burp Suite, Wireshark work out of the box
• Python package management doesn't require virtual environment gymnastics for common security libraries
• Kernel versions are stable enough that wireless adapter drivers don't break monthly

Kali is purpose-built for security work, but Pop gives you a stable daily driver that handles security tooling when needed without the bloat of pre-installed tools you'll never use.

5. Clean First Boot

On first boot:

• Terminal is accessible immediately
• No ads, no trial software, no telemetry prompts
• Flatpak support available with one command
• Development utilities are one apt command away

Installation Guide (Security-Focused)

1. Download Pop!_OS ISO

Go to: https://pop.system76.com/

• Choose Intel/AMD or NVIDIA based on your GPU
• Save the .iso locally

2. Flash ISO to USB

Use balenaEtcher: https://www.balena.io/etcher/

Or use CLI:

sudo dd if=pop-os_*.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress && sync

Replace /dev/sdX with your actual USB device. Verify with lsblk before running.

3. Boot Into USB

1. Insert USB, reboot system
2. Access boot menu (F12, F2, ESC, or DEL depending on manufacturer)
3. Select your USB as boot device

BIOS settings to verify:

• Disable Secure Boot (recommended for Linux compatibility)
• Switch from RAID to AHCI if Windows dual-boot isn't required
• Enable USB boot support

4. Install Pop!_OS (Security Considerations)

1. Select "Clean Install"
2. Choose target drive
3. Enable Full Disk Encryption (non-negotiable for research work)
4. Set encryption password, user credentials, hostname
5. Begin install

Encryption notes:

• Use a strong passphrase, not a short PIN
• Standard install uses LUKS encryption for the entire drive
• If you need separate encrypted partitions for /home or data, choose custom partitioning

Pop will automatically partition the drive, configure LUKS, and install drivers.

5. Post-Install Configuration

After reboot and login:

# Update system
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y

# Install essential tools
sudo apt install git curl vim htop neofetch flatpak build-essential -y

# Enable Flatpak support
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

# Configure hybrid GPU mode (if applicable)
sudo apt install system76-power -y
sudo system76-power graphics hybrid

Reboot to apply GPU configuration.

Security tooling baseline:

sudo apt install wireshark nmap python3-pip python3-venv -y

One Real Limitation

Specialized wireless adapters for packet injection sometimes need manual driver setup. Alfa and Realtek chipsets may require DKMS modules. This isn't unique to Pop—it affects most Ubuntu-based distros—but it's worth knowing if your work depends on specific hardware.

If you're using adapters for monitor mode or packet injection, verify driver support before committing to Pop as your primary system.

Final Assessment

Pop!_OS gets out of your way. No driver rabbit holes. No display manager crashes after kernel updates. No wasted hours debugging Xorg configurations or GRUB entries. It's boring in the best possible way—which means I can focus on breaking things that actually matter.

You get encryption, hybrid GPU support, tiling window management, and security tooling compatibility without configuration overhead. Less time fixing your operating system means more time building tools, researching vulnerabilities, and executing operations.

If you need a stable daily driver that handles offensive security work when required but doesn't demand constant maintenance, Pop!_OS is worth testing.

I keep coming back because it's the only distro that stays out of my way long enough to forget it's there.

Comments

[Narnaiezzsshaa Truong]

@gnomeman4201, totally in agreement with you!

Pop!_OS as my host + Kali tools OR Kali VM
It aligns with my philosophy:
operational clarity, low friction, and systems that don’t steal cognitive bandwidth.

Pop!_OS gives me the stability I'm missing on Ubuntu.
Kali (tools or VM) gives me the offensive capabilities without contaminating my base system.