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ZDNET’s main conclusions highlight the essence of the GLF OS project: this is a Linux distribution conceived specifically with gamers in mind. While its installation process proves to be more challenging than that of most mainstream operating systems, the final result justifies the investment of time and patience. Another significant advantage is that GLF OS is completely free to install and use, offering both accessibility and serious performance potential for those passionate about gaming or creative production.
When I first downloaded GLF OS, I believed I had a firm understanding of what awaited me. Everything about its branding and documentation suggested a system geared toward gaming enthusiasts. The official website describes it as “Gaming Linux FR, the first French-speaking Linux gaming community, dedicated to sharing knowledge, resources, and experiences for the ultimate gaming enjoyment.” Clearly, it transcends the mere definition of an operating system—it’s a comprehensive community designed to unite players under one banner. That synergy between software and social engagement carries a distinct appeal.
During installation, however, I stumbled upon a particularly surprising option: the ability to install DaVinci Resolve directly. This inclusion caught me off guard for two reasons. First, it was highly unusual for an operating system to integrate an optional installation for such a sophisticated, professional-grade video editor from the outset. Second, anyone who has ever attempted to set up DaVinci Resolve on Linux knows the difficulties involved—its installation can be finicky, and the program tends to favor systems equipped with Nvidia GPUs. Moreover, DaVinci officially recognizes only Rocky Linux versions 8 and 9 for support. Hence, seeing that integration proposed within the GLF OS installer felt nothing short of impressive.
Users are presented with several editions during setup, each designed for specific use cases. The Standard Edition provides a solid, gaming-ready workstation yet omits creative suites, leaving users free to select and install their preferred tools. The Minimal Edition, on the other hand, strips the environment to its bare essentials—Firefox and LibreOffice—built atop a fundamental NixOS configuration ideal for advanced customization. The Gaming Edition comes pre-loaded with Steam, Proton-GE, and numerous gaming launchers, enabling immediate gameplay. For creators, the Studio (Free) version includes a full arsenal of open-source applications—Kdenlive, GIMP, OBS Studio, and Audacity—to support a wide spectrum of artistic ventures. Finally, the Studio Pro version extends that lineup by incorporating the premium DaVinci Resolve Studio, albeit requiring a personal license key.
Intrigued by the combination of gaming and content creation, I chose to install the Studio Pro edition. The process, though, was far from straightforward. My initial attempt ended abruptly when GLF OS crashed and rebooted without clear explanation, compelling me to discard the virtual machine and begin anew. Determined to proceed, I tried again with the same configuration but encountered a stall at 46%—the installer appeared to download large volumes of data without progressing. Upon further inspection, I discovered that GLF OS, being based on NixOS, retrieves every necessary package during installation, sometimes resulting in failures if the process becomes overloaded—a known issue among users of NixOS and its derivatives.
Frustration aside, I switched from KVM with Virt-Manager to VirtualBox, suspecting virtualization issues. Increasing the allocated RAM from 10GB to 16GB and boosting the CPU cores proved futile. Success finally came when I opted for the Minimal Edition, which required fewer downloads and resources. This version installed smoothly, validating my theory. Later, installation on bare hardware confirmed that the GLF OS environment performs much more reliably outside virtualization. Installing it onto a dedicated system and selecting the DaVinci Studio configuration produced flawless results—DaVinci Resolve launched efficiently and functioned even better than on some machines with more robust specifications. The result underscored GLF OS’s optimization for both gaming and creative workflows.
Once installed, GLF OS lived up to its tagline—“Linux Gaming Made Easy.” Upon logging in, the Welcome app promptly highlighted its gaming focus. Because I had initially set up the Minimal Edition, many of the expected gaming applications were absent, and certain welcome-screen features, such as Samba sharing, did not apply to that lightweight configuration. Fortunately, those omissions were easily bridged thanks to the Easy Flatpak application—a remarkably intuitive software manager that simplifies installing new applications. By searching for “Gaming” within Easy Flatpak, users can queue multiple applications, add them to a virtual cart, and install them simultaneously. This convenience streamlines the user experience tremendously; if only other distributions adopted such a thoughtful system.
After a quick reboot, Steam launched without issue, confirming that the gaming environment was operational. From that point on, exploring titles and configuring gameplay environments proceeded seamlessly. GLF OS delivers a polished desktop experience, balancing performance-optimized gaming functions with professional creation capabilities.
Reflecting on the experience, I must emphasize that few Linux distributions present such complexities during installation—perhaps comparable only to Gentoo or Linux From Scratch. Yet, once past that obstacle, GLF OS demonstrates true excellence. Its responsiveness and stability distinguish it from many competitors, combining high performance with a sleek interface. I remain particularly satisfied, even with the lighter Mini variant, though I can only imagine the full potential unleashed in the DaVinci-integrated edition.
Ultimately, GLF OS caters precisely to two groups: gamers seeking a Linux-based platform finely tuned for play, and content creators desiring a versatile environment to produce and edit high-quality media. For those with a spare, capable machine, installing GLF OS natively is highly recommended—its demanding installation process quickly gives way to an experience that is, quite simply, a pleasure to use. Once operational, GLF OS represents a genuine blend of innovation, community spirit, and technical refinement, proving that persistence through a challenging setup can lead to an operating system truly worthy of admiration.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/glf-os-linux-distro-perfect-for-gamers-and-content-creators/
