Frequent updates and bleeding edge software through nixos-unstable and nixpkgs-unstable channels
The ability to try any desktop environment you like by editing one or two lines in your config
A very supportive and active community
Additionally, if you like to reinstall frequently, NixOS negates the need for maintaining an installing/config script since the singular configuration.nix file that you edit to customize your system will rebuild the exact same system on another computer. For example, I copied my configuration.nix on my PC to my laptop and now they are exactly the same, packages and all.
NixOS may seem a little daunting at first, since it has often been referred to as an "expert" distro with a steep learning curve. Don't let this fool you though--despite NixOS' unique advanced capabilities--it is actually quite straightforward and simple to use as a desktop machine. Speaking from personal experience as a perpetual linux noob, it's really not difficult and the benefits and stability of it far outweigh any small hiccups you might encounter initially.
NixOS sounds perfect for your use case.
Of your key features it has:
Additionally, if you like to reinstall frequently, NixOS negates the need for maintaining an installing/config script since the singular configuration.nix file that you edit to customize your system will rebuild the exact same system on another computer. For example, I copied my configuration.nix on my PC to my laptop and now they are exactly the same, packages and all.
NixOS may seem a little daunting at first, since it has often been referred to as an "expert" distro with a steep learning curve. Don't let this fool you though--despite NixOS' unique advanced capabilities--it is actually quite straightforward and simple to use as a desktop machine. Speaking from personal experience as a perpetual linux noob, it's really not difficult and the benefits and stability of it far outweigh any small hiccups you might encounter initially.