Hello guys!

First of all I'd like to introduce myself!
My name is Vinny and I'm 'new' into the Linux world. I say 'new' between quotes because I tried to use a few distros years ago, but unfortunately it didn't go well (at least I touched some distros and knew how to dualboot, install them, etc) The problems were drivers and incompatibility.
Some days ago I decided to give Linux a chance again, since my Windows was driving me nuts when it comes to performance and security and I love the feeling of freedom and opensource. I don't know much about Linux, such as commands and/or how the system actually works, I only know some differences, like when a distro is based on Ubuntu, Slackware, etc or something about graphic interfaces (at least what I like and what I don't). I do prefer clean interfaces.
Well, let's get to the point:
I have an Inspiron Core i5/8gb laptop (Click here to see full specs) which has switchable graphic cards and I want to dualboot Linux/Windows on it. (Yes, I need Windows because of SolidWorks and I don't want to use virtual emulation due to performance loss). By researching on the internet for weeks, reading reviews, watching 'hands on' videos, I decided that I want either Mint Linux or Elementary OS. I do know the difference between both and the lack of apps of Elementary, but it really cought my attention. Well, I downloaded both and booted via USB stick. Elementary worked out of the box, no issues with sound, wifi, video (at least I didn't try to switch). When I tried Mint Linux, everything worked fine in the first minutes, then the system crashed. I tried again, crashed. Mint was crashing and lagging a lot (small freezes, glitches) every time. Also, I noticed the cooler was going nuts, super loud and the laptop was getting warmer and warmer (I was only browsing in the internet and testing system apps). I googled and I found people same problems with this laptop using Mint and Ubuntu.

Well, as I didn't install any Linux yet, I'd like to ask two questions:

1 - Which one is the best distro for this laptop? Also, which distro would be better for me? (consider me a newbie who doesn't know how to do anything on Linux, despite my IT background and years with Windows);

2 - As I don't want to play or use anything demanding on Linux, such as 3D modelling or gaming, should I 'risk' my laptop by trying to use my offboard GPU? Shouldn't I just let the system running on the Intel onboard one?

Thanks in advance and sorry for any grammar mistake. I'm still learning English!

Regards.

Probably windows. Have you thought of running a Persistent USB? Leaving your install on internal drive untouched?

Just in case you did not know about running Linux like that. It will be good practice for you also.
It was for me.

Because at that time. I did not have a internal hard drive yet.