Just wondering as ive been told many os’s online and then told to not use certain one aswell, i feel confused on what linux os to try someday. i come from windows 10 and i always find i need windows on atleast 1 device, and put linux on the “outdated” devices, but i keep hoping around, i cant seem to make up my mind.

  • eco_game@discuss.tchncs.de
    5·
    7 hours ago

    To friends I usually recommend the distro I run myself, as I’m most familiar with it and troubleshoot it the best.

    If it’s someone who won’t get constant tech support from me, I’d probably go with Mint.

    As a power user Ubuntu sucks, but if you’ve never used Linux before it could also be a good starter distro. The vast amount of tutorials online are made for Ubuntu.

  • dt3@lemmy.zip
    21·
    7 hours ago

    On older PCs use Linux mint but I don’t recommend it on newer PCs I have saw a lot of problems with them

  • myszka@lemmy.ml
    21·
    15 hours ago

    Linux Mint. It was specifically created for this use case. It just works. That’s it.

    • Diplomjodler@lemmy.world
      5·
      9 hours ago

      And it’s still great once you know what you’re doing. If you just want your computer to work, Mint is a fantastic option.

  • FoxAlive@lemmy.zip
    2·
    9 hours ago

    Debian based systems for systems you need more stable. Generally not a big concern for me unless you are setting up servers or really depend on specific software.

    I wouldn’t recommended Ubuntu, I would recommend something like mint if you’re going that route. But Ubuntu is a safe feeling first choice and i get why people chose it. If you google a problem and just add the word Ubuntu generally speaking the google result or even googles ai summary has got you covered pretty good.

    If you are more into gaming I would suggest something like bazzite, cachyos. Often they handle drivers for you super easily and comes with things like game scope too. Often you want more bleeding edge operating systems for gaming/newer hardware as updates seem to happen more frequently and with more noticeable improvements in the past 5 years.

    If you just need a basic computer the choice doesn’t really matter all that much its just kind of what looks good to you. You said its just for older computers so something like mint would be a fine choice in this scenario.

    Generally speaking you are either picking a arch based system or a Debian based system. And all the distros are kind of the same, they just give you preinstalled software, technically you can pick any and get the features you wanted yourself.

    Hopefully I didn’t confuse you more or give you too much decision paralysis.

  • SwooshBakery624 [they/them]@programming.devEnglish
    51·
    13 hours ago

    Anything but Ubuntu, honestly. I have a few friends who chose Ubuntu as their first distro and after using it for a couple of weeks went back to Windows. Some of them still refuse to give Linux a second chance.

    • Joelk111@lemmy.world
      1·
      9 hours ago

      I’m really curious why though. Was it raw Ubuntu with the default Gnome based DE or Kubuntu? I started with Manjaro and went back to windows a while back. Now I’m on Kubuntu and loving it. I think the main difference is that there’s so much more support and whatnot with Ubuntu.

  • Simon_Shitewood@lemmy.ml
    3·
    14 hours ago

    There are 3 answers and only 3 answers:

    • New and casual users: Mint.
    • Gamers: Bazzite.
    • Power users: just try a bunch and see which one(s) you like, you people are exactly why there’s are so many distros.
    • lazycat@lemmy.mlEnglish
      3·
      13 hours ago

      I know people that have been using Windows for like 10 years and still don’t know how to navigate directories. I think that people using Arch-based distros need to be a little tech savvy to be comfortable.