This is how you waste your time by watching this for hours per month, not anymore!Posted on 07/15/2022 7:12:57 AM PDT by ShadowAce
We give you the ten best Linux distro(s) for beginners, which can be the perfect starting point and help you to pick the best of the lot.
If you are manifesting joining the Linux clan and thinking about it, it’s time. It’s time to ditch Windows for good and save some money by doing so. Also, keep your sanity from monthly Windows updates that are gigabytes in size, save on your internet bill, save precious time watching a dumb blue screen (like below) and so on. The blessing of ditching the Windows list is pretty long.
And you are in a perfect place to choose your first Linux distro as we prepare this list with much care and your very need.
This is how you waste your time by watching this for hours per month, not anymore!There may be mixed opinions about what qualifies a distro for a beginner. From my point of view, I believe a distro is perfect for beginners if it possesses the below criteria:
As you can see, these are pretty basic needs from a computing standpoint for an average user. And these are the distros which I believe are a perfect fit for beginners’ distros.
Over the years, Linux Mint proved itself to be an ideal distro for not only beginners but everyone. You can easily use this operating system for any use case.
Hence, our first on this list is Linux Mint.
Linux Mint comes with three variants based on different desktop environments. But at its core, it remains the same. It is based on Ubuntu LTS and has a 5-year support plan.
Moreover, for those five years, you get hardware support, bug fixes and security fixes. This alone makes it to be a perfect beginner distro.
Linux Mint Cinnamon EditionIn addition, a vast friendly community and well-structured documentation is a plus point. If you are a new user and are stuck for any help, you can go to several communication channels to get help from the community. Usually, the Discord server of Linux Mint is ideal for a fast response.
Another important aspect is that Linux Mint comes with all possible (old and new) hardware support out of the box. So, if you are wondering whether your old printer or any hardware would work or not, then worry not. Try Linux Mint; ideally, the hardware should work out of the box.
That said, here’s a recap of some advantages and disadvantages of Linux Mint with the download link.
Pros
What makes it a great choice?
Cons
But these are some of the constraints
Zorin OS is the second beginner distro on this list. It is perfect for those who want a good starting point with Linux with stability and good looks together. Powered by a custom desktop environment inspired by Xfce and GNOME 3, it brings several ready-made desktop looks. The desktop looks include macOS and Windows with different variations of panel and taskbar.
Zorin OSOther than that, Zorin OS is based on Ubuntu LTS (long-term support), which gives you five years’ worth of support and security updates. Finally, it brings three major variants – Pro, Lite and Core edition to cater to various user bases. The Pro version is a paid version (with a minimal fee) which brings additional desktop customisation options and tweaks.
Pros
What makes it a great choice?
Cons
But these are some of the constraints
The third beginner’s distro in this list is Linux Lite. I have included this because millions of Windows 7 or Windows 10 users whose hardware suddenly became obsolete after the Windows 11 hardware requirement.
But hardware does not become obsolete overnight for specific evil rules imposed by the giants. Linux Lite is perfect for older hardware and also for newer ones. It is powered by Ubuntu LTS releases and comes with a lightweight Xfce desktop environment.
Linux Lite 6 Xfce DesktopIn addition, it brings several in-house utilities specially designed for new users. For example, a beginner may not know how to use a terminal in Linux or upgrade a system. So, Linux Lite has several graphical utilities to take care of day-to-day system & maintenance work.
Pros
What makes it a great choice?
Cons
But these are some of the constraints
Ubuntu Linux is the most used and downloaded Linux operating system. It’s more popular than all the distros in this list combined. Ubuntu Linux (mainly the Long Term Support edition) is used by millions of users, enterprises and real-world business needs.
The only reason we featured Ubuntu as a beginner distro is its capability, popularity and perhaps most widely used. Because of that, beginner users get massive support from an already established user base, forums and so on.
Ubuntu LTS with GNOMEMoreover, almost all third-party applications, games and other associated critical software targets Ubuntu first as their compatible platform. Hence, it is easier for beginner users to get the software they need without many hurdles.
Pros
What makes it a great choice?
Cons
But these are some of the constraints
MX Linux is a Debian-based systemd-free Linux distribution which brings several advantages for beginner users. Hence it is 5th on this list.
For a new user, it doesn’t matter to know what is “systemd” or “init” systems. These are little advanced Linux knowledge in that term.
The primary reason it is a suitable beginner distro is that it brings a complete operating system with pre-loaded applications, easy-to-use desktops and longer-term support.
MX Linux 21 DesktopThanks to Debian, MX Linux officially supports more than 5 years with bug fixes and security updates. In addition, it brings all necessary applications packaged in its installer so that you do not require to perform any further post-install tweaks.
Also, a wide range of free and proprietary hardware support is available, thanks to Debian.
Finally, the Xfce desktop environment is faster and easy to navigate.
Pros
What makes it a great choice?
Cons
But these are some of the constraints
Lubuntu is the LXQt-based Linux Distribution based on Ubuntu Linux. It is one of the super lightweight distros that is stable, super-fast and brings a wide range of hardware and software support.
Thanks to its Ubuntu base, you get all the advantages of being a Ubuntu-based distro which we featured above for Ubuntu.
Lubuntu 22.04 LTS Desktop – isn’t it nice and cleanThe LXQt desktop is the most friendly and super fast legacy desktop today. It even outranks Xfce and KDE Plasma in terms of performance. In addition, beginner users do not require to learn anything additional to use this desktop because of its legacy design.
Hence, I believe it’s a perfect choice for a set of beginner users.
Pros
What makes it a great choice?
Cons
But these are some of the constraints
Fedora Linux with KDE Plasma desktop can be an ideal distro for new users to power users. There are many reasons for this. Firstly, unlike Ubuntu, Fedora Linux is a little advanced and a pioneer in bringing new emerging technology to you. Hence, if you are a beginner in Linux and have modern hardware, Fedora is a perfect choice.
Besides that, the KDE Plasma desktop is a powerful desktop with a vast selection of customisation options. A famous tagline perfectly fits KDE Plasma – “Simple by default, powerful when needed”.
Fedora KDE EditionHence, the blend of Fedora Linux and KDE Plasma is perhaps the most intuitive and powerful combination for all types of Linux users.
Finally, a friendly community of Fedora and KDE Plasma must be another reason to choose this distro over others.
Pros
What makes it a great choice?
Cons
But these are some of the constraints
Pop OS is a Linux distribution created by Americal computer manufacturer System76 for its hardware line-up. Although it is primarily designed for its hardware, it is free to download and use.
The primary reason I think it is perfect for a new user is that it’s designed to be a powerful distro which works well with modern graphics card line-ups and AI-ML workloads. In addition, Pop OS also features a dedicated installer for NVIDIA cards so that you do not require to spend time installing drivers.
Besides that, it’s customised “COSMIC Desktop” brings built-in tiling features, well-designed system tray controls and an application repository called “Pop Shop”.
The Pop Shop is an attractive app which gives you easy access to thousands of apps classified by your use case – Study, Development, Gaming, etc.
Pop OSFinally, due to its popularity, many leading computer manufacturers such as HP and Lenovo launched several Laptop models with Pop OS as the default operating system instead of Windows.
Hence, Pop OS is one of the best contenders in this list as a beginner Linux distro.
Pros
What makes it a great choice?
Cons
But these are some of the constraints
The elementaryOS is famous for its looks and design. It’s the best distro for beginners who wants a mix of aesthetics and stability in Linux. This distro is heavily inspired by macOS and its design principle. IF you are a macOS user and want to jump into the Linux world, this is a perfect distro.
At its core, it is powered by the Ubuntu long-term support editions, which give you the necessary security and bug fixes for more than 5 years with extended support.
elementary OS 6 ODIN DesktopOne advantage of elementary OS for a beginner is its own “App Center”, which is loaded with curated applications for your daily needs. These apps are designed to work well and give you an immersive experience within the desktop itself.
Finally, the Pantheon desktop is perhaps the best-designed desktop environment among all the options listed here.
Pros
What makes it a great choice?
Cons
But these are some of the constraints
The last Linux distro for beginners in this list is the famous Deepin OS. It features the stunning Deepin desktop environment popular among Windows and macOS users.
The Deepin desktop is known for its out-of-the-box aesthetics, customisation options and design. At the core, Deepin is powered by a Debian-stable branch, which means the support lifecycle is available for more than five years.
Deepin 20 DesktopMoreover, Deepin brings its own “App Store”, which features selected applications and is easier to download/install/uninstall software for beginners.
Deepin also supports advanced features such as face unlock, fingerprint login, etc.
Pros
What makes it a great choice?
Cons
But these are some of the constraints
I hope this list of Linux distro(s) for beginners helps you choose the best one for your needs. The above list comprises a blend of different desktop environments suitable for novice users. I also gave some hints about the advantages & disadvantages of each one of the beginner’s distros (s). Although, the pros and cons are subjective and depend on individual taste. But I tried to keep a balance while featuring those.
Also, I have not included any distro based on Arch Linux consciously because it is a little difficult for new users. There are many user-friendly Arch-based distros, such as Manjaro Linux, but I firmly believe Arch should not be a starting point for new users in their Linux journey.
I have been on Mint 17 Cinnamon since I started and have found no reason to change. I’m not a heavy PC user. Just browsing, a couple of Windows VMs withVirtual Box and some utilities.
I run Mint 20.3 on one of my desktops and have also installed KDE on it. So my Mint is with KDE. It’s not that hard to install it along with Cinnamon. Here’s how: https://www.ghacks.net/2021/10/19/installing-kde-linux-mint/
Apple is even smarter in that respect. They have releases ("Catalina", "Monterey") but there are no variants like "Home" or "Pro" or "Server". It's "MacOS", done. Easy to choose.
A Windows user who is looking to switch to Linux doesn't know how to sort through a dozen Pro/Con distro distinctions.
IMO Linux will never get the wide acceptance it deserves until the number of distro choices in the "Best For Beginners" articles narrows down to one "best".
(BTW, it appears to me that Mint is the clear winner for Linux beginners.)
So why confuse things? Pick the #1, trumpet it to the heavens, and if you must present additional choices, list the others as "Alternatives to the best".
I guarantee you'll see Windows -> Linux use pick up substantially.
“Get over it: Microsoft is a Linux and open source company these days”
Yeah?
Well Bill Gates still makes money from it so Microsoft is STILL EVIL.
Wake me when M$ releases a version of Windows with an open-source kernel.
KDE’s Plasma desktop is slick. Kinda funny how most of the Linux lists always seem to include Ubuntu, various flavors of it like Lubuntu/Xubuntu and they have some build that the includes KDE Plasma but they never include Kubuntu which is straight up Ubuntu with the KDE Plasma desktop.
Good Hunting... from Varmint Al
Good Hunting... from Varmint Al
That seems to be what Ubuntu attempted, which gave rise to Mint. But that is due to the user base being different than the typical Windows user. I think most of the latter overall simply stick with default settings, and just use it for basic functions with no much of attempts at customization and enhancements - the ease and breadth of of which is still extensive, thank God - and do not even know the keyboard shortcut for the Run command nor use it.
But while I am sure there are plenty of Linux users who fall into that category, many more (than Windows users) are hobbyists, and includes those for whom the Linux kernel offers digital scribes vast freedom to create their own custom OS. Plus, no matter how much one OS is advertised, as long as there is no real compelling reason to switch, users will usually stay with what they have. Imagine if the reason to switch to Windows 8 from XP was just because it was advertised as better.
But for me, Linux actually lacks the ease of functionality, enhancements and manner of customization that I have with Windows for free (aside from my initial cost of $29.00 years ago, thank God) - now Windows 11 (but with ExplorerPatcher) and thus 7+ Taskbar Tweaker and Open-Shell-Menu. Etc.
I do not find that very concise and coherent, no offense.
I prefer something like this (customized right click menu included), thank God for options:
Mine runs at 4.6Ghz with water cooling and it’s stable.
While there is more to speed than the clock rate, that is impressive, though I myself cannot justify the expense of water cooling. The highest CPU I had was a AMD 6300, and have a rig now with a AMD 4350 4.2 GHZ running Mint for another user here. In building the PC I use I went with the $100 (in 2019) Ryzen 3200G which you can easily overclock to 4.0Ghz (now that would be . However, despite trying, I could not get my 3200ghz memory (64GB) to run close to that speed when OC'd so I stuck with the 3.6Ghz stock speed. All the drives are SSD, with the OS on a Silicon Power 512GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3x4. Plenty fast for me (no gaming). Thanks be to God that I was able to buy and build this, which has been much used for His purposes.
It should have included this:
(But can be easily customized to anything you like.)
Finally... An honest impartial review!
Thank you Ace!
Finally... An honest impartial review!
Thank you Ace!
Hey now; it costs major money to finance global depopulation and whatever famine scheme he's up to buying up all that farmland.
All these supervillains and nary a James Bond to be found.
“All these supervillains and nary a James Bond to be found.”
Forget James Bond, we want a William Wallace in a vengeful mood. Ride the horse into the mansion and cave his skull in with a ball and chain.
Manjaro on my Raspberry pi 4b works great.
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