“Or maybe I should go with Mint...?”
As a first time Linux user I would highly suggest Mint and here is why. Easy to use right away, and the included default reviewed and trusted app repository is HUGE. The Ubuntu/Mint repository has anything anyone would ever want with one click installs and uninstalls internally with the software manager. Other Distros just cannot compare with the variety and number of internal repository apps available for Ubuntu and Mint.
Start with something easy and then one can always go play with other stuff even at the same time. With Linux there is no law that you have to only use, play with, or be loyal to any one Distro. You can mix and match all you like and still use external USB OS systems to experiment and play with others to see how you like them. The “only one OS at a time” perspective is deep set subconscious ideology based on Microsoft policy all these years. Linux will even let you install several different on the same internal drive if you like so you can boot from a list of different Distros.
The ability to play with as many different Distros as you like is now unlimited when you start playing with Linux. But it is just logical to start with the easiest Distro with the largest repository to become familiar with Linux it’s self first. And that is Mint... It is logical to learn how to drive in the more reliable and easy to drive family car first rather than just jumping right into a race car to learn how to drive. With all due respect to ShadowAce because he is a Linux genius and I personally put him on a pedestal and have learned a lot from him, but his perspectives and choices are that from a highly technologically advanced and experienced race car driver and not always from the perspective of someone just learning how to drive. :)
I heard that Mint doesn’t enable SNAP by default. Do you know if that is true? I’m using Kubuntu as of the reload I had to do because of a drive failure. I do not like snap doing app upgrades silently and other things. Might have to switch to Mint with XFCE.
Thank you!!! Yes, I am very much a beginner...but still willing to explore at my age...(kinda elderly...lol)