Finally making the transition from Windows to a Linux. I’m pretty sure it’s been asked several times but which Linux OS would you recommend a beginner to use? I’ve seen Ubuntu and Mint as a good start. Not looking to do much. Game here and there (not too worried about Linux compatibility), streaming, editing videos. If I break any rules. I’m sorry.
As someone who’s been in this for a while, go with Mint.
It’s not a “beginner distro”. You can start there, you can stay there as long as you don’t develop any super niche prerequisites. Even then, Mint can probably do it.
The developers are sane and it’s a popular system that has been in development for years with many tweaks and improvements. There’s a big community around it if you need help/guides.
You just can’t go wrong with it.
Long time Mint enjoyer, the ONLY caveat I would put on that is I doesn’t yet have stable for support Wayland.
For a beginner, having the ability to run android apps via waydroid could be a real draw card.
Wayland support is coming, but it isn’t here yet.
If I read OP correctly, they plan to livestream games. Screen capture isn’t as smooth of an experience on Wayland as it is on X11. Which isn’t to say one can’t do screen capture on Wayland, but that it might be a point of frustration for a Linux newbie trying to stream or record their gameplay.
Tbh I haven’t had that issue in a while om KDE, tho TBF I don’t stream often. Screensharing on discord, meets, etc works perfectly fine tho, and I did manage to stream something with OBS.
I understood streaming as on the receiving end, e.g. watching streamed content online.
I would actually rate that as a plus.
While it’s nice to have the ability to run android apps, I don’t think many newcomers expect that.
However, it’s much more likely to find an Nvidia GPU in there somewhere, which works notoriously badly with Wayland.
Also Wayland has scaling issues with lower resolution fullscreen apps and settings.
I’d rather have those things working by default.
It’s not a “beginner distro”.
I would hardly disagree, that it isnt a beginner Distros. However, this does not mean that Mint is bad. It is a rock solid Distros that is focused on accessibility and being user friendly. It gives everyone who wants the ability to learn Linux/CLI while still giving GUIs as Backup if something is to complex in the command line. However not everyone wants to learn Linux/CLI and this is totally fine. For these People Mint is perfect.
That highly depends on what you consider a “beginner distro” to be.
I don’t like the term, because to me, it implies that you have to emigrate from Mint to something else at some point, which is not the case.
It’s not a distro that is supposed to teach you how to do X on Linux systems. It’s just a solid OS with a lot of features that are easily accessible, which does make it suited for starters, yes.
I don’t think you have to or should touch the terminal at any time as a regular user and Mint allows you to not do that, as you pointed out as well.
I don’t like the term, because to me, it implies that you have to emigrate from Mint to something else at some point, which is not the case.
I can totally understand where the implication comes from but I personally dont see it like that. I see it more as a measurement for how accessible something is.
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mint
Don’t use Mint or Ubuntu, use Bazzite. It actually is “just works” with the added benefit of “you can’t break it”. It’s perfect for both beginners and experienced users who are looking to do work rather than tinker with their OS.
And if you have a graphics card (which you probably do since you mentioned gaming), Bazzite comes with Nvidia or AMD drivers preinstalled, so you don’t have to do anything extra to get it to work.
But if you really want to follow the YT influencer Linux memes, at least go with Ubuntu instead of Mint. Mint is just Ubuntu with a different default desktop, but
worse in every other wayless reliable (edit: toned down the exaggeration)Mint is just Ubuntu with a different default desktop, but way less reliable
I have never heard this, why?
The default desktop is better so why not use it. Especially for beginners, the default being a better option, that’s a good thing.
Mint is a more polished ubuntu as far as i’m aware.
Linux is linux. In the end it’s more your personal taste with just a little sprinkle of use case that decides.
The main differences are:
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Update speed: How quickly are the repositories getting updates. That’s a spectrum between getting cutting edge version in days or weeks or having things unchaged for up to several years. Or in other worlds you will see more bugs in freshly released software, but also bugfixes often within days. Compared to getting new feature only after years, but rarely any bugs (the very few ones that slip through… well, you will get the fix in a few years). That’s also where use case plays a bigger role. If you use very new hardware and want software that uses their newest features, a rather stale slow updating distro might not be the right fit for you.
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Update scheme: Fixed vs. continues release. Continues releases are slowly but constantly changing over time but once installed they can basically used forever. While fixed releases are mostly just shipping critical bugfixes and security patches and doing everything else in big release steps (think in terms of Windows upgrades here: You mostly have the same thing for years but at a certain point there is a newer version that might bring changes in defaults, new pre-installed software, UI changes etc. and after a couple of years you lose support if you don’t do that step).
Also more depending on your personal taste and habits:
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How much are you willing or interested in tinkering? Basically all distros give you access to all software. But what is pre-installed changes, both in what is provided by default and also how much software is there already. For example do you want stuff for video editing set up already or don’t you care as you will test out all the options available anyway?
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The same is true the basic desktop environment. Gnome and KDE are the two big ones (with some more oftens based or forked from those two). And it mostly a difference of “here is our environment exactly as we think it’s best with very little customisation” (Gnome - also the one with most forks, by people who did not agree with the Gnome devs vision) and “have fun customising” (KDE). Is customising stuff to your liking your thing? Or do don’t care and also prefer something as close to what you are used to on Windows? Again: Distros have all the options available. But some have one environment or the other pre-installed. Or they come in different flavors from the beginning. If customisation isn’t your cup of tea the decision on a certain distro matters much more.
Other considerations:
- Immutable distros are more on the newer end of things. They are basically designed more like for example Android. There is a base system that rarely changes and allows basically a “reset ot factory settings”, with updates and additionally installed software provided as incremental changes and/or highly containerised. That has benefits (you can revert screw ups easily) but also drawbacks (decades of available linux instructions are now worthless until you really understand where that regular config file you can’t edit anymore is now located in some separate container only used by one specific piece of software - and most people that google for such solutions don’t). Again this is mostly decided by habits. Are you expecting to tinker with your system or do you just want something that works on its own that neither you or an upgrade cannot possibly break. In the latter case an immutable distro can be the thing for you. And as always… you have all the options and you can also setup most other distros with extensive systems of “save points” to revert problematic changes anyway.
Things to not consider:
- ignore the answers speaking about “it provides WINE for running windows stuff” or “it comes with NVIDIA drivers” because they basically all do (minus the already mentioned combination of running cutting edge hardware with very slow updating distros - that’s not a good idea). At the worst it usually requires clicking some “Yes, I don’t insist on open source stuff exclusively but will also to use proprietary drivers if available” checkbox in the installer.
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options:
- i just want my shit to work: mint
- i just don’t want to deal with all of windows’ nonsense changes: zorin
- i just want my shit to work and i have ideological problems with microsoft: linux mint debian edition
- i want an ideologically pure os (mostly): debian
- i want a truly ideologically pure os: pureos
- i just want my shit to work and i have an old-ish computer: mx linux
- i just want my shit to work and i have a considerably old computer: antix
I just want to game: bazzite
I want to question life: bohi linux
I thought that would be Arch 😆
I haven’t used arch (yet) to form an opinion. I do however run bohi on a laptop. It’s been rock solid, but I offten scratch my head when I’m using it and end up questioning my life choices.
TempleOS
Mint is the OS of choice for beginners. It’s hassle free and it just works. Ubuntu is good, but its snap package got a bad rap when it was launched. It’s not that bad. But it gets confusing since you end up with 3 different software packaging systems. (Apt with .deb files, Flatpak and Snap)
Personally I use Kubuntu, the KDE Plasma desktop version because it’s so much more like Windows and has many more features. I don’t mind the Snap packages, but I avoid them if I can if I can use Flatpak instead. Snap and Flatpak are essentially the same thing: it installs and runs software in a sandboxed environment which makes it safer to use.
Same. Kubuntu for its familiar Windows-like interface.
Gnu
LMAO You and I both know they meant which distro, asshole. 😂
I don’t think they were even bothering to even acknowledge the question that was answered by enough others.
They weren’t being one way or another or anything but to just provide important information. That, because it is, even though the poster didn’t recognize the importance of it, yet.
That’s as properly helpful as one may be given that absolute shit flung our way for highlighting this particular point.
Although we might be opt to point out some capitalization issues. That may well ack-choo-choo-ally be the point though.
It’s been asked a million times, and it’ll be answered every time, and the answers will mostly be “Mint, Fedora, FedoraKDE, and if you wanna game Bazzite.”
The real advice that gets posted less, regardless of distro:
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Back up your important files to an external drive, often. It’s entirely possible you’ll fuck up an install beyond repair (or beyond what you know how to do at the time) and you end up reinstalling. If you can just put your important files back and be up and running, nothing of value is lost.
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Don’t be scared of the terminal, it’s incredibly useful. Look up a few YT vids like “bash basics” or “linux terminal for beginners” or something and follow along like it’s a class, you’ll soon be comfortable enough to use it when you need it, and you will, and you may come to love it. It’s not as bad as windows cmd! Be careful when using sudo or su, that’s when you could really screw up the system (but mostly it’ll be fine just be careful.
And most importantly, have fun!
Here’s an absolute classic unix koan about the terminal:
One evening, Master Foo and Nubi attended a gathering of programmers who had met to learn from each other. One of the programmers asked Nubi to what school he and his master belonged. Upon being told they were followers of the Great Way of Unix, the programmer grew scornful.
“The command-line tools of Unix are crude and backward,” he scoffed. “Modern, properly designed operating systems do everything through a graphical user interface.”
Master Foo said nothing, but pointed at the moon. A nearby dog began to bark at the master’s hand.
“I don’t understand you!” said the programmer.
Master Foo remained silent, and pointed at an image of the Buddha. Then he pointed at a window.
“What are you trying to tell me?” asked the programmer.
Master Foo pointed at the programmer’s head. Then he pointed at a rock.
“Why can’t you make yourself clear?” demanded the programmer.
Master Foo frowned thoughtfully, tapped the programmer twice on the nose, and dropped him in a nearby trashcan.
As the programmer was attempting to extricate himself from the garbage, the dog wandered over and piddled on him.
At that moment, the programmer achieved enlightenment
Source: https://catb.org/~esr/writings/unix-koans/gui-programmer.html
I need Peter Griffin to explain this one
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Mint is fine. I went with pop!_os because at the time mint didn’t play well with my hardware.
Make sure you test things from the install live disk before you commit. Internet access, displays, audio should all work.
Aurora, it’s the desktop version of massively popular Bazzite (which targets gaming). That means you’ll find tons of up to date tutorials online (Bazzite tutorials are usually applicable unless they are about the few features Bazzite and Aurora diverge specifically).
I explicitly advise against Ubuntu and Mint for the reasons I outlined here. Ubuntu and Mint have the added downside that almost none of the guides you’ll find about SteamOS will work: Different desktop, different philosophy.
People need to realize that since the success of Steam Deck the “old classics” of newbie recommendations are out of the window and what helps these users the most is a Linux distribution as close as possible to SteamOS but SteamOS is not available for random PCs, so Bazzite/Aurora are currently the way to go. Personally I like Fedora KDE but I shifted my stance since the linked post and trying out Aurora.
Bazzite is great on desktop, it’s just more gaming focused than Aurora
Bazzite is great on desktop
Absolutely but people not interested in autolaunching Steam and other preinstalled launchers can use Aurora which is just the workstation flavor by the same people.
it doesn’t auto launch anything on desktop
it doesn’t auto launch anything on desktop
I installed Bazzite just last weekend and I was definitively greeted by a Steam client login window right after logging into SDDM. No idea what you’re talking about.
i have to click the steam icon to launch steam
i have no idea what you’re doing wrong on your desktop
Yeah my Bazzite definitely doesn’t auto launch Steam. I think that might be an option during setup?
Been using it for over a year now. Never auto launched into Steam once.
Yeah my Bazzite definitely doesn’t auto launch Steam. I think that might be an option during setup?
I installed it in a VM and after installation Steam launched. Didn’t check if that persists after several reboots. Why would I?
Then I tried Aurora and with the exception of a Terminal app in Plasma’s quick launch panel and no gaming launchers installed, it’s pretty much the same thing, so might just as well recommend Aurora instead of Bazzite if the person in question doesn’t care much about gaming. It’s the workstation variant of Universal Blue.
see? another person has the same result
you just got ratioed!
i tell you what bazzite does do. it installs a bunch of DE extensions that are not useful. they are very easy to disable
You really hate Bazzite, huh? Almost seems like it’s your job.
I don’t know, bud, I’m just saying that it is not the default and has not happened to me once in the past year, and one or two fresh installs.
It’s literally just KDE
Immutable distros aren’t really that great yet due to the way they force certain things down one’s throat. I’d say I’d recommend one if I were in a mental asylum for a long time, but that’s just me.
Wow, that seems like a rather hostile take on the matter if I’ve ever seen one. But I feel like you might be conflating stuff OR hurt yourself while trying to force your way on an “immutable” distro.
After learning the ropes on how to install and manage software, there’s not really much to Bazzite. Unless you somehow happen to be dealing with one of the ever-so-rare-becoming edge-cases it can’t deal with.
My stepfather had a bad experience with one of them, and I think he’s currently using Fedora (with Wayland), but that’s at least better than whatever that distro was (I think it might have been Bluefin or something like that, a Fedora Immutable derivative).
That’s why I’m currently against immutable distros as of right now.
Interesting. Thanks for the clarification! It would have been even more helpful if you could recall more details about the bad experience. Thanks in advance!
Mint loaded Steam via the package manager and it worked out of the box for me. There have been some games I had to try different versions of Proton with, but I have never found that to be not true for some games.
Just FYI in case you don’t know - SteamOS has changed and is now based on Arch, which means Bazzite is still fundamentally different.
I personally went with Garuda Linux for two reasons:
- SteamOS is Arch based (so is Garuda)
- When researching issues, 80% of the time you’ll end up on the Arch Wiki anyway. Might as well use the actual thing.
Bazzite is probably easier to use for newbies (immutable, relatively stable update windows), but in terms of “I found a guide for SteamOS online on how to get game X working”, Garuda will be much better. Also, Garuda devs included their Rani app, which helps the user take care of the OS, handling a lot of the maintenance.
Just FYI in case you don’t know - SteamOS has changed and is now based on Arch, which means Bazzite is still fundamentally different.
Both are immutable distributions, meaning software installation via Flatpak and Distrobox is exactly the same.
System-level differences are mostly irrelevant which is a fundamentally different approach from Ubuntu, Mint, etc. where users are expected to juggle with PPAs to get newer drivers on their ancient Ubuntu LTS base.
Mint is fine, Ubuntu sucks ass, don’t use that. Zorin OS is also fine.
As someone who’s been using Linux for around 12 years now, I just came back to Mint a while ago and it’s a good choice for close to everyone I reckon.
I used pretty much all the major distros and some niche ones as well, but in the end I want a PC that does PC things without having to fuck around all the time. Mint does exactly that, it just works.
That being said, feel free to mess around with live USBs, try some distros on an old laptop etc, it’s good fun and you might find something you really like.
I’d recommend either OpenSuSE or Fedora, both with KDE. They’re big, well supported distros, which should install without issue and provide a slick modern experience. I use OpenSuSE, as I find the YaST system tools convenient and user friendly.
I’d avoid Ubuntu, multiple issues. Mint is a good distro but I think any big mainstream distro “just works” now, so I’d go for something that uses a slicker desktop. I prefer KDE, which is available on Mint but just isn’t as tightly integrated as their own Cinnamon desktop.
Mint 100% to start with, install Nvidia drivers if you have an Nvidia graphics card. Install and run a game though Steam or whatever and if all the hardware works and you can get the refresh rate you want you’re good to go.
If not, install Fedora KDE and do the same.
If you still have issues on Fedora make another post here with some hardware details and say what you tried.
Just a question: why fedora KDE? I’ve used fedora for a few years but always with gnome. Really liked it. What would be the advantage with KDE? Or what actually is the difference ?
the difference is really just having kde desktop, which some prefer over gnome
The defaults are more similar to Windows, Gnome is really good too, more aesthetically pleasing also IMO.
Thanks! Yeah I prefer the gnome one. I think it’s heavier resource-wise but for people expecting an OS to look “like an OS” (people who prefer not to use a terminal) it’s great. I think I’ve used KDE Like 10 years ago but I am not sure if it was KDE.
Yeah, in general Gnome feels more like an entry point for Mac users and the default experience is super polished. KDE has made massive stability improvements and they don’t do the whole fiasco that 4.0 was anymore. I really like that it’s more oriented towards people who like a lot of settings to play with and you can pretty much make your own desktop UI without installing a bunch of less supported extensions.
I currently jammed everything into a small bar at the top with a global menu, tasks, system tray, clock and quick notes, set up shortcuts for loads of stuff and removed the title bar. My screen space probably is the biggest I’ve seen and I feel like other people are in toolbar hell, lol.
Honestly, whatever you go with, you should make sure it has KDE plasma, it has a graphical interface that more closely resembles Windows and can function as training wheels until you better familiarize yourseld with the terminal. If you’re looking at Ubuntu, just be aware that you will likely find it irritating once you start understanding how the system works as it forces its own package manager, snap, which introduces a slew of difficulties in acclamaiting to the Linux ecosystem. However, snap does make installation easier for newcomers who may not understand how to identify dependencies for a given package they wish to install. With all of this in mind, Kubuntu is a really good option for first-timers as its a flavour of Ubuntu that comes with KDE Plasma out of the box.
