Main Area and Open Discussion > General Software Discussion

best first time linux distro for windows user

(1/2) > >>

Target:
I have been cleaning up old PC's at work and have a bunch of desktops that are intended to be donated to a women's DV charity

They don't currently have any OS installed and the business isn't going to spring for (w10) licences for donor devices

What recommendations (if any) would you guys have as far as Linux distros?

Bear in mind the intended audience will most likely not be terribly computer literate (beyond web surfing and email), and probably only have been exposed to windows OS's

TIA

publicdomain:
This is a fine list with an explanation on why each distro can be good for Windows users:

Top 10 Linux Distributions for Windows Users in 2023

1. Zorin OS
2. Linux Mint Cinnamon Edition
3. Kubuntu LTS Release
4. Deepin
5. Ubuntu LTS Release with GNOME
6. Endless OS
7. Linux Lite
8. Pop OS
9. elementary OS
10. Peppermint OS-debugpoint
--- End quote ---

Source: https://www.debugpoint.com/best-linux-distributions-windows/

Shades:
Linux Mint (version 21, Cinnamon edition) I have tried extensively myself. Found that the start menu to be quite like Windows 7. The graphical style of icons is not the same, but the way the menu works is very similar. And for basic computing usage, Mint will be a great choice for "new" Linux users.

While Pop!_OS (version 20.04, Gnome) does not look or feel like Windows 7 or newer, I found that Linux distribution to be very friendly towards beginning Linux users as well.

Tried both distributions on Lenovo laptops (Yoga and IdeaPad 5), which was a very good experience. All hardware in those devices was supported and working as well in Linux as in Windows.

I have also tried out Deepin (v15) and ElementaryOS (v0.5). These distributions look initially like very good options, but the experience changes quickly if you need something that is not part of their set of tools. ElementaryOS is worse than Deepin in this regard. Whether it is a thing for you or not...Deepin is made in/by China. There was a whole section that was made to be used in China. Simply wouldn't work without an IP address assigned for use in China.

Deozaan:
Linux Mint seems pretty good to me.

MilesAhead:
I haven't used Linux for awhile but as a Windows user the things I felt that helped me endure less frustration were:

1) something derived from Debian that used APT to get and install software packages.  Most stuff worked after install without tinkering.

2) something that comes with a text editor that uses Windows key bindings.  Back in the day I installed kylix IDE just to use the editor for text files.

3) something that installs from a single CD or USB image that can fetch additional packages from the cloud during setup.  Boot into the gui and it is all there already.

I did not like to use a word processor because it had Windows key bindings when all iI needed was a text editor.

Just my $.02   :Thmbsup:

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page