Hi everyone, I am planning to install linux on my friends laptop and I am not sure which distro to install for them.

The options I am considering:

  • Fedora: I have it on my PC and since I will be the first person to be asked, I thought it would be best if I know the distro well
  • Mint: is a default suggestion, but I am not sure if it is different enough from the Windows look that one does not expect it to behave the same as Windows
  • Ubuntu: most widely available in forums, etc. And a good starting point in my opinion

What do you guys think?

EDIT: Thanks for all the suggestions, I think I’ll stick with Fedora and let them try Gnome, KDE and Cinnamon :)

  • sbird@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    Setup a Ventoy drive and let them try out a few. Linux Mint, Fedora Workstation (GNOME), and Fedora KDE/Kubuntu (KDE) are all good starting points to figure out what kind of DE they like. If they play a lot of games, Bazzite might also be a good option. GNOME, KDE, and Cinnamon are all very different from each other, and I’m sure that your friend will like at least one of them.

      • k4ro@lemmy.zip
        1·
        2 months ago

        It might be worth also teaching your friend how to:

        • install games via Lutris (if they downloaded the Sims while sailing the high seas)
        • to change Proton/Wine versions (for compatibility, if they play older titles)
        • how to install libraries through Winetricks/Protontricks (again for older titles requiring abandoned libraries like playing .wmv files in-game)
        • how to mod the Sims and how to run .exe tools inaide Wine/Proton prefixes (such as Anadius’ tool for Sims 4)