I'm setting up a secondary system that my family will occasionally use, so it needs to be user-friendly, especially since they're used to Windows. I want something that resembles Windows and is also customizable. I have 6GB of RAM, and I'm considering KDE. Will that work, or are there better options?
7 Answers
XFCE is another solid option. It's clean, straightforward, and doesn't use much CPU, so it'll work well for your needs.
KDE Plasma has a pretty "Windows-like" feel, especially if you think of Windows as it was before it made major changes after XP. It's user-friendly, so your family might adapt to it easily.
KDE and the default Linux Mint interface are both great choices for Windows users. My spouse used Mint with the MATE desktop for a long time without any major issues. Zorin OS can also mimic a Windows UI well, and if you're looking for something lightweight, XFCE offers themes that look like Windows 95.
Think about what your family will primarily do. Most likely, they’ll just need to use a web browser. You could pin it to the taskbar and create a desktop shortcut for easy access, along with LibreOffice set to save files in Microsoft-compatible formats.
If you're leaning towards a simpler setup, go for LXQT but avoid the fancy menu. Stick with the classic Win2k-style menu; that could feel more familiar.
Kubuntu or Mint are both solid choices. Personally, I recommend sticking with KDE; it provides a familiar feel.
It really depends on which version of Windows your family is familiar with. If they’re used to Windows 10, check out KDE, XFCE, or Cinnamon. For Windows 11, Gnome might be better. Just remember, none of these DEs will perfectly match Windows right out of the box, so consider tweaking themes for better readability and a more personal touch.
Haha, XFCE really knows how to name their themes! Always a laugh.