I'm putting together a lightweight, easy-to-use computer for my wife, who isn't comfortable with Windows or complicated desktop environments. The system has an Intel i5-12400, 32GB of DDR4-3600 memory, an RTX 3060, a 2TB NVMe SSD, and a 3TB hard drive. She mainly wants to watch movies stored on the hard drive, use streaming services such as Prime Video, Disney+, Discovery, Tubi, and YouTube, do a little web browsing, check email, and play simple games like solitaire. The hardware is mostly made from parts I already have, so I'm looking for an operating system and setup that feel as straightforward as possible.
5 Answers
Before committing, check the streaming services she uses on Linux. Most work in a browser, but some services may limit resolution or require DRM support. Test the important ones first so there are no surprises.
For solitaire, PySol Fan Club Edition is worth checking out. It includes a huge selection of card games and makes it easy to save favorites, so she won’t have to hunt around for the ones she likes.
Ubuntu is another beginner-friendly option and has a polished, slightly more modern interface. Mint may feel more familiar for someone coming from Windows, while Ubuntu can be a good choice if you prefer a cleaner layout and strong built-in documentation.
Since she has mostly used phones, the desktop environment may take more adjustment than the operating system itself. A simple layout with large shortcuts for movies, the browser, email, and her games could make the computer much less intimidating.
Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop would probably be the easiest transition. It has a familiar Windows-style layout, works well with Firefox and VLC, and should handle the local movies, browsing, email, and casual games without any trouble.
Mint sounds like the best fit. I’ll install it and see how comfortable she finds the interface.
The browser matters more than the desktop itself, but DRM and service-specific restrictions can still affect whether HD playback works properly.