Hey everyone! I've recently switched to Linux and now I'm encouraging my parents to give it a try since they're not thrilled about sticking with Windows after support for Windows 10 ends. They're not very tech-savvy and just want their notebooks to run smoothly without much hassle (and I'd like to avoid frequent "how do I do this" questions!). I'm considering Linux Mint or Pop!_OS, but I'm wondering if there's a distro that's even easier for former Windows users. Oh, and it needs to support the German language! Any suggestions?
5 Answers
Both Mint and Pop!_OS are excellent choices. Pop!_OS is fantastic for systems with Intel + Nvidia because it sets up drivers automatically. GNOME is a good desktop environment, especially for those who are used to mobile gestures, which makes it easier for your parents.
If your parents are especially hesitant about "techy things", you might want to consider a Chromebook or ChromeOS Flex. It’s super simple to use, almost no maintenance required, and my friends in their 70s really enjoy them. It could be a great alternative to Linux while ensuring a stress-free experience.
You can't go wrong with Mint or Ubuntu—they come pre-loaded with essential apps. Pop!_OS is solid too, but I’d be cautious with older versions. If you're looking for a German-friendly distro, OpenSUSE is a great option, but I don't know much about it myself.
I'm currently helping my own parents transition, and I’m installing Fedora KDE for them. I gave them a test laptop with Mint and different desktop environments, and they preferred KDE. It might be helpful to let them try different environments!
Linux Mint and Ubuntu are two of the easiest distros for switching from Windows. I'd recommend installing both and letting your parents choose the one they prefer. They're both user-friendly and have lots of documentation available.
I totally agree! Chromebooks are really intuitive and secure. If they’re not comfortable with Linux, this could be a perfect fit for them.