I've been using Windows since version 7 and have shifted to Windows 10 primarily for gaming. Recently, I got a MacBook Air M1 for work on the go. I'm now interested in diving into Linux, which I've heard can be quite complex but also very powerful. I've seen a lot of discussions about it lately and I'm eager to try it out. I'd love to hear your suggestions on which Linux distribution to start with, especially if you can share some reasoning behind your recommendations! Also, I mainly game on Windows, and do a lot of video and photography editing both on Windows and my Mac, so I want to choose something that can possibly accommodate my needs.
5 Answers
If you're just starting out, I'd highly recommend Linux Mint. It's well-designed, easy to install, and has a solid community for support. Plus, it’s stable and secure, making it perfect for beginners. Just be sure to check if the software you use for video and photography can run on Linux, as some apps may not be compatible, even with compatibility layers. Gaming has also gotten better on Linux, especially with Steam — just check out ProtonDB to see if your games are compatible before diving in. Take your time and explore, you'll find your way!
Exactly! It’s best to explore a bit before committing. Linux Mint has various desktop environments, which makes it more customizable.
From my experience, jumping onto Mint with the Cinnamon desktop is a lot of fun! It feels really familiar, and customization options are solid. I think you'll find it convenient, especially if you're coming from Windows.
KDE offers a great experience too! Just wanted to throw in there that it’s pretty customizable as well.
I'd suggest starting with Fedora or Mint as they are both very beginner-friendly. If you don’t like those, give Debian a try. Honestly, most users recommend these distros because of their strong community support, which makes learning a lot easier. Plus, all distros will start to feel similar once you become more familiar with Linux.
Zorin OS is definitely worth a shot! It has a familiar interface if you're coming from Windows or Mac, making the transition a lot smoother. Just be cautious not to install it on a Mac directly — it can be a bit tricky to get it running well.
Go with Linux Mint, Zorin, or Kubuntu. They’re all great starting points. Don’t get too caught up in distro-hopping — just pick one big name and get going with it. You’ll find most distributions work similarly once you dive in.
Great post! I’d suggest looking into testing via a Virtual Machine or using Ventoy to try different distros without full installations. It can really help you find what fits you best.