I'm putting together a lightweight, easy-to-use computer for my wife, who is nervous around Windows and complicated desktop interfaces. The system has an ASRock B660M Pro RS motherboard, an Intel Core i5-12400, 32GB of DDR4-3600 memory, an RTX 3060, a 2TB Samsung 990 EVO SSD, and a 3TB WD hard drive. The hardware is already available, so I'm mainly looking for software advice rather than trying to minimize the build cost.
She'll mostly watch movies stored on the hard drive, use Prime Video, Disney+, Discovery, Tubi, and YouTube, browse the web occasionally, check email, and play simple games such as solitaire. I'd like the interface and maintenance to be as straightforward as possible. Would a beginner-friendly Linux distribution be a good fit, or would Windows or a Chromebook-style setup be easier?
4 Answers
Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop would probably be the best starting point. It has a familiar, Windows-like layout, works well with VLC and Firefox, and should run effortlessly on that hardware. You can set up shortcuts for the streaming sites, email, movie folders, and solitaire so she rarely needs to navigate through the full desktop.
Before committing to Linux, test the streaming services she cares about. Most work in a browser, but some services can have restrictions involving digital rights management, supported browsers, or maximum playback quality. Confirm that Prime Video, Disney+, Discovery, and the others play at the quality you expect.
The browser makes them mostly cross-platform, but Linux support can still vary by service and browser. A quick test with the exact distribution and browser is safer than assuming everything will behave identically.
If she has only really used phones and has no interest in learning a traditional desktop, a Chromebook or a very simplified Windows setup may feel more natural. For a full computer with local movies and installed programs, though, Mint is likely the more flexible option.
The computer is far more powerful than necessary for this use, but since you already have the parts, there’s no real issue with using them. The i5’s integrated graphics would handle video playback and casual games, so the RTX 3060 isn’t needed unless you plan to use the machine for more demanding games later.
Mint sounds like the closest match. I’ll start with Cinnamon and set up the shortcuts so the main things she uses are easy to find.