I'm helping my dad install Linux on his computer, but I'm unsure which distro to choose since he's new to Linux. I've been considering Fedora, but I'm worried about the complexities with codecs, Nvidia drivers, and the RPM Fusion repository. I also want to avoid Linux Mint because I feel that Cinnamon doesn't look modern enough for him. However, I definitely want a distro with KDE that supports Wayland, and he should be able to use both the graphical interface and command line for tasks like installing packages. He isn't a heavy user—mostly just emails, web browsing, and watching movies. Any suggestions for a suitable distro?
5 Answers
Fedora could be a solid choice! It's frequently updated and pretty stable, plus it has strong KDE support. Just be prepared to help with the codec installations to make it user-friendly for him.
Ultimately, the best distro depends on what you're comfortable helping him with. Let him test drive a few live versions before making a decision, so he can find a desktop environment he feels good about. Don't overlook Linux Mint or even Zorin for that matter—both great for total novices coming from Windows.
Great suggestion! DistroSea also lets you test some without installing—might be worth checking out.
Have you considered asking your dad what he actually needs? You might not like Mint, but it shines for beginners. My dad actually ended up loving Gnome because it feels familiar for someone used to an Android phone.
That's a good point! My dad preferred Gnome too; he said it felt like his phone, which was a plus for him.
I'd suggest looking into an immutable distro, like Bazzite, especially since your dad isn't tech-savvy. Immutable distros are more stable and won't easily break, making them feel more like Windows.
Aurora is another great option! It's user-friendly and built on Fedora but focuses on a streamlined KDE experience.
Even if Mint doesn’t look modern to you, it’s a fantastic choice for someone just starting out. It’s intuitive and versatile—definitely worth considering!
True! Plus, Fedora with the Cinnamon desktop actually looks pretty modern!
Totally agree! I recommend sticking with the Gnome desktop instead of KDE to keep it smoother and simpler for him.