Hey everyone! I'm looking to try out Linux on my old ThinkPad E495 that I don't use anymore, especially after being inspired by Pewdiepie's video. I know very little about Linux—mostly that it's open source and customizable—but I find it kind of intimidating. I want something user-friendly, especially as I'm a complete beginner.
I have a 16GB USB stick available, although it has a prom dance video that takes up about 8.6GB, and I still want to use it. I'd like to have a few essentials on the laptop like Discord, Steam, a file explorer, Firefox, and maybe an antivirus. I'd appreciate any recommendations!
3 Answers
I suggest checking out LMDE with Cinnamon. Honestly, I’d steer clear of Ubuntu and its derivatives, as they might be frustrating for newcomers. But keep in mind that Mint is based on Ubuntu, so it has its ups and downs.
I agree with trying Fedora Workstation, but also consider Debian if you’re patient enough to get past the website and installation process. Just be sure to back up your prom video first, or get a new USB stick; it's key to keep your files safe!
Are you mainly interested in gaming since you mentioned Steam? If so, you might want to check out Bazzite, Nobara, or CachyOS—they’re great for gaming. Bazzite is more limited, while Nobara gives you a full gaming setup from the start, and CachyOS is ideal if you like to tinker a bit. For a good balance of learning and ease of use, Fedora Workstation or Fedora KDE would work well. If you want something stable and straightforward, Ubuntu or Mint are options, but I suggest looking into the ones I mentioned first for a bit more flexibility.
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