I just bought a new laptop that doesn't have an operating system, and I've been thinking it's the perfect time to switch to Linux. I'm planning to use it mostly for gaming (single-player games like Baldur's Gate and CKIII) as well as some home office tasks, like basic document work. Security and privacy are important to me too, and I'm aiming to eventually 'degoogle' as much as possible. I'm more knowledgeable than the average user, but I still consider myself a complete beginner when it comes to Linux.
I've been looking at Linux Mint and Pop!_OS, but I'm also curious about Debian or other options. Would those be too challenging for a newbie? What do you guys recommend?
5 Answers
I'd say stick with Linux Mint or Zorin OS for starters. They're super user-friendly and make the transition from Windows pretty smooth. You can even run them in live mode from a USB stick to test them out first without installing anything. Just a heads up, Debian is a bit more technical, so I wouldn't recommend it right away.
To ease the transition from Windows, I'd definitely recommend Mint or Pop!_OS. They’re beginner-friendly and have a lot of easy options. If you're planning to play games, don't shy away from installing those to see how they work for you!
Try checking out this distro selection page. It can guide you through your choices! But honestly, pick one that feels right and don’t overthink it. You can always try something else later!
I think Mint is a fantastic choice for new users. It has a straightforward interface and plenty of community support. If you're considering Pop!_OS, it's great for gaming since it has a lot of optimization for that. Check those out and see what vibe fits you!
Exactly! And don’t forget to try the KDE desktop environment if you want an awesome experience for gaming.
Just pick one that looks good to you! Most of these distros are quite similar, so it really comes down to personal preference. You can also test them out in a virtual machine like VirtualBox before making any permanent changes.
Yeah, Mint and Zorin are definitely easier to get into! Plus, you won’t have to deal with too much headache setting things up.