I recently got my hands on an old Dell OptiPlex micro, and I'm excited to start playing around with Python and take on some small programming projects. I'm considering installing Linux and dual-booting it with Windows, but I'm torn on whether I should keep Windows 10 Pro or ditch it entirely for Linux. The specs are decent—7th gen i5, 16GB RAM, and a 2TB SSD. Since I'm pretty tech-savvy but know almost nothing about Linux, I'd love some advice on where to start. Is Ubuntu a good choice, or should I look at other options?
5 Answers
Migrating from Windows to Linux can be a bit tricky since they operate differently. First, you'll want to assess if your must-have apps have Linux alternatives, as many Windows applications don't run on Linux without some help. For your OptiPlex, you should be good to go since Dell's machines are generally compatible with Linux—especially Ubuntu, thanks to their partnership with Canonical. If you're new to Linux, I often recommend Linux Mint. It's user-friendly, stable, and comes with solid community support. Test it out via 'Live' USB to see how it works on your hardware before fully committing!
As far as keeping Windows goes, it might not hurt to hold onto it for a while—especially since Windows 10 is around for another year, depending on updates. You can easily play with different distros in 'live mode' via a USB before deciding to install one. Mint is often the go-to choice for Windows users, but testing out a few could really help you find what you like best. Enjoy your exploration!
Everything the last commenter said is spot on! The specs of your machine should handle any distro smoothly. While the actual distro matters less for beginners, the desktop environment can make a big difference. GNOME and KDE are the two popular environments; they come bundled with most distros. Ubuntu uses GNOME, but I recommend Fedora instead for a better experience and a more up-to-date software package. Just try them out with a live boot stick before settling on one!
Great tip about the desktop environments! Experimenting with both GNOME and KDE sounds fun, especially since you can customize them a lot.
Check out the migration resources on the Linux4Noobs wiki! They have a lot of useful info and tips for switching from Windows to Linux. Always ensure your data is backed up and consider keeping Windows a bit longer if you have specific applications you rely on. Mint or Mint XFCE are great starter distros, but don't hesitate to explore and test a few before making your final choice!
If you're considering a quick option, give MX Linux or Zorin a shot! They both have solid support and user-friendly experiences. Test them out on a USB drive to see which one feels right for you before installation. Have fun with your Linux journey!
Totally agree! Mint is a great starting point, plus you can always swap to another distro later if you want. Just be sure to check for all the software you need first!