Hey everyone! I'm reaching out because I have an old laptop that can't be upgraded to Windows 11. With Windows 10 nearing its end of life, I'm looking to make the switch to Linux. I've always used Windows and have no prior experience with Linux, so I'm kind of a newbie at this. I've heard good things about Linux Mint and Zorin OS for their Windows-like interfaces. Do you think these are good options, or are there other distributions I should consider? I appreciate any help and sorry if this question has been asked a million times!
5 Answers
If you're just starting out, Linux Mint is definitely a solid choice! You can try it out in a live session from the installer to see if everything works for you before deciding to install it. Just make sure to back up your files first!
And don't worry—it's okay to be overwhelmed! A lot of us started where you are. Testing out Ubuntu, Pop!_OS, or even MX Linux might be worth it too. Good luck on your Linux journey!
Definitely check out resources like Distrowatch to understand what each distro offers. Getting a USB stick with Ventoy to try out different ISOs is super helpful. Just make sure you’ve got your data backed up before you dive in!
You’ll want to adjust your mindset since Linux is different from Windows. Start by exploring desktop environments. Once you know which one you prefer, pick a distro that fits. Trying several in a VM is also a great way to learn!
Yeah, just don’t get stuck thinking of them as ‘Windows-like.’ They can feel pretty different from what you’re used to.
Both Mint and Zorin are beginner-friendly, but they pack the power to do much more once you get the hang of it. I suggest creating a multiboot USB with Ventoy so you can test multiple distros in live mode before committing.
Exactly! Test driving several distros helps find the best fit for you. Mint has great customizability too.
I started with SteamOS too, but I switched to Mint because it has more resources and support. If you don’t like Cinnamon, there’s always Kubuntu to try out!