Hey everyone! I'm looking to dive into the world of Linux and I'm a bit stuck on which distribution to start with. I considered trying Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) first, but I've decided to go with a virtual machine and eventually transition to running Linux natively. My main interests are in AI and data science, so I need something that's beginner-friendly but also capable enough for development work. Any recommendations would be hugely appreciated! Thanks in advance!
4 Answers
If you're leaning towards the professional track, don't shy away from Nixos. It has a steep learning curve but offers a lot of benefits down the road, especially if you're serious about development in a Linux environment.
Fedora is another solid option. Honestly, don’t stress too much about picking the perfect distro at first—most of them are flexible enough to help you learn the basics. Just stick to something straightforward to start with!
I'd recommend starting with Ubuntu. It's usually the easiest distro to install, and most things just work out of the box. Plus, once you get comfortable, you can experiment with other distros later on!
I actually found Fedora much easier to use, but that's just my two cents!
You might want to check out the comparison of different distros. Each has its support ethos and desktop environment. Ubuntu, Mint, and Pop!_OS are great for newcomers, while Fedora is known for a mix of stability and cutting-edge features. Remember, you can customize your desktop environment later!
I had great experiences with Fedora using the KDE desktop—they really complement each other.
I've heard Mint might be a better choice for beginners like OP.