I'm trying to figure out the best Linux distribution for my ThinkPad L390 with 8GB of RAM and an i5 processor. I've used Ubuntu on my desktop in the past and had a pretty good experience, but I found Mint gave me some trouble on older laptops and an iMac. I really appreciate the MacBook-style icons and smooth transitions, but I prefer the file management system in Windows since I'm not a fan of macOS's organizing style.
I'm considering several options like Bunsenlabs, Fedora, and of course, back to Ubuntu. My laptop is mainly used for streaming football, YouTube, watching downloaded films, word processing, and browsing—nothing too heavy on CPU or RAM. I've also come across a post about Debian 12 with the MATE desktop that seems interesting. I'll be asking my cousin to help me create a live USB, so I can try whatever distro he sets up when I visit my aunt. Any advice on which Linux version would work best for me?
3 Answers
For what you plan to do with your laptop, any of these options should work fine, but if aesthetics matter a lot to you, maybe look into some custom themes for any distro you choose. And hey, experimenting with live USBs is a great way to find out what suits you best! Good luck!
I would recommend trying out Debian Bookworm with MATE, as it’s known for being lightweight and efficient, which sounds perfect for your needs. Plus, since you're familiar with Ubuntu, transitioning to Debian shouldn't be too tough. Just make sure to give live USB mode a test run first!
Your ThinkPad L390 should handle just about any Linux distro you throw at it! I'd suggest going with what you find visually appealing and comfortable to use. Since you've enjoyed Ubuntu before, it might be a safe bet to start there again, especially if you're looking for something user-friendly. If you're leaning towards Debian's MATE, that could be a solid choice too! Just remember, whatever you choose, you can always switch later if it's not working for you.
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