I'm looking to switch from Windows to Linux because my old HP Spectre (2015 model) is struggling with performance after the latest update. I'm doing this to simplify my digital life, so I lean towards lighter features. I'm ready to dive into the daily driver experience with Linux, but after checking out the distro chooser, I'm overwhelmed by the choices. The options recommended include openSUSE, Devuan, Rocky, Knoppix, and many more.
My laptop will mainly be used for productivity tasks like web browsing, using a word processor and spreadsheets, and organizing files. I usually have multiple browser tabs open across Edge, Chrome, and Firefox for my different subjects. I prefer a MacOS-like GUI and don't need game support. Speed is crucial for me—I want to switch tasks quickly without distractions. I also intend to keep a small Windows partition for some specialized software, so I need a distro that allows for a small initial installation with room to expand later.
I have some Linux experience, using terminals for various tasks, and I've played around with Ubuntu, Kali, and Fedora. However, I really would prefer an option that doesn't require extensive reading of wikis or forums just to perform basic tasks.
2 Answers
For someone who prefers not to deal with guides, I'd recommend Linux Mint. It's stable, user-friendly, and works pretty well for what you need, though it won't look exactly like MacOS. But considering your background, you could really go with just about any distro you want and make it work! By the way, what are your laptop specs?
Mint should work perfectly for you then! Easy to use and definitely light on the system. Enjoy the journey!
Honestly, the best approach is to just try a few different distros until you find one that clicks with you. You can use a Virtual Machine or a Ventoy stick with LiveUSB images to test them out without full installs. Here are a couple of links to get you started:
- Debian: https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/
- Linux Mint: https://linuxmint.com/download.php
- Ventoy: https://www.ventoy.net/en/index.html
This way, you can explore and experiment without jumping into a complete installation right off the bat. Just burn it onto a USB, boot up, and see what you think!
I have a 2.2GHz Intel Core i5-5200U, 8GB DDR3 RAM, and I swapped in a larger SSD around 8 years ago. I'll probably just give Mint a go first since my needs are pretty basic—ease of use is my main priority, not so much the GUI.