I’ve been a Linux user for years, but I know it’s not an operating system for everyone, despite the number of “you should switch to Linux” social media posts that exist. (Admittedly, the equal number of “don’t recommend or even mention Linux/open source software to me, nerd, or I’ll block you!” posts I’ve seen are pretty annoying.) Swapping out an operating system is a pretty major change for one’s computer, and it might not solve all of one’s problems (and/or possibly introduce new ones). Linux also doesn’t support some Windows/Mac-only software (outside of emulators) one might need, such as Photoshop or the desktop version of Microsoft Office.
That said, some people can benefit from giving Linux a try, especially if they aren’t reliant on proprietary software or big gamers. Linux is free; the more user-friendly distributions come with plenty of software preinstalled (LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, etc.); it can run on older computers (such as ones that won’t support Windows 11), extending their lifespans; and Linux is based on open standards and serving users, not stockholders, making it one way of avoiding AI garbage shoved into your operating system.
Below is my list of Linux distributions (or “distros”) I recommend for various purposes. Note I’m operating mainly on user-friendliness and mainstream needs, rather than ideological purity or a need for strong command-line skills. Thus, you won’t find Arch or Debian, though those two have fans.
For general purpose usage: Linux Mint
Linux Mint (with the Cinnmaon desktop) has been my Linux choice (until recently) for years. It’s also still my default Linux distro recommendation. Mint is based on Ubuntu, but fixes some of Ubuntu’s own flaws, making it more pleasant (and in some ways, even easier) to use. Techies will be pleased Mint offers Flatpak instead of Snap by default.
Overall, Mint’s easy to use, works well, and the Cinnamon desktop by default resembles the operating system most people are used to, Windows. That said, Mint is customizable, and also comes in versions with other desktops (MATE, Xfce, and Debian). Given its popularity, help is also easy to find online should problems arise.
If you want a Linux distro that “just works” and is pleasant to use, Mint is an excellent option.
For a MacOS-like desktop: Ubuntu, Pop!_OS, Fedora Workstation
If you’re looking for a MacOS-style user interface (or coming from a Mac), you might want to consider something based on the GNOME desktop.
Linux mainstay Ubuntu has long been a popular choice, though some of its popularity’s waned in recent years for a variety of reasons. For starters, there are many other user friendly Linux distros available, often using Ubuntu as a base. Ubuntu’s owner Canonical has also made some questionable choices. That said, Ubuntu is easy to use, and “just works.” There’s also plenty of official variants of Ubuntu available, running alternate desktops: Kubuntu (running the more Windows-like KDE), Xubuntu (running the lightweight Xfce), etc.
Pop!_OS is a newer distribution created by System 76, a company that also sells Linux preinstalled computers. It’s quite user-friendly, even if its name’s hard to type. Like Mint, it’s also based on Ubuntu. That said, Pop!_OS is currently undergoing a transition from GNOME to its own custom desktop, COSMIC, with no indication when that’ll be complete (though it’s in the alpha stage as of this writing). The version of Ubuntu Pop!_OS uses is also slightly older (Ubuntu 22.04).
Fedora Workstation is another longtime distro, though it’s not based on Debian (like Ubuntu) and is a bit more “techie” than the other distros on this list. Workstation offers a fairly plain version of GNOME, which might require installing GNOME Tweaks and GNOME Extensions to fully customize (such as getting minimize and maximize window buttons). Like Ubuntu, Fedora offers variants (or “spins” as it calls them) with different desktops.
I run Fedora on my laptop; the above image is a screenshot of my current desktop. I wanted something more Mac-like (with a dock) than my usual longtime choice, Mint. Said laptop (a Lenovo Ideapad Slim 3) is also proving finicky with Linux, due to: its rather new hardware; the installed WiFi components having iffy Linux support; and issues with sleep mode. Fedora is the only distro that I could get to run adequately.
For gamers: Pop!_OS, Nobara
I don’t play computer games, so this isn’t my biggest area of expertise. From what I’ve read and observed, however, Pop!_OS and Nobara (the latter a Fedora fork) both offer strong support for NVIDIA drivers and a few other gaming-friendly aspects. If using your computer to play games is important, you might consider these two distros.
For an older or less powerful computer: Xubuntu, Linux Mint (Xfce)
For older or lower-end computers you still want to keep in use, Xfce is a more lightweight desktop than GNOME, KDE, etc. Xubuntu (an official Ubuntu version based on Xfce) and Mint Xfce both offer plenty of features, while using fewer computer resources.
I used to use Xubuntu on a few older computers, and it worked well.
Photo by RealToughCandy.com (Pexels)
