Hey I’m cell and my bf of nearly 2 years asked me to switch to Linux because it’s “obv way better then windows” (his words xd) and until now I always said no. I didn’t wanna learn how to navigate through a new distro all over again. I gave it some thought and decided to make it his “Christmas” present that I’m installing Linux on my laptop :3 if any of you can give me advice on what type of Linux, like arch, I should install and what I should be aware of would really help!
Use Ventoy to put a few different distros on a USB drive. Boot them up and try them out! You just want something you vibe with. Most of the suggestions here will be fine.
Heyho, maybe give us some more info. Right now I would say watch a video that showcases Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Mint and Fedora.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bHNr1BWilH4&pp=ygUjdWJ1bnR1IHZzIHh1YnVudHUgdnMgbWludCB2cyBmZWRvcmE%3D (covers Ubuntu, Mint and Fedora)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sKEb83VRGcE&pp=ygURdWJ1bnR1IHZzIHh1YnVudHU%3D (Covers Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu and Kubuntu)
Very short videos but I am sure they help getting an intuition of what suits you best :)
Be aware that you can try them out via a boot usb without installing them to have a closer look before committing.
As to the choice between gnome and KDE (desktop environments): Gnome is gonna have more of a ‘macOS’ vibe, while KDE is more of a ‘Windows’ vibe.
Heyy sorry for my late response xd. I only use my laptop for school stuff but mostly for video editing. I read from a few other users that mint is probably the best option but I don’t know if the apps I use for my privat stuff are also available on Linux… but thanks for the help :3
No worries. While the distro matters and some distros have more support than others, whether your software runs on Linux will often be a distro-unrelated question. While some applications don’t run natively, many (not all) are executable through a compatibility layer like Wine (which sounds fancy, but comes with little additional effort for you).
Don’t be afraid to test a boot usb with liveboot (testing the OS without installing it) and see if you can make your software work - just don’t be discouraged if it lags a little as larger liveboots are not intended for larger software installations, I think.
If you don’t have specific application support needs, Debian based distros like Ubuntu/Mint (based on Ubuntu) are good for a first-timer. You won’t have all the GUI management stuff like you get in Windows. You may find Arch a bit more challenging.
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Okay guys a little update…my boyfriend found the post xD but I decided that I’m gonna do it with his help! But thank you all for helping me and giving me very helpful advice :P
Start with Mint, it’s the one that probably you’d be happier with if you’re a new user.
Id recommend mint cinnamon. If you have any problems installing it, try Zorin
I installed zorin onto my son’s computer. So far it’s been pretty great.
To answer around the question, I’d say the best way to give this gift is to work with them to get you set up! They might already have a favorite distro they want you to try, and working through it both together is a great way to spend time together.
Thats a really good idea :3 thank you! He said that Linux mint is good for new users so maybe I’m gonna do that with his help
For newcomers I would recommend something Luke Linux Mint. Iets stable and very userfriendly.
I’m the Pop_OS hype guy, so that’s what I’ll recommend. Other great options are ZorinOs and Mint, if you dislike using a new interface.
I’ll be the sacrificial lamb and say that contrary to what others suggest, do not use Mint. You want a distro that offers the KDE Plasma desktop. I strongly recommend starting with Bazzite if you primarily play games or Fedora KDE if you want more personal control. You could always start with Bazzite and switch to Fedora KDE later if you decide Bazzite is too restrictive.
I mostly use my laptop for school or video editing. But I’m gonna inform myself a bit more but if you say mint isn’t good for that kind of stuff then I will find something else :3 thank you though!
Video editing with open source software is still a bit rough on Linux, Kdenlive is there, but you will probably have a much better experience with Davinci Resolve. They have native linux support and most distros are well supported.
Mint should be fine for that. What I think this poster is encountering is that Mint does not always run well on the latest and greatest hardware. The Mint team favours a well tested and older base.
Bazzite and Fedora are a bit friendlier to newer hardware, but not quite as bleeding edge as Arch bases Distros.
Remember that starting with Mint and migrating to something else a year later is a normal and healthy Linux journey, as is staying on Mint for years.
Welcome to having choice! And in my opinion, being an kick ass partner
I think anyone who talks like this “linux is obv way better then windows” should just be brushed off. If he cant give you the actual reasons why you may WANT to switch then I dont think you should switch just as a present.
Fedora with KDE desktop and non foss repo’s enabled is a good. Do not start with Arch unless you enjoy troubleshooting and learning and repeating the same steps over and over.
He didn’t say it like that xd I can’t remember his exact words but he had a better explanation for it. He used Linux for like almost 2 years now I think.