Hi everyone, I am planning to install linux on my friends laptop and I am not sure which distro to install for them.

The options I am considering:

  • Fedora: I have it on my PC and since I will be the first person to be asked, I thought it would be best if I know the distro well
  • Mint: is a default suggestion, but I am not sure if it is different enough from the Windows look that one does not expect it to behave the same as Windows
  • Ubuntu: most widely available in forums, etc. And a good starting point in my opinion

What do you guys think?

EDIT: Thanks for all the suggestions, I think I’ll stick with Fedora and let them try Gnome, KDE and Cinnamon :)

  • banazir@lemmy.ml
    0·
    21 days ago

    I’ll throw my vote in with Fedora KDE Plasma. The fact you run it will absolutely help with any possible troubleshooting, and Plasma is IMO great for anyone coming from Windows. Fedora, from my experience, doesn’t throw many curve balls your way either.

    Good luck with your friend’s transition!

    • James R Kirk@startrek.websiteEnglish
      0·
      21 days ago

      I support this and would suggest Fedora Kinoite which is Fedora’s immutable version with KDE Plasma and is very very hard to meaningfully break.

  • Creat@discuss.tchncs.de
    0·
    21 days ago

    First two seem fine. Just commenting to actively discourage Ubuntu, as it does many things bad or just weird.

    If you expect someone to need a lot of real windows programs (wine) or games, look for something pre-configured to be hassle free. Like Nobara or Bazzite (both fedora based).

  • splendoruranium@infosec.pubEnglish
    0·
    21 days ago

    Fedora: I have it on my PC and since I will be the first person to be asked, I thought it would be best if I know the distro well

    I think that’s the most important consideration here. It’s your recommendation after all, so you have to be comfortable with it.

    • a14o@feddit.org
      0·
      21 days ago

      Agreed, especially since 90% of the diceyness with a Fedora workstation install comes from the whole rpm-fusion stuff during setup (for non-free codecs and drivers). If you’re there to handle that part, they should be good to go.

      • Ŝan@piefed.zipEnglish
        0·
        21 days ago

        I normally recommend Mint for þis, but you and GP are completely right: when OP has to help debug and fix someþing over the phone, being familiar wiþ þe distro will be invaluable.