What is the Best Linux Distributions for Beginners?
In this tutorial, we will see the best Linux distro for beginners. This will help new Linux users to pick their first distribution.
Let’s face it, Linux can pose an overwhelming complexity to new users. Not knowing where to start can be a downer. Especially for someone who does not have the concept of something else running on their PC in place of Windows. While the world of Linux does offer tons of choice, it might get overwhelming at first. That’s why we’ve prepared this tutorial to help you select the best Linux distro to suit your needs. Some distros perform better at one kind of task, some are all-rounders, and so on. So, let’s get started and find the best fit for you:
Linux Mint
Linux Mint is one of the most popular Linux distributions around. It’s known to provide one of the most polished and complete desktop experiences to a beginner.
Linux Mint was created with a goal to provide an out-of-the-box experience to the newbies. Unlike many other Linux distros, you don’t need to install plugins, media codecs, components like Java, etc. Linux Mint is equally good on laptops and powerful desktops. Linux Mint is the best Linux distro for Windows users who are making a shift to the world of Linux.
You can download Linux Mint from the Linux Mint website.
Linux Mint comes in 3 different flavours, each featuring a different desktop environment.
| Cinnamon | The most modern, innovative and full-featured desktop |
| MATE | A more stable, and faster desktop |
| Xfce | The most lightweight and the most stable |
The most popular version of Linux Mint is the Cinnamon edition. Cinnamon is primarily developed for and by Linux Mint. It is slick, beautiful, and full of new features.
Cinnamon
Linux Mint is also involved in the development of MATE, a classic desktop environment which is the continuation of GNOME 2, Linux Mint’s default desktop between 2006 and 2011. Although it misses a few features and its development is slower than Cinnamon’s, MATE runs faster, uses less resources and is more stable than Cinnamon.
MATE
Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment. It doesn’t support as many features as Cinnamon or MATE, but it’s extremely stable and very light on resource usage.
Xfce
Although there are more features and better support in some editions than others, and some do run faster and use less resources than others, they’re all great alternatives and choosing the right edition is largely a matter of taste.
Other than their features and performance, Cinnamon, MATE and Xfce also represent three different desktop environments, with different menus, different panels and configuration tools. The right one for you is the one where you feel at home.
If you are unsure which desktop to choose start with the Cinnamon edition.
Zorin OS
Apart from Linux Mint, Zorin OS is another major player that has focused itself on user-friendliness and usability.
Zorin OS calls itself a replacement for Windows and macOS. It comes loaded with everything that one needs to complete daily tasks. With a Windows-like interface that’s built with beginners in mind, Zorin OS is easily the best Linux distro for Windows users. Its Windows 10-styled desktop is great at making things easier for a Windows lover. It also ships with a skinned version of Ubuntu Software that answers a beginner’s most software needs.
Elementary OS
Elementary OS has really come into its own. Unlike other distros, there are many interesting things about elementary. It’s intuitive, clean, and endearing.
This visually stunning desktop is often listed as one of the most beautiful Linux distributions around, but it’s a lot more than that. The creators of elementary OS call their OS a fast and open replacement for Windows and macOS.
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