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Which distro for a non-technical windows user? (gehirneimer.de)
submitted 2 months ago by BentiGorlich@gehirneimer.de to c/linux@programming.dev
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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 :)

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[-] splendoruranium@infosec.pub 27 points 2 months 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 7 points 2 months 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.

this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2025
47 points (98.0% liked)

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