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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[-] sbeak@sopuli.xyz 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Setup a Ventoy drive and let them try out a few. Linux Mint, Fedora Workstation (GNOME), and Fedora KDE/Kubuntu (KDE) are all good starting points to figure out what kind of DE they like. If they play a lot of games, Bazzite might also be a good option. GNOME, KDE, and Cinnamon are all very different from each other, and I’m sure that your friend will like at least one of them.

[-] BentiGorlich@gehirneimer.de 3 points 2 months ago

Not a lot of games, mostly Sims. I doubt that they are willing to test a lot of things 😅

[-] sbeak@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 months ago

I would still try to let them try out a few different options, see what they like and don’t like. At the very least, show them some pictures and basic rundown of the strengths and weaknesses of different DEs (e.g. GNOME is the most touch-optimised and is very “sleek” and “minimal”, KDE is extensively customisable…)

[-] k4ro@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

It might be worth also teaching your friend how to:

install games via Lutris (if they downloaded the Sims while sailing the high seas)
to change Proton/Wine versions (for compatibility, if they play older titles)
how to install libraries through Winetricks/Protontricks (again for older titles requiring abandoned libraries like playing .wmv files in-game)
how to mod the Sims and how to run .exe tools inaide Wine/Proton prefixes (such as Anadius' tool for Sims 4)

this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2025

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