When you decide to try Linux, you hit the first question: which distribution to choose? There are literally hundreds of them and it can put a beginner off. The good news is that for most people it is enough to pick from a handful of proven ones and happily ignore the rest.

What a distribution is, in plain words

Linux is the foundation (the system kernel), and around it different teams have built their own complete systems: with their own look, preinstalled programs and way of installing updates. These ready-made bundles are called distributions. Simply put, it is like different car brands built on a similar base, differing in equipment and in who they suit.

The choice matters less than it seems

An important thing up front: with all common distributions you do the same things (browser, office, email, videos). The differences are mainly in the look, default programs and the way updates work. So do not stress about the perfect choice. It matters more to actually start.

For a beginner: Linux Mint or Ubuntu

If you are coming from Windows and want a quiet life, choose the proven ones:

  • Linux Mint looks and feels very much like Windows. It is stable, simple and friendly to beginners. For most people it is the best first choice.
  • Ubuntu is the best-known distribution with a huge community. When you search for something online, you will almost always find a guide for Ubuntu.
  • Zorin OS is also a nice choice, designed to make the switch from Windows as smooth as possible.

For old and weak PCs

If you are reviving an older computer, reach for lighter distributions that use less memory: Linux Mint in the XFCE edition, Lubuntu or MX Linux. They turn a slow machine into a brisk computer for everyday work. We write more about this in the article Revive an old computer with Linux.

For more advanced users

If you want the newest program versions or like tinkering, there are Fedora, Debian and Arch Linux. They are excellent, but require more experience and patience. For an ordinary user they are not the first choice.

LTS versus rolling: how often the system changes

  • LTS (a stable version) changes little and receives updates for a long time. It is a calm choice where nothing unexpectedly stops working.
  • Rolling (continuous) brings new things right away, but sometimes at the cost of small unexpected changes.

For everyday use we recommend a stable LTS version.

The best way is to try it without risk

You can try most distributions from a USB stick before installing, straight from the computer and without touching Windows. That way you find out whether the look and feel suit you. Before the actual install, always back up your data.

Not sure what to pick, or want Linux installed without the hassle? Get in touch, we will advise based on what you use the computer for, and for an older machine we can revive it or recycle it responsibly.