Easy-to-use Linux with best "support"?
Posted by ulfOptimism@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 31 comments
I have a Mac and I am not a nerdy coder.
What would be the best Linux for me in terms of ease of use and possibilities go find specific help when there are issues I need to solve? How much does it matter really if, for instance, I go for Mint or Pear or something else?
Whatever801@reddit
What is your reason for switching to Linux?
ulfOptimism@reddit (OP)
Prepare to leave behind any IT provided from an autocratic nazi country.
Whatever801@reddit
Are you planning to run this on your Mac? Is it apple silicon or an older one?
ulfOptimism@reddit (OP)
An odler one for the moment
Whatever801@reddit
Actually that makes it a bit easier. Not all Linux distros support ARM
YEEG4R@reddit
Linux Mint is the easy-to-use Linux with the best "support". It's the most popular, i.e. you can google a question about anything. It's Ubuntu/Debian-based, so you'll find any program you'd want for it. It's the most user-friendly. It has the best out-of-the-box configuration and experience. You can configure the interface to resemble MacOS if you want to (I have everything set up as if it were Elementary OS). The caveat is that it doesn't support Apple Silicon. You can only install Mint on PCs and Intel-based Macs.
Your secondary option would be a popular distro with the GNOME desktop environment. GNOME is the most MacOS-like desktop environment, and you can configure it even further with extensions. Fedora and Ubuntu are great options, and the ARM versions of these distros can be installed on Apple Silicon. I do not recommend Arch for Arch is NOT for Linux beginners.
Asahi Linux is a distro made specifically for Apple Silicon computers. 'Nuff said.
jiillii@reddit
More precisely if you mean "Linux Desktop". Linux Desktop today is easy-to-use. not just for nerds.
Personally I like Fedora KDE.
Fedora as OS: 1. Latest stable software and kernel. 2. I think DNF is better than APT as package manager 3. flatpak -- flathub works fine. 4. SELinux is advanced security. 5. Podman and Toolbx for sandbox. 6. There is an active community for how to install dGPU
But for now, I use Nobara. I know maybe it is maintained by 1 person godlike in linux. Damn, I love it 🥹🥹🥹 The reason is: 1. All above benefits. 2. Custom driver installer. I do click and accept 3. Easy OBS installer. 4. Advanced blender's build. 5. Makes me increase my knowledge : Game package like mangohud, gamescope, gamemode; The bloat list on kde; non-free packages for video and transcoding. 6. Perhaps Nobara packager gui is slow. but it is safe. Once updated, you can search, and see the sorted in gui. The good thing is you might notice necessary pakage you want like "plugins" or "addons". As well as on flatpak, you might know why only flathub by default.
KDE as Desktop Environment: 1. Not too resource hungry. 2. It have a lot of features. Especially, I love KDE Connect. 3. Fancy widget. 4. It fast, when you search for installed software. In Gnome likely tweening zoom-in and big icon appear. 5. In the file manager (dolphin) you can select a view like tree. so you can get directory or file(s) without opening subfolder. Easy create link (a dir or a file) via context menu (right click). so "ln -s" is not necessary. 6. KDE has security management like wallet, kgpg. 7. Autologin, Autostart 8. Fonts manager, theme, mouse theme, sound, and more.
I will probably stick with the kde desktop whatever the distro.
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depBlueStock@reddit
I usually use ubuntu but if you have a Mac maybe Fedora it's for you.
Pathrazer@reddit
Depends on what you want to do, but Elementary OS might be for you. Pop!_OS might work as well.
I picked those because they have paid engineers dedicated to serving their customers. I imagine the experience might be nice for a less technical user.
If I assumed too much about you, my general recommendation for almost every use case is Fedora.
LordAnchemis@reddit
One of the big distros
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora/RH, Atch
semarko@reddit
Arch isn't exactly easy-to-use, especially for a new-comer.
TristinMaysisHot@reddit
OpenSuse Tumbleweed is a nice stepping stone to Arch. It's pretty much a rolling release of Fedora.
TheRealEkimsnomlas@reddit
Manjaro is a stable rather than rolling distro based on Arch, I've found it to be pretty much plug and play on devices I've installed it on.
derangedtranssexual@reddit
Manjaro should never be recommended to anyone, it’s an unserious distro
Pathrazer@reddit
Manjaro is 100% rolling release it just lags behind the mainline Arch repos a a week or two.
__laughing__@reddit
If apple silicon mac (M1 or M2, M3/M4 isn't well supported), Asahi Fedora
If intel, mint,
Sensitive-Rock-7548@reddit
I'd use mint. Ubuntu, but better. Cinnamon DE is very good for new comer. Easy to theme too. Support is very good, as Ubuntu and Debian guides work mostly.
ulfOptimism@reddit (OP)
Debian edition?
Keely369@reddit
Desktop Environment.
OrangeKefir@reddit
Fedora. If you want to game then Fedora is fine and Bazzite is also a good option (it's Fedora based).
maltazar1@reddit
by far fedora
you can use arch wiki on non arch distros, Ubuntu is outdated to fuck
ulfOptimism@reddit (OP)
What is the effect for users if Ubuntu is outdated?
cgoldberg@reddit
Ubuntu is absolutely not outdated. They release every 6 months.
Paul-Anderson-Iowa@reddit
https://umatechnology.org/how-to-create-and-boot-from-a-linux-usb-drive-on-mac
Geburah999@reddit
My vote goes to EndeavourOS
Easy to install and the Forum is very helpful.
Since it is Arch-Based about 99% of the (very good) Arch-Wiki also applies.
Emu_commander@reddit
I would recommend mint, it's quite easy to use it and it has good community to ask for help
underdoeg@reddit
ubuntu. you may not stick with it but it is a good starting point. i would use the default with gnome if you come from a mac background.
Existing-Violinist44@reddit
You can apply pretty much all troubleshooting steps to all distros of the same family. So on all Ubuntu and Debian derivatives you can just take advantage of the extensive documentation and large user base of Ubuntu itself. Under the same family of distros you should also favor the ones with a large user base. So to answer your question, Mint is a no-brainer. PearOS might still be good but Mint is just the safest bet
Zeznon@reddit
Do you have a Apple Silicon Mac? Its6more complicated if so, as support for anything other than Mac OS is non-existent. Distri makers have to create everything manually.
cityroot@reddit
Ubuntu