Choosing your first Linux Distribution

What is a Linux Distribution?

A Linux Distribution (usually called distro for short), is a complete operating system consisting of the Linux kernel, GNU libraries/utilities, a package manager and the said distro’s choice of default software packages, window system and desktop environment.

Ubuntu, for most people not that familiar with the OS has become synonymous to Linux. In truth, Ubuntu is just one of the hundreds of Linux Distributions out there.

You can check out the major and most popular Linux distributions in Distrowatch  

Fedora, one of my favorite Linux Distros and my main OS (this is my actual desktop)

What is a Linux Desktop Environment?

Like the name suggests, Desktop Environments (DE) in Linux affect how the GUI side of the OS is actually shown.  Each Linux Distribution has its choice of default DE. Each DE in turn has a Window Manager giving it its own style when it comes to menus, windows, toolbars, icons, widgets and more.

Unlike Windows and Mac OS, Linux users have the choice of changing a Linux Distribution’s default Desktop Environment.

Below are the main (there are more) Desktop environments and their brief description

KDE

Has a modern desktop interface. Though resource heavy compared to the other DE’s, it is considered to be the most customizable desktop.

GNOME  

A bit minimalist compared to KDE. It now features a launcher similar to Mac’s launchpad. A good choice for touch enabled laptops / AIO’s.

XFCE  

A desktop environment that is light on resources with looks similar to Windows 7

LXDE 

Has low system and resource requirements which makes it a very good choice for older systems

Suggested Linux Distros for newbies:

So here are a few of my recommended Distributions if you are just starting out in Linux. I was able to test each of them (except most of the 'Buntus) during my first year in Linux (that my friends is called distro-hopping). They are easy to install, learn and don't require you to use the terminal often. Click on the Distribution's name and it will redirect you to their respective homepage.

Zorin OS - Features a Look Changer program to easily switch the desktop interface and make it look like Windows or Mac. The Core version uses KDE while their Lite version (for old computers) uses LXDE

Elementary OS - Their home-brewed desktop (Pantheon) closely resembles OS/X, making Elementary a very good choice for users that are coming from Mac OS/X

Linux Mint - Their flagship desktop environments - Cinnamon and Mate, are really easy to use (I can say easier than Ubuntu). Linux Mint is a very good replacement for Windows 7. Just make sure you download either the Mate or the Cinnamon version of their installer. 

LXLE and Peppermint OS - Both use the LXDE desktop environment which has low system requirements. A very good choice for old PC’s and netbooks or if you just want a blazing fast system. Perfect replacement for Windows XP.

The Ubuntu Family - Ubuntu's flagship edition uses the Unity desktop environment but they have the other main DE’s covered as well. They have Ubuntu GNOME, Kubuntu (KDE), Xubuntu (XFCE) and Lubuntu (LXDE). Though I am not a big fan of Ubuntu (I prefer Mint), The OS should pretty much work out of the box and it makes installing proprietary video drivers (Nvidia/ATI-AMD) a breeze.

So there you have it! There are many more beginner-friendly Distros out there but I haven’t tried them personally (Deepin looks so cool!). This is where our dear friend Mr. G comes in, if ever you want to know more about Linux Distributions :p

Just remember that in the Linux world, there is no single Distribution that pleases everybody. It’s all about choice!