this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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everybody recommending mint skipped over the fact that this is a convertible, i.e. has touch. mint/cinnamon/mate isn't terribly optimized in that regard and is rocking X11, a headache a beginner doesn't need nowadays. mint is a phenomenal choice for older laptops, but not this one.
with a heavy heart, I'm recommending Ubuntu. it runs Gnome, which is a way more modern DE, runs on Wayland so has solid gestures and touch support, and lastly, it is very beginner friendly. you'll be able to sort out any potential issue as that's the most widely used distro and has solutions and tutorials for practically everything.
once you've crossed over and gain some experience, you'll inevitably start banging your head on the ceiling (snaps and such). by then you'll have enough experience and knowledge to move to something better.
honestly Ubuntu is getting too much shit by the Linux forum dwellers. it works great, is newbie friendly, and a lot of very specialized industry software, if they support any Linux whatsoever, it's gonna be Ubuntu. I've started out with Ubuntu and if it wasn't for them, i might not have sticked to it long enough to make it to arch by now
The KDE spin of Fedora could be a good option if you want to avoid Canonical. KDE is also Wayland, though probably less touchscreen oriented than GNOME (which you can install on Fedora obviously, but a requirement to install a DE is not the most noob-friendly)
I'm gonna disagree on both counts.
I run fedora on my desktop and a bunch of laptops and have done so for years; I would never recommend it to a beginner, or even do the install and all the laborious post-install steps and then hand it over.
Plasma is closer to a standard desktop paradigm, but it has its stupid choices that aren't welcome on a laptop - FOUR finger gestures, really? why?! also, it's way too configurable so it's super-easy to fuck up something without an easy way to reset it.
so, both the options you mentioned are natural progressions for an intermediate user, someone who started with an easy option like Ubuntu + Gnome, and then progressed because they don't need the kiddie wheels no more; but not as first distro.
This comment has got me in a spin. Isn't GNOME the standard DE of fedora workstation?