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If you were to install Linux on a laptop for someone, what distro would you use? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 2 days ago by wuphysics87@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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My head tells me Linux Mint, but my heart says listen to your head. Why is this hard? 😂

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[–] somenonewho@feddit.org 6 points 1 day ago

I work in an environment with a lot of people that are not very technically skilled. We run Ubuntu (GNOME) in their Laptops.

If I install Linux for family members etc. I install Ubuntu.

My reasoning is:
Ubuntu/.deb based systems are very wifely supported. If you google "how do u do X on Linux" most likely an answer tailored to Ubuntu may come up. Which is however mostly important if the Users will be doing some stuff themselves.

Also, I believe Desktops make a huge difference because that's how people interact with their Computer. And in my opinion it's not super important what desktop you start people on, its important it stays cohesive. My parents PC's run MATE for that stability* (and for the "classic" usage scheme they learned back in the XP days) but even GNOME has a pretty stable usage paradigm these days ...

Tl;dr: My reccomendation always is Ubuntu with a Desktop that resembles what they are used to.

* though with the MATE project seeming less active these days I've been looking for an alternative with low switching friction