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Best Linux distro in 2025 for non-experts

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Re: Best Linux distro in 2025 for non-experts

#21

Post by Doxin »

stop50 wrote: post #5
appleorchard46 wrote: post #2

Mint is one you'll often see recommended for older folks, for good reason. The Cinnamon desktop is simple and familiar to Windows users and it has good compatibility. The only real gotcha is being based on Debian (like Ubuntu), so packages will be somewhat out of date, but for browsing and printing and whatnot that's not really an issue. Anecdotally my experience with printing on Linux has actually been smoother than…

Printing on Linux is very nice. The bloatware that is usually unavoidable under windows does not exist.

I have yet to run into a printer that doesn't just magically work under linux. It's very impressive.

Re: Best Linux distro in 2025 for non-experts

#23

Post by h4ck_th3_pl4n3t »

Debian with KDE, Elementary, or PopOS.

These are very beginner friendly setups, I'd pick Debian for long term stability where you don't have to update much. I'd also recommend KDE/Plasma due to familarity with Windows UI, as it's much easier getting used to than GNOME.

Elementary has a MacOS look and feel, with nicely integrated default apps (in terms of UI design) so depending on taste I'd pick that. PopOS has a fairly nice integrated UI, too.

Re: Best Linux distro in 2025 for non-experts

#25

Post by LarryMade2 »

Doxin wrote: post #21
stop50 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Printing on Linux is very nice. The bloatware that is usually unavoidable under windows does not exist.

I have yet to run into a printer that doesn't just magically work under linux. It's very impressive.

> I have yet to run into a printer that doesn't just magically work under linux.

You haven't used a Canon IP-90 printer. :-)

Re: Best Linux distro in 2025 for non-experts

#26

Post by giantg2 »

hedora wrote: post #14
giantg2 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, so while I support trying out Linux, it might be less change/headache if they just reinstall Windows with the offline account. Depends on how well they think their parent can learn Linux.

Offline accounts are going away: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/new-windows-11-build...

That article says there are other workarounds.

Re: Best Linux distro in 2025 for non-experts

#28

Post by Doxin »

LarryMade2 wrote: post #25
Doxin wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have yet to run into a printer that doesn't just magically work under linux. It's very impressive.

> I have yet to run into a printer that doesn't just magically work under linux. You haven't used a Canon IP-90 printer. :-)

oh I'm sure they exist but it's to the point where if I need a printer I go to the store and buy a printer, without worrying about linux support whatsoever. In my experience printers have a better chance of working under linux than under windows.

Re: Best Linux distro in 2025 for non-experts

#29

Post by sandreas »

I'd suggest Mint or Fedora. Mint is more beginner friendly / windows-ish, Fedora is more modern and polished.

In general Linux user exp. is more about Desktop environments than Distribution. The "what's under the hood?" question is not important as long as YOU are responsible for the maintenance (installing apps, backups, updates, etc), so you could even go NixOS, Arch or Gentoo, if you'd like. I'd also recommend to add an invisible automated backup (syncthing or restic+hetzner storage box).

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