“What Linux distro should I start with?”

OK, I'll say it. I noticed a couple of months back that I'd been using Linux Mint MATE for about 7 or 8 years, probably longer even. When you don't notice something, that means it hasn't been annoying you for attention.

Basically, it just works. It gives you the choice on installation to include the various codecs required in today's world. After that, it's just a question of adding various packages that you want to add into your setup.