this post was submitted on 17 Aug 2025
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So like it says in the title. I'm looking to make a change. The only coding I ever did was like, some very light HTML on stuff like LiveJournal 20 years ago (because I'm ancient in internet years, haha) and even that I barely remember.

I've seen people talk about LinuxMint in other comment sections and how that one might be closest to something like Windows (in that a layman like myself can use it out of the box like buying a new laptop from Best Buy or whatever store). Is that actually a good one or is there something better for somebody like me?

I've seen enough people go 'NO UBUNTU!!!!' to steer me away from that one, but otherwise I have no clue what would actually be good for somebody in my shoes.

I have a laptop that still technically runs Windows 8 that I just use for downloads so I'd be trying it on there so that if something goes wonky I'm not fucked. After looking at the LinuxMint website, the specs on that laptop meet the requirements for it.

Thanks so much!

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[–] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

What do you use the laptop for?

That's a huge factor.

[–] alecsargent@lemmy.zip 4 points 2 days ago

I responded this on an alt account:

The most important decision as a new Linux user is the desktop environment, the most similar desktop environment to the Windows desktop are KDE Plasma and Cinnamon. This means your best options are:

  • Linux Mint (Cinnamon): They are the creators of the Cinnamon desktop environment and will be the default on installation.
  • Kubuntu (KDE Plasma): This is Ubuntu's official KDE Plasma flavour, it comes with everything as usual just different desktop.
  • Fedora (KDE Edition): Same story as Ubuntu here, only that with Fedora's own packages and environment.

First I would check if the hardware is compatible (99% of the time is). Then I would check what software you need and/or want and check if it is available at these distros, and get familiar on how to install the software packages (either with their respective app stores or in the command line).

There is a lot to learn but with these distros you can just install, forget and simply keep using them for eternity.

The last and more important tip I have is to not to worry about the sea of options out there, you will not be missing anything huge by picking one or the other. Which is how most of new users feel (I did in my time).

Hope you have a great Linux journey mate!

[–] zeropointone@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I would recommend Mint over Ubuntu because of compatibility reasons.

[–] sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

In what ways is mint more compatible? I would expect them to be exactly the same since isn't mint based on Ubuntu?

[–] zeropointone@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Kind of. Mint is based on Ubuntu but both are also based on Debian. They're familiar but not the same. I had much more issues with hardware not working at all under Ubuntu, it also needs more resources as well.

[–] hanrahan@piefed.social 3 points 2 days ago

I use Mint (LMDE) on my laptop amd desktop. Dual booting is an issie if you use Windows and have the installs on the same drive. I went Mint only. (18onths now)

No issies with the isntall, there will be some apps you can't use, I ditched them amd changed to other apps but thats an issue with shitty vendors not with Linux itself

I use the command line very occasionally, 95% of everything can be done with the GUI

Mint's a good a place as any to start. Has a good support forum if you have hiccups. Understand this is new for you, so you'll need some effort.

I too have very limited coding ability and started with mint about a year ago myself. I think it's a good OS. The different nomenclature confused me in the beginning, but ChatGPT is pretty reliable troubleshooting issues and I met plenty very helpful people on here that offered to teach me. You will be fine. Just a tip: back up your important data or at least don't keep it on the same drive as your OS, because I broke mine in many, many curious ways when starting out, and had to reinstall a few times xD

I run immutable Fedora distros (Bluefin, Bazzite) and they are the most stable distros I've ever used. Immutable distros restrict writing to sensitive parts of the OS so you're less likely to break things. You'll mostly install Flatpaks which looks pretty similar to using the Windows app store.

I've seen some people say that immutable distros aren't good for beginners. I'm really not sure why. My best guess is because they're not the norm and you might run into support issues if things do go wrong.

If all of that sounds too scary then Linux Mint is a good choice. Never used PopOS myself but I hear that's a good starter OS too.

[–] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Yes. I main Mint in my laptop, and it's been my go-to for general purpose use (gaming included) for the past 10-15 years. On servers I prefer other distros, but Mint has consistently been the one that works best out of the box in a laptop desktop environment.

[–] irish_link@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Parroting the no need to code.

Follow the comments about trying a distro/type of Linux.

Something you may not know is what is called a live disc. You can run a type of Operating system without installing it. This lets you try it out without actually installing anything. However know that if you install a program to try out it will it safe when you reboot or shut down.

Please use this. NetBoot.xyz

It essentially lets you burn a cd that you boot from. This then lets you try out countless types of Linux before you install them. This way you don’t need to burn 20 discs or flash a new usb drive each time you want to try a different Linux.

[–] Artisian@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Try installing mint! Make sure you've cleared everything you want from the hard-drive before you start (and decide now if you're going to dual-boot. If so, clear up space so you can do the partitioning you want before you start the process.)

[–] JTskulk@lemmy.world -2 points 1 day ago

How did you use Windows without understanding coding? lol

[–] TrickDacy@lemmy.world -1 points 2 days ago
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