this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2025
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Which distro for a non-technical windows user? (gehirneimer.de)
submitted 2 weeks ago by BentiGorlich@gehirneimer.de to c/linux@programming.dev
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Hi everyone, I am planning to install linux on my friends laptop and I am not sure which distro to install for them.

The options I am considering:

  • Fedora: I have it on my PC and since I will be the first person to be asked, I thought it would be best if I know the distro well
  • Mint: is a default suggestion, but I am not sure if it is different enough from the Windows look that one does not expect it to behave the same as Windows
  • Ubuntu: most widely available in forums, etc. And a good starting point in my opinion

What do you guys think?

EDIT: Thanks for all the suggestions, I think I'll stick with Fedora and let them try Gnome, KDE and Cinnamon :)

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[–] unknown1234_5@kbin.earth 0 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I'd reccomend fedora. mint and Ubuntu will be simpler but its like giving a toddler a wheelchair instead of teaching them to walk. the few things they'll have to learn are necessary anyway.

[–] gigachad@piefed.social 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

I think you are exaggerating a bit. I am an adult having Mint on my private computer. I am by no means an expert, but I don't need to be. I write my own shell scripts, I ssh around in my network, I navigate from the terminal, I install stuff, I set up services. Is Mint really a wheelchair for you because it is based in Ubuntu LTS? Maybe I don't understand enough about different Linux distros, but I don't see how a distro can be "too easy".

[–] Chais@sh.itjust.works 0 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

If you're writing scripts and even just using ssh you're already more technically inclined than probably 90-95% of Windows users.

[–] gigachad@piefed.social 1 points 2 weeks ago

Sure, I am a data scientist. I just dont understand the Mint-wheelchair metaphor.