"What Linux distro should I start with?"
It really doesn’t matter.
Beginners often make choosing their first Linux distribution a bigger deal than it needs to be. This is mainly due to the overwhelming number of options available.
A Linux distribution is a collection of packaged software. Two key parts are the desktop environment (DE), which provides the graphical interface, and the package manager, which installs, removes, and updates software.
Many Linux users recommend choosing a distribution first, but I disagree. Choose a DE first because it shapes most of your daily interaction with the computer. Several good options exist, and the choice mostly comes down to personal preference.
Choosing a Desktop Environment
For beginners, I recommend one of these DEs. Search for its name followed by “desktop environment” to see how it looks and works by default:
KDE Plasma, GNOME, and Cinnamon offer more built-in features, while Xfce, MATE, and LXQt use fewer system resources. All are actively maintained and stable.
Tips for Choosing a Desktop Environment
1. Don’t stress about it
Don’t spend too long choosing. You can customize most DEs after installation or switch to another one later.
2. Try them out
Most Linux distributions let you try a DE before installation. Use a live USB or virtual machine to compare them.
3. Consider your system specs
- For old hardware, I recommend Xfce or LXQt. They use few system resources.
- If you’re running newer hardware, most DEs will work just fine. Almost all DEs run better than Windows, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.
4. Consider your use case
- If you’re on a laptop and want fantastic gesture support, I would recommend GNOME (although a lot of other DEs are good enough these days).
5. Don’t choose a DE just because it’s new
- If you are new to Linux, choose one of the established DEs above. They are stable and have broad community support.
After choosing a DE, you can choose a distro that uses that DE.
Choosing a Distro
There are three main types of Linux distros:
- Debian-based distros: These are known for their stability and reliability. Examples include Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, Zorin OS, and elementary OS.
- Arch-based distros: These tend to provide newer software. Examples include Artix, Manjaro, and EndeavourOS.
- Red Hat-based distros: These often balance stability with current software. Examples include Fedora, CentOS, Nobara, Ultramarine, RisiOS, and RHEL.
Tips for Choosing a Linux Distro
- Consider using the same distro as your friends so you can help one another.
- Just like when it comes to your desktop environment, choose a well-known and established distro. They have more support and are usually more trustworthy.
The two distros that I feel confident recommending to most people are:
Fedora (Red Hat-based)
- This is the distribution that I use and recommend to everyone. It’s stable, reliable, and easy to use, with many customization options.
- Supported DEs: GNOME (official) and KDE Plasma, Xfce, MATE, Cinnamon, LXQt, LXDE (spins) and others.
Linux Mint (Ubuntu/Debian-based)
- This is the distribution that I recommend to people who are new to Linux and want a stable experience with very few problems. It’s also easy to use and highly customizable. If you’re thinking of choosing the Cinnamon desktop environment, this is the perfect distribution for you, as it’s made by the same developers.
- Supported DEs: Cinnamon (main), MATE, Xfce.
If you’re still unsure, try a distro in a virtual machine or from a live USB before installing it on your main computer.
You can also change most parts of a distro after installation.
So just pick one.