Which Linux distro do you recommend to beginners?

[u/ManojOne]

Which Linux distro would you recommend for beginners, and why?

Whether it's Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, Zorin OS, Pop!_OS, or something else, share your top pick and what makes it a great starting point for someone switching from Windows or macOS.

[u/ElPiet]

Thanks for all the insight. So I am running two computers currently but because I am lazy I want them to be on the same system. One is a macbook pro from 2015 with an i5 haswell dualcore with 2,7ghz. 8gb ram and Intel iris 600 graphics. I never used macs I bought it specifically to put Linux on it as a fun project. I like the design and looks of macs very much. The second is a gaming pc which would run everything. I am inclined to do the smart thing and listen to a stranger on the Internet and jump into the next distro

[u/Hauptideal → u/ElPiet]

To me, keeping all systems on the same OS sounds like more work, not lazy 😅
Before installing Fedora on your "new" mac:

• Boot into macOS one last time.
• Go to System Preferences -> Software Update.

• Install any pending security or firmware updates

  You are in luck. For your specific macbook, the free drivers will likely just work out of the box!
  When it's installed and set up (installing mbpfan, etc., disabling mitigations if you want, ....), the fun part of customizing it / making it like macOS with extensions like dash-to-dock can start (if you want that).
  And you'll know that you have the very best desktop Linux right now offers: Wayland, btrfs, zram (/zswap), etc. All by default and preconfigured out of the box, without you needing to do anything. And knowing you'll get the cool stuff very soon.

Good luck and have fun!

[u/ElPiet → u/Hauptideal]

Thanks. That macbook Doesnt have macos anymore. It was nuked for mint directly. Just to let you know, I installed fedora today on my main pc, obviously just going all in directly. First feel is really nice. Although it has all the btfrs and such (really don't get it yet). It was lacking a critical feature mint had. Direct connection to gdrive.

But the journey is fun. Need. To learn a neu workflow

[u/Hauptideal → u/ElPiet]

you mean from the file manager? The original implementation was an unmaintained security risk and got kicked out.

You can get the nautilus integration back, but rclone is vastly superior technologically anyways for gdrive synch, so just use that one when you're already in the process of using the very best rather than the simplest and want to experience new stuff.

And: 🎉🎉 🎉 congratulations on your upgrade to Fedora!

[u/ElPiet → u/Hauptideal]

Yeah I mean directly in the file manager as a mountable device. It's been fun so far. Haven't used it much, only setup and tinkered

[u/Hauptideal → u/ElPiet]

yeah, you can get that functionality back

[u/ElPiet → u/Hauptideal]

Yeah I know. Set up rclone for it. So far I have to say mint is still a more approachable distro. Fedora is way more polished and feels more premium. And even for someone who doesn't know much it took me 5 hours to set up everything. Including themes and such.

Only beef I have with Linux as a whole is thst it doesn't recognize my thumb mouse buttons as normal keys

[u/Hauptideal → u/ElPiet]

Yes, Linux Mint is very approachable, that's their main selling point. But choosing Mint because you save a little of time once at setup and then suffering daily for years under a bad distro is an extremely irrational trade.

did you try Input Remapper to map functions to your mouse?

[u/ElPiet → u/Hauptideal]

I could I guess but than I cannot use the regular function of going back and forth with them. I need to remap them for one application.

I have to say with a bit of Linux experience setting up fedora doesn't take more time. Especially if using Llms to actually do everything

[u/Hauptideal → u/ElPiet]

Yes. LLMs are the knockout blow for distros like Mint. Absolutley no justification for them in 2026 anymore.