this post was submitted on 13 Sep 2025

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Choosing a distro for a technophobe's computer (aussie.zone)

submitted 3 days ago by mycatsays@aussie.zone to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I'm looking for recommendations.

I have run Linux on my own computers off and on for the last 10 years. I'm not an advanced user, but I'm comfortable enough playing around with different distros and settings to find a good fit for myself and my own devices, and problem-solve as needed.

But now with the end of Windows 10 looming, I need to upgrade a family member's computer to Linux. This device is only used by people whose attitude toward computers is "if it doesn't just work, it's too hard and I can't engage". So this needs to be something that both is not going to break on its own (e.g. while doing automatic updates) and also won't be accidentally broken by the users. As well as not being too steep of a learning curve for Windows users. (Their needs are uncomplicated - mostly just LibreOffice and Firefox, both of which they already use.)

Mint is often recommended for inexperienced Windows refugees. But I've had several things break in the process of getting Mint installed and updated on this machine. That wouldn't be an issue if it were my own computer, but it's not filling me with confidence that this is going to meet the ongoing "just works" requirement for this device. There's no way I'm going to be able to handle long-distance tech support if things break more than once in a blue moon.

Which other distros would you recommend for this use case?

Thanks in advance.

(page 2) 12 comments

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

Hannah Montana Linux

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[–] untorquer@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Windows 10 will still be usable after support ends. Security is the only concern, and not that big of one if you regularly back up. It may be a good idea dual boot with Linux on a separate drive while you hammer out the issues with whatever distro.

I personally think anything with plasma 6 will fit for interface coming from windows. Some sort of distro like Ubuntu or Debian that commonly has pre-packages in the wild would make sense.

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[–] EponymousBosh@awful.systems 2 points 3 days ago

Maybe SpiralLinux? It's basically just Debian with a few twealks, but the btrfs+Snapper might come in handy if/when you need to do tech support.

[–] koala@programming.dev 1 points 2 days ago

But now with the end of Windows 10 looming, I need to upgrade a family member’s computer to Linux.

Why?

Did they ask for Linux? Do you have authority over them?

So this needs to be something that both is not going to break on its own (e.g. while doing automatic updates) and also won’t be accidentally broken by the users. ... There’s no way I’m going to be able to handle long-distance tech support if things break more than once in a blue moon.

Issues appear. I would be more focused on setting up remote access than choosing a distro.

I'd choose something LTS that has been around for a while (Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL-derivatives, SuSE if there's a freely-available LTS, etc.).

If you are not against the use of Google products, ChromeOS devices are about the best well-designed low maintenance operating systems. (Not Flex, a ChromeOS device.) But you would be sacrificing Firefox and LibreOffice, which might not be an option. (And technically, it's running a Linux kernel, if I remember correctly.)

[–] db2@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

If Mint is misbehaving that badly on that hardware I'd be far more inclined to blame the hardware. What is it?

[–] flamingo_pinyata@sopuli.xyz 2 points 3 days ago (3 children)

The typical recommendation in this case is Debian.
I don't know how hard it is to install since I don't use it myself. There are a lot of people swearing by it's stability, even running it for 10+ years on the same hardware without a reinstall.

[–] Zelaf@sopuli.xyz 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

I've always found the installation process of Debian unintuitive for people not used to linux. But I could imagine that it's probably abreally good contender once the packages are installed and the DE setup with any necessary extensions for file browsers and other programs, for example preview of files in Nautilus for GNOME. Unsure if that is automatically installed or not in Debian but could be a good idea to check.

I'd suggest trying a test install in a VM if you can to check how well Debian will hold after configuration. Package updates for my Debian servers happens every once or so week and with a DEs GUI package manager it could simplify the process of the user actually hitting the update button.

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[–] ozymandias117@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The only thing to keep in mind is with Debian, you'll need to upgrade to the next release for them.

With something like Ubuntu, they can just click the upgrade box when there's a new major LTS release

Either one can be better depending on how you want to handle maintenance

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[–] Widdershins@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

Biebian

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

You didn't even declare the hardware specs..

Regardless, Mint...

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