this post was submitted on 10 Feb 2024
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Ubuntu's popularity often makes it the default choice for new Linux users. But there are tons of other Linux operating systems that deserve your attention. As such, I've highlighted some Ubuntu alternatives so you can choose based on your needs and requirements—because conformity is boring.

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[–] TronNerd82@lemmy.ml 15 points 7 months ago (2 children)

My personal recommendations for beginner distros:

-OpenSUSE

-Fedora

-EndeavourOS

-KDE Neon

-ElementaryOS

-Zorin OS

-Linux Mint

Or you could just install ordinary Debian, since it's stable and well-supported. Kind of a GOAT among distros, alongside Slackware.

[–] witx@lemmy.sdf.org 10 points 7 months ago (1 children)

imho Debian is far from beginner friendly. They will end up with a laptop without WiFi.

[–] YIj54yALOJxEsY20eU@lemm.ee 5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

I don't think this is still true, Debian 12 will install non free drivers ~~if you choose~~ by default. I had that issue on 11 though. I'm not sure how a graphical install works as of late but configuring sudo on a headless box is always tedious and would not be easy for a beginner to figure out.

[–] witx@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

If you choose

That's the key. A beginner will know very few things about that and giving him options will confuse them

[–] YIj54yALOJxEsY20eU@lemm.ee 3 points 7 months ago

Nonfree firmware is default in the Debian 12 installer.

[–] DarkDarkHouse@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 7 months ago

I don't use it personally, but I think there's a good case for Linux Mint (Debian Edition)