I daily drove Linux for about 6 years and finally managed to convince some of my family members to try it!

However, I realized I don’t have a lot of ideas about beginner distros. I have some requirements that led me to some decisions, but there doesn’t seem to be a fit-all option:

  • Minimal maintenance -> Debian-based (stable release)
  • High compatibility -> Debian-based (.deb seems more convenient than say, AUR)
  • Familiarity -> KDE Plasma (looks like Windows, very customizable)

It’s for a Thinkpad X1. The main purpose is going to be academics.

All of that points to Kubuntu, but I worry about the Canonical Snap store stuff.

Everyone recommends Linux Mint for starters, but it doesn’t come with a KDE Plasma flavour. I know I can install it myself, but the integration is gonna be bad and they’re gonna bug me a lot.

I use Endeavour OS personally, so I’m somewhat familiar with Arch-based system. I guess .debs can be installed with debtap, but that feels like a whole another hacky solution. I have done university courses with my Endeavour OS laptop and I know quite a bit of software comes in .deb but not AUR.

What should I pick for them? And should I get more input from them? If so, what should I ask about?

  • CameronDev@programming.dev
    1·
    9 hours ago

    At the cost of a little disk space, you can install KDE,gnome,i3,etc, and they can try each.

    Is this user far away, and will they need support?

    • NorthWestWind@lemmy.zipOP
      2·
      8 hours ago

      I live with them, so I can always provide tech support, though I believe they possess the ability to problem-solve themselves too (if they try). I can try to get multiple DEs on it, but from my experience multiple DEs often pull in their own software and the application launcher starts to get overwhelming.