Which Linux flavor?

[Shrek]

I have used the MacOS at the office, Windows 11 at home, and have used Linux decades ago.
Now I have some PCs that don't support Windows 11, so it makes sense to think about
running those on Linux. I have a Core 2 Quad with 16 GB DDR3 and a small SATA SSD.

Which flavor might be best if I want a Mac/Windows like experience and am not interested
in gaming?

• Linux Mint
• Ubuntu
• Debian
• Other?

I even tried installing Raspberry Pi Desktop, but that is just 32 bit and out of date.

I'm after ease of use and installation while Windows 11 will remain my main OS.

 

[Easy Rhino]

Linux Mint.

 

[hsew]

Manjaro

 

[R-T-B]

Honestly with something older like that, even Ubuntu would work fine. I'd say that or mint.

 

[Spacemarkl]

Have you tried some Live Systems? In the end it comes down, what desktop environment (Gnome, KDE) or Window manager (Xfce...) you find most usable and aesthetically pleasing. With a Core2Quad maybe something lightweight like Lubuntu might run better, though it still should be fine for Gnome or KDE.

 

[Shrek]

Manjaro-Cinnamon?

I find the variations confusing

• Mint
• Ubuntu
• Manjaro

and then the desktop

• KDE
• GNOME
• Cinnamon

on top of that I don't really want to be compiling so worry about Manjaro (I will run MikTeX)

 

[Solaris17]

Manjaro-Cinnamon?

I find the variations confusing

• Mint
• Ubuntu
• Manjaro

and then the desktop

• KDE
• GNOME
• Cinnamon

on top of that I don't really want to be compiling so worry about Manjaro (I will run MikTeX)

• Ubuntu
  • Mint
• Arch
  • Manjaro

You can think of Linux distros as having "parents" and "children". The above is watered down because Debian even supersedes ubuntu. I dont want to overload you. Just think of this like "Home vs Pro vs education" they each offer different usability experiences but that doesnt make one better then the other or mean they can’t do what the other does. Mint is based on Ubuntu, but if offers some things out of the box some people like. It doesnt make it better then Ubuntu, Newer then Ubuntu, or easier then Ubuntu. It simply caters to a specific user preference.

Desktops are exactly what they say. You can go really deep into whats what, and what they change etc, but for you, the normal user you can think of "Desktops" like windows "themes". Do you remember stardock? or Rainmeter? That is the perception difference it will make to you. Just go with the one you like dont let anyone get into an argument with you over it. Coming from windows you will need to get used to linux anyway, so might as well cater it to your visual preference.


Now thats out of the way I want to pitch the following. I will break it down skipping a lot of detail because I think linux users hurt the market by scaring away new people.

Dont worry so much about "Desktop" look for some screen shots or ask for some and pick the one you think is pretty.

As for the OS itself, a lot of people are bias and will pitch there own and argue points for days.

Here is the truth. They can all do everything, but generally, for a new user that wants to print documents, read email and watch youtube. Ubuntu and its children are a popular choice with new comers.

- No you dont need to use the terminal
- No you dont need to compile anything
- Yes you can use the software store

There is a lot of nuance, and this post is already too long (maybe I'll make a guide?) everyone here is going to flag for there favorite candy, but as a new comer.


Pick what is pretty.


I would offer my own preferences, but I didnt because I just want to tackle your post specifically.

Dont let yourself be burdened by choice. It will be too easy to feel overwhelmed and quit. You can become an expert that will defend a distro until you die, later. Right now you just need thunderbird installed.

 

[Shrek]

I hope to run Mathematica, but will this limit which flavor I can use?

 

[Solaris17]

I hope to run Mathematica; will this limit which flavor I can use?

No

 

[Shrek]

Dont let yourself be burdened by choice. It will be too easy to feel overwhelmed and quit.

I wonder how much this works against Linux.

 

[lambda]

Which flavor might be best if I want a Mac/Windows like experience and am not interested
in gaming?

MacOS is quite different from Windows. Are you referring to the ease of use?

If you want a better version of MacOS esque interface then opt for Ubuntu although your hardware is quite dated.

Linux Mint has the Windows vibe to it. Kubuntu or Lubuntu might be easier to run.

Other option is Zorin OS - https://zorin.com/os/

 

[Shrek]

I had no real problem switching from the Mac to Windows

The Core 2 Quad seems quite brisk when run from a solid-state drive.

Hadn't heard of Zorin before

Lots of things to try now that I have the time.


Have to say, TPU is most useful for advice.

 

[lambda]

I had no real problem switching from the Mac to Windows

The Core 2 Quad seems quite brisk when run from a solid-state drive.

Hadn't heard of Zorin before

Lots of things to try now that I have the time.

Take Zorin for a spin, you might like it. It's based off Ubuntu anyway and can be customized to look like MacOS should you wish to.

 

[Frick]

I wonder how much this works against Linux.

Hugely.

But yeah Mint is fine.

Here is the truth. They can all do everything, but generally, for a new user that wants to print documents, read email and watch youtube. Ubuntu and its children are a popular choice with new comers.

- No you dont need to use the terminal
- No you dont need to compile anything
- Yes you can use the software store

There is a lot of nuance, and this post is already too long (maybe I'll make a guide?) everyone here is going to flag for there favorite candy, but as a new comer.

I'm just gonna say that I have never in my life used Linux and have stuff just working the way they do on Windows, and if you want to get those things there will be compilations and terminals required. Add to this you might want to try something that doesn't exist in the software manager and that'll suck if you just want stuff to work. I will also say that the last time I used Linux for real was around 2020, things might have changed since then but I will also say that so many people have said exactly what you say for ... twenty years now?

 

[Shrek]

Take Zorin for a spin, you might like it. It's based off Ubuntu anyway and can be customized to look like MacOS should you wish to.

Zorin educational is over 7 GB, what is extra?

I'm just gonna say that I have never in my life used Linux and have stuff just working the way they do on Windows, and if you want to get those things there will be compilations and terminals required. Add to this you might want to try something that doesn't exist in the software manager and that'll suck if you just want stuff to work.

Good to know.

 

[Solaris17]

Hugely.

But yeah Mint is fine.


I'm just gonna say that I have never in my life used Linux and have stuff just working the way they do on Windows, and if you want to get those things there will be compilations and terminals required. Add to this you might want to try something that doesn't exist in the software manager and that'll suck if you just want stuff to work. I will also say that the last time I used Linux for real was around 2020, things might have changed since then but I will also say that so many people have said exactly what you say for ... twenty years now?

Sure but your splitting hairs to cause an argument.

As soon as you want to step off the road you better put your boots on. For a normal user or your grandma just like windows a vanilla experience works fine. It’s what you make it.

You want to FAFO installing some wack shit from GitHub? Bring the pain stick.

As soon as you try making Linux windows you’re going to have a bad time. Incidentally windows users do the same thing when they try to be as efficient as Linux. Disabling service after service until shit doesn’t work right.

People trashing OSs isn’t exclusive to Linux and has been happening to windows and Mac for just as long.

As an aside haven’t met a hackintosh user that has ever slept soundly.

 

[Frick]

Sure but your splitting hairs to cause an argument.

As soon as you want to step off the road you better put your boots on. For a normal user or your grandma just like windows a vanilla experience works fine. It’s what you make it.

You want to FAFO installing some wack shit from GitHub? Bring the pain stick.

For reference the things I've struggled most with is Sleep/hibernate on closing the laptop, and function keys on laptop keyboards.

As soon as you try making Linux windows you’re going to have a bad time.

This I agree with.

 

[Shrek]

I suspect there are two types of people

• The tool makers
• The tool users

The users just want the tool to work.

 

[anonuser57]

I say go with mint and don't worry about desktop environment. You can have every available DE for your distro installed at the same time at switch between them at the login screen.

 

[Shrek]

Ah, didn't know that; I'm learning a lot.

 

[Solaris17]

For reference the things I've struggled most with is Sleep/hibernate on closing the laptop, and function keys on laptop keyboards.



This I agree with.

Those are completely valid problems and I’m sorry you had to go through with them. My
Personal heart break is specifically USB WiFi adapters.

I’m by no means trying to be a dick to you I agree there can be issues I’m just saying conscious or subconscious bias can play a part.

To keep it semi on topic let’s take Shreks question about Mathematica.

His question was:

I hope to run Mathematica, but will this limit which flavor I can use?

The answer is no. But the right question might have been:

“How hard is it to run Mathematica?”

Because then the answer is:

“What does Mathematica say?”

Wolfram Support Quick Answers

Answers to common Wolfram products questions on installation, activation, purchasing, troubleshooting, upgrading.

support.wolfram.com

So, wolfram doesn’t deploy a package. They want you to use a terminal or script. Why? Chrome has a package, steam has a package. You can install chrome and steam from a script. You can even compile the source if you want. Why did Mathematica choose this user experience?

So now is this still a Linux problem?

Shrek will have to open a terminal and now I’m technically wrong. That’s because he wanted to use that software, and they chose a script even though other methods are available.

I don’t think that’s a Linux fault.

You can install it from a script with windows too. Mac has the App Store and a .dmg. Why are there methods glossed over?

The user chooses the battles.

I suspect there are two types of people

• The tool makers
• The tool users

The users just want to tool to work.

I don’t I actually can draw a diagram give me a moment

 

[cvaldes]

The segmentation caused by too many Linux distributions reduces the ease of finding competent assistance and guidance, especially if you are dabbling with a newer distro. Frankly you are probably best running Ubuntu because it is a popular distro that has been around for a long time.

Unsurprisingly Ubuntu is the first Linux distro listed on Wolfram's Mathematica system requirements page:

Mathematica 14.2 System Requirements and Platform Availability

Hardware specifications and system details for Mathematica. Available for the following platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

www.wolfram.com

Just be prepared to accept that your Linux system administration load will be much higher than anything you've experienced on Windows or Mac.

If Mathematica is the only thing you plan on using on this PC, well, Ubuntu Linux is probably an understandable choice. If you are planning on doing other things with this computer, choose wisely.

Enjoy.

(Disclaimer: I am a former UNIX/Linux system administrator.)

 

[Shrek]

It has been an education.

Linux seems like herding cats

 

[Solaris17]

Here you go.

IMO from years of doing this I have personally broken down issues iv seen and people I have met and the respective OSs into something like this.

Most of it is self explanatory, but I will elaborate a little. The purpose of the diagram is centered around expectation.

Each OS offers a core experience and has its own software like Chrome that can run on all of them. Simple right?

The issue comes from what I call "User Bias".

You have 3 you can pick 2.

Each person invested in there respective OSs core experience likes it. Things become complicated when you want something from the others.

Windows users might:

- Want the simplicity of mac
- Want the freedom of linux

-Dislike the complexity of linux
-Dislike the unmutable ecosystem of mac

Mac user might:

- Want the customizability of windows
- Want the software eco system of linux

- Hate the UI of windows
- Hate the dispersed eco system of linux

Linux users might:

- Want the compatibility of windows
- Want the simplicity of mac

- Hate the telemetry of windows
- Hate the restrictiveness of mac


Most problems I have seen, come from conscious or unconscious bias. When someone is used to something and then enter the inner circle, it is the will of the user and the complexity of the ask that determines the overall attitude of the ecosystem and the success of what they want to achieve.

some might give up because they simply dont like how thunderbird looks.

Some might not stop until they have compiled new kernel headers.

This thread is way off topic, and I certainly dont vehemently disagree with anything said, but I do think. The community at large and users themselves suffer from the diagram above, and things have never been as black and white as negative threads make them seem.

I strongly feel the experience is what you make it, and the difficulty should not be centered around the OS but shouldered by the user. YOU are deciding to step into a different core experience YOU need to decide if what YOU want is climbing Pikes peak or Everest.

Sorry for the text overlap idk how to use computers.

 

[Shrek]

A lot of people die trying to master Everest...

Pikes Peak isn't so far from where I'm at


I'm in a good situation as my main machine is Windows 11, so I can fall back on that.