Linux OS for a new user

[bkdroid13]

Hello users,

This question may be offtopic here, but i need your kind suggestions. I am now going to reinstall an operating system in my computer.
I had Windows 10 earlier. Now I am thinking to use Linux. I have not used it before so I have a few doubts.

Will it be difficult to use and understand Linux?
Will Linux be faster than Winodows 10?

Thanks

[Pmalek]

Linux is a more secure OS and doesn't interfere with your privacy as much as Microsoft does. But an OS is as secure as the user operating it. Even the most secure OS won't do you much good if you are a careless person.

I can't give you any advice on how difficult it will be to switch to Linux but I have read posts where other users suggest to switch to Ubuntu or Linux Mint which are more suitable for beginners.

You can take a look at this list for Linux Distros for beginners.
https://itsfoss.com/best-linux-beginners/

This list will show you a couple of Windows look alike's so check that out as well.
https://itsfoss.com/windows-like-linux-distributions/

And yes this thread should be moved to the H&B board as it has nothing to do with Bitcoin.

[bondcoder]

I have Linux Ubuntu OS on my computer. It has many advantages. It is hard to catch virus on Ubuntu, Linux is open source project. It mean that developers believe in security of their OS ,because they show to people source code of  Linux.
Linux is more fast . First of them, I  install it on my computer. because it had a low speed of work on Windows 7. Ubuntu solved this problem.
Linux has a small size of programs relative to Windows. It is free, you can change all in this OS. It is full controlled by user.
Also Linux has built-in free tools  (for example archiver, ssh for connection with server from terminal, USB flash drive launch utility, etc,
It have not  unnecessary files and programs like Windows. Also it has a small size.  
It is post on my site, where I describe my first impression about Linux after launching.
https://bondcoder.com/2018/11/03/ubuntu-18-first-experience/

[mk4]

Will it be difficult to use and understand Linux?

I mean, it completely depends on how tech-savvy you are. If you can comfortably use a Windows computer though, it probably won't be that difficult. Anyway, my pick of a distro would be Linux Mint or Ubuntu for beginners. If you have the time to spare, I suggest distro hopping at first, so you can pick a distro that best fits you.

Will Linux be faster than Winodows 10?

Not necessarily faster, as it depends on the kernels and your drivers and such, but most Linux distros normally uses significantly lower resources compared to Windows 10.

[LeGaulois]

Will it be difficult to use and understand Linux?

I mean, it completely depends on how tech-savvy you are. If you can comfortably use a Windows computer though, it probably won't be that difficult. Anyway, my pick of a distro would be Linux Mint or Ubuntu for beginners. If you have the time to spare, I suggest distro hopping at first, so you can pick a distro that best fits you.

Will Linux be faster than Winodows 10?

Not necessarily faster, as it depends on the kernels and your drivers and such, but most Linux distros normally uses significantly lower resources compared to Windows 10.

It's funny but I noticed some seniors are more comfortable with Linux than with Windows. For what they do with it, they find it easier to use, they have no problem to use a terminal and understand basics commands. And when talking about the desktop environments, Linux distros are a lot better than Microsoft (even with the major improvement with Win10)

Not difficult to make something using fewer resources than Win 10. I used Ubuntu using less than 100 Mb with Openbox 

[dothebeats]

Linux is miles ahead better in security and privacy, that is if you know what you're actually doing and not just installing things and executing random commands you see on the internet. It also is less-resource hungry compared to Windows, so you're sure that your hardware would run pretty much fine and always at optimum and efficient condition depending on the activity. Put it this way, Linux distros are pretty much different flavors of Linux, suitable to each user's taste. Now it's up to you on how would you build your OS up and how would you like it to run, whereas Windows 10 is a pre-made OS with the 'essentials' that you need though there are some features that a user doesn't really need but they still placed it there anyway, causing those to hog up on your resources.

As for distros, I use Ubuntu most of the time, though Arch and Fedora caught my attention for a while as well.

[joniboini]

As one of those who 'converted' from Windows to Linux, I can say it's great and not that hard to adapt to. I use Ubuntu at the beginning, switch to Arch, Mint, Manjaro and many other variants and while not all of them work the same way, you'll easily get familiar with it (except for Arch, maybe).

There are tons of guide about Linux, I don't think you'll find it troublesome. Some software might not be the same as Windows, however, that's not a dealbreaker. You'll get used to it in a few days or weeks. It's definitely worth it to use Linux as your OS as long as you're fine with not having that many games to play with.

[Ken_terrance]

I'm very familiar with Linux OS and I can say its way better than windows OS and more reliable in security aspect I mean ,Linux OS setup is always lighter and faster ,I use Linux Mint its better for newbies that have no experience with Linux at all, very easy to understand and use ,its full of tutors and nicer interface

[mk4]

As one of those who 'converted' from Windows to Linux, I can say it's great and not that hard to adapt to.

Wasn't that difficult for me either, but it really depends on OP. I personally had a friend that tried Linux(Ubuntu), that reinstalled Windows 10 a day later just because there are stuff that doesn't work right out of the box(e.g. bluetooth for his Apple Airpods), requiring him to follow multiple guides on installing some dependencies and drivers.This can be quite stressful if you don't have that much free time and especially if you're not that much of a techie.

you'll easily get familiar with it (except for Arch, maybe).

Tried Arch a year ago. I'm really not planning on using it again for a while...

[TheBeardedBaby]

If you want to try Linux (CLI experience only) you can do it directly in Windows 10 without making boot discs, reinstalling etc..
You just need to active the Windows Subsystem for Linux and then download the distro you like from the Windows store / i think there were few available > Ubuntu/Suse and some others.)

[mk4]

Oh yea, and just to add OP: Just so if you don't know, you can try out your preferred Linux distribution through a virtual machine using VirtualBox[1]. Just so you wouldn't have to reinstall your OS back to Windows 10 if you didn't like Linux for some reason, instead, you can simply erase the VM and continue on with your life using Windows.

Here's a decent guide: https://itsfoss.com/install-linux-in-virtualbox/

[1] https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads