5 Linux Distros For Beginners

Summary

This video introduces five beginner-friendly Linux distributions for those seeking alternatives to Windows. Pop!_OS offers a familiar yet distinct experience with its Cosmic desktop environment. Linux Mint provides a Windows-like interface with Cinnamon, while SolydXK offers a modern design with rounded corners and accessibility features. Ubuntu, with its wide range of flavors, is still a solid choice for beginners and enterprises. Fedora, though seemingly advanced, is also beginner-friendly with its frequent updates and strong community support. The video encourages viewers to try out the distro that appeals to them the most.

Takeaways

• 🤖 Microsoft's constant updates and privacy concerns may prompt users to consider switching to Linux.
• 🐧 Linux offers a vast array of distributions, which can be overwhelming for beginners.
• 🌟 Pop!_OS is a user-friendly distribution with a familiar interface and the Cosmic desktop environment.
• 🛠️ Pop!_OS features global search, workspaces, and excellent Nvidia support out of the box.
• 🛍️ Software installation on Pop!_OS is straightforward via the built-in software manager.
• 🌱 Linux Mint provides a traditional Windows-like experience with the Cinnamon desktop environment.
• 🔧 Linux Mint is equipped with a suite of programs for office work and PDF viewing, along with customization options.
• 🎨 Sorin OS offers a modern design with rounded corners and accessibility features, balancing familiarity with innovation.
• 🔄 Ubuntu is a beginner-friendly and enterprise-ready distribution with a large community and multiple variants.
• 🔧 Fedora, while not always recommended for beginners, offers a default GNOME experience with frequent updates.
• 🔄 All mentioned distributions support a live environment for testing and can be installed alongside Windows.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video regarding Microsoft's updates?

The video discusses the frustration with Microsoft's constant updates that include unnecessary features and potential privacy concerns.

Why might someone consider switching to Linux?

People might consider switching to Linux due to issues with Windows updates, hardware compatibility, or the desire to experience a new and exciting operating system.

What is Pop!_OS and how does it differ from Windows?

Pop!_OS is a Linux distribution that offers a different look from Windows but maintains basic functionalities. It uses its own desktop environment called Cosmic, which is being reworked for improved user experience.

What is unique about the Cosmic desktop environment in Pop!_OS?

The Cosmic desktop environment in Pop!_OS features a global search functionality, tiling functionality for windows, and seamless workspace switching, which is more efficient than Windows' virtual desktops.

Why is Pop!_OS notable for its Nvidia support?

Pop!_OS is notable for its Nvidia support because it installs the necessary drivers plug-and-play, unlike other distributions that may rely on proprietary drivers.

How does the software installation process work on Pop!_OS and other Linux distributions mentioned?

Software can be installed via the inbuilt software manager, where users can search for the desired app and download it if available.

What is Linux Mint and how does it compare to Windows?

Linux Mint is a beginner-friendly Linux distribution that offers a familiar Windows-like experience with its Cinnamon desktop environment, making it easy for users to transition.

What are some additional features of Linux Mint that are not found in Windows?

Linux Mint includes features like hot corners for triggering actions, an overview of workspaces, and a theme browser for customization, which are not typically found in Windows.

What is Sorin OS and how does it differ from other Linux distributions?

Sorin OS is a Linux distribution with a modern design approach, offering a balance between the familiar Windows 10 design and a more efficient workspace approach. It also has better support for Windows apps out of the box.

Why might Ubuntu be recommended for beginners and enterprises?

Ubuntu is recommended for beginners and enterprises due to its close resemblance to Microsoft solutions, great hardware and software support, a large community, and the availability of different 'flavors' for different needs.

What is Fedora and how does it stand out among other Linux distributions?

Fedora is a Linux distribution that offers a default GNOME experience, great software support, and frequent updates. It is also the base for specialized distributions like Nobara and is known for being well-supported.

How can one try out a Linux distribution without installing it?

One can try out a Linux distribution using a live environment, which allows running the distribution off a USB stick or another medium without installing it.

What is the recommended tool for flashing Linux installation files?

The Fedora Media Writer is recommended for flashing Linux distribution installation files, as it can handle any Linux distro provided.

Outlines

00:00

🐧 Introduction to Linux for Beginners

The video script introduces viewers to five Linux distributions suitable for beginners who may be dissatisfied with Microsoft's Windows updates, privacy concerns, or the inability to run Windows 11 on older hardware. The first distribution highlighted is Pop!_OS, praised for its user-friendly interface resembling Windows, yet offering unique features such as the Cosmic desktop environment, global search functionality, and excellent Nvidia support. The script emphasizes the ease of software installation and customization options available in Pop!_OS.

05:01

🌿 Linux Distributions Overview and Recommendations

The script continues by discussing four additional Linux distributions: Linux Mint, which offers a familiar Windows-like experience with additional features like Hot Corners; Sorin OS, noted for its modern design and efficient workspace approach; Ubuntu, a widely recommended distribution with strong community support and various 'flavors'; and Fedora, which, despite not being the most beginner-friendly, offers frequent updates and robust software support. The video concludes by emphasizing that the best distribution is subjective and depends on personal preference, and encourages viewers to try the ones that interest them the most.

Keywords

💡Linux distributions

Linux distributions are different versions of the Linux operating system, tailored to various user preferences and needs. They are the core of the video's theme, which is to introduce beginners to various Linux options. The script mentions several distributions such as Pop!_OS, Linux Mint, Sorin OS, Ubuntu, and Fedora, each offering unique features and user experiences.

💡Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS is a specific Linux distribution known for its user-friendly interface and is mentioned as the first distribution in the script. It is based on Ubuntu and features a custom desktop environment called Cosmic, which provides functionalities similar to Windows, such as window snapping and workspace management.

💡Desktop environment

A desktop environment refers to the graphical interface and collection of tools that allow users to interact with the operating system. In the video, different distributions use various desktop environments like Cinnamon in Linux Mint, Cosmic in Pop!_OS, and GNOME in Sorin OS and Fedora, each offering distinct user experiences.

💡Windows 11

Windows 11 is a version of Microsoft's operating system, and the script mentions it in the context of dissatisfaction with Microsoft's updates and privacy concerns. It serves as a contrast to the Linux distributions presented in the video, which are suggested as alternatives for users seeking more control over their systems.

💡Hardware support

Hardware support refers to how well an operating system works with different types of hardware. The script emphasizes that distributions like Pop!_OS and Linux Mint offer great hardware support, including proprietary drivers for Nvidia graphics cards, making them more accessible to users with diverse hardware configurations.

💡Software manager

A software manager is a tool within a Linux distribution that allows users to easily install, update, and remove software. The script mentions that software on Pop!_OS and other distributions can be managed through an inbuilt software manager, simplifying the process of adding new applications to the system.

💡Customization

Customization in the context of the video refers to the ability to change the look and feel of the operating system to suit user preferences. The script highlights that distributions like Linux Mint and Sorin OS offer various customization options, such as taskbar styles, hot corners, and theme browsers, allowing users to personalize their desktop environments.

💡Ubuntu

Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions and is mentioned in the script as a good choice for beginners and enterprises. It is known for its strong community support and comes in various 'flavors' with different desktop environments. The script also notes that Ubuntu is the base for other distributions like Pop!_OS and Linux Mint.

💡Fedora

Fedora is another Linux distribution highlighted in the script, known for its cutting-edge software and frequent updates. It serves as the base for other specialized distributions and is recommended for users who want a pure GNOME experience with robust software support.

💡Live environment

A live environment is a mode where a Linux distribution can be run without installing it on the computer, typically from a USB stick. The script mentions that all the distributions discussed come with a live environment, allowing users to try them out before making a commitment to install.

💡Dual boot

Dual boot refers to the practice of installing two operating systems on a single computer, allowing users to choose which one to run at startup. The script suggests that users can install Linux alongside Windows to try it out, ensuring that they have the option to switch between the two.

Highlights

Microsoft's constant system updates with unnecessary features and privacy concerns may prompt users to consider switching to Linux.

Linux offers a vast array of distributions, which can be overwhelming for beginners.

Pop!_OS is a Linux distribution that resembles a casual Windows experience, offering basic functionalities with a unique look.

Pop!_OS features its own desktop environment called Cosmic, which is being completely reworked for enhanced functionality.

Cosmic includes a global search functionality for launching applications and finding settings, similar to macOS.

Pop!_OS has great tiling functionality for efficient window management and is known for its excellent Nvidia support.

Linux Mint provides a traditional Windows-like experience with its Cinnamon desktop environment.

Linux Mint is beginner-friendly with a suite of programs for office work, PDF viewing, and an easy-to-understand settings app.

Sorin OS offers a modern design with rounded corners and custom icons, balancing familiarity with Windows and a unique workspace approach.

Sorin OS comes with better support for Windows apps, redirecting users to necessary applications for compatibility.

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution that is close to Microsoft solutions, offering great hardware and software support.

Ubuntu has many variants or 'flavors', each with a different desktop environment, such as Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and Lubuntu.

Fedora is a Linux distribution that may not seem beginner-friendly but offers a default GNOME experience with frequent updates.

Fedora serves as the base for specialized Linux distributions like Nobara, which is gaming-oriented.

Choosing the best Linux distribution depends on personal preference and how well it fits the user's needs and workflow.

All mentioned Linux distributions come with a live environment, allowing users to run them from a USB stick or other media.

For those wanting to try Linux alongside Windows, Fedora Media Writer is recommended for flashing installation files.

Transcripts

are you sick of Microsoft constantly

updating your system with features that

you don't need and in some cases even

include massive privacy concerns maybe

you have a PC or laptop that isn't

approved to run Windows 11 even though

it technically could run it or you just

want to experience something new and

exciting if you're considering switching

to Linux then you're often smacked in

the face with its vast number of

variants and flavors so in today's video

I'm going to show you five Linux

distributions for absolute big beginners

the first one on our list is the Linux

distribution popos yeah the one that

line is nuked a couple of years back pop

OS is not your casual Windows Experience

but don't let that fool you while it

looks slightly different you can expect

all your basic functionalities like

snapping your windows being able to

quickly adjust your audio access your

network and Bluetooth devices as well as

launch apps via the imput Apple launcher

if you don't like its default looks then

you can change the taskbar style or the

placement of the topper tools in the

settings or through the guide that

automatically pops up after you first

log in no pun intended popos utilizes

its own desktop environment called

Cosmic which at the moment of making

this video is completely being reworked

from the ground up it features a global

search functionality which you can also

use to launch applications find certain

settings or similar like on Mac OS

interact with some applications like the

calculator and it's placing fast at that

you also get access to sever several

workspaces on Windows known as virtual

desktops which you can quickly switch

between a functionality that is very

suitable for single monitor setups like

a laptop screen and it just works way

more seamless than the windows

counterpart unlike many other Linux

desktop environments popos Cosmic also

has great tiling functionality meaning

that all of your open Windows get split

into certain areas which can then be

moved grouped together and so on popos

is also outstanding because of its very

good Nvidia support which unlike a MD or

Intel still rely on their own

proprietary driver which popos just

installs plug-in play if you choose the

right installation method if you have

more exotic Hardware then you can also

download their firmware in the settings

menu software on popos and also all the

other Linux distributions later on in

this video can be installed via the

inbuilt software manager you simply open

it search for the app you want and

download it if it's available couldn't

be simpler let's move on to a more

traditional Windows like experience

Linux Mint now as you can see by default

it looks kind of like Windows 10 but

reimagined in its own style with the

desktop environment cinnamon mint is the

go-to Linux distribution that you often

see being advertised online and for good

reason it comes with a small but good

Suite of programs suited for office work

viewing or editing PDFs and an easy to

understand Settings app which doesn't

overwhelm you its familiar taskbar the

overall feel of the desktop itself and

its settings makes for an easy

transition but it also packs a lot of

additional features that you won't find

on Windows for example hot Corners which

can trigger many different actions

including this overview which I really

like Linux Mint also comes with

different customization options which

you can further extend by an inbuilt

theme browser since drivers on Linux

work differently than they do on Windows

and usually come in the kernel Linux

Mint offers a more bleeding edge version

on the website so that your new and

beautiful graphics card can also work

properly pretty awesome stuff Sor noas a

more modern design approach with rounded

Corners custom icons and great

accessibility sorin o strives to be

simple by striking a balance between the

known and loved Windows 10 and Below

design philosophy and the more unusual

but very helpful workspace approach it

comes with a selection of different

customization templates for you to use

the screenshot and recording menu and

essentially everything you do feels very

efficient and smooth sorin o also comes

with better support for Windows apps out

of the box as it automatically redirects

you to the necessary application needed

to run them while you could install the

wine dependency on any Linux

distribution it's pretty awesome that on

this dis R you don't even have to look

it up since s OS is built on the desktop

environment gnome you can also create

custom rightclick templates to quickly

generate files that are already

formatted in the way that you want and

you you can also connect to it remotely

without much effort next on the list is

of course Ubuntu and while many in the

Linux Community don't recommend it

anymore due to some of canonical's past

choices one thing is still clear it's

still a great Linux distribution for

beginners but also Enterprises which are

looking to switch to Linux on Ubuntu you

are the closest to Microsoft Solutions

which is kind of a blessing but also a

curse but nonetheless it works you

install it have great hardware and

software support a big Community behind

it and it also comes in many different

variants called flavors that's right

Ubuntu is not just a typical gnome

experience as you might know it there is

also the KD plasma version called

kubuntu Ubuntu Bachi cinnamon the same

desk of environment like Linux Mint

unity and many more the default one is

being built on the latest and greatest

release of The Gnome T environment and

you get access to a very nice looking

overview in different workspaces a big

app menu with inbuilt directory support

and in my opinion pretty nice looking

icon theme it's also the base

distribution of popos Linux Min and SOS

by the way and last but not least there

is Fedora now Fedora might not seem like

a beginner's distribution at first and

in some sense that's true as it doesn't

come with all video codex for Hardware

acceleration on AMD anymore in practice

however if you don't have a laptop with

an inbuilt AMD GPU that drains your

power because of this then what you get

is a Linux distribution that comes with

a default gnome experience has great

software support out of the box and gets

updated very frequently Fedora also

serves as the base of some specialized

gaming oriented Linux distributions like

nobara and just like Ubuntu has a very

big Community behind it it's also the

distribution that I use on my Microsoft

Surface and my main gaming PC all right

then which want's the best well honestly

there isn't one poos and Linux Mint are

both very beginner friendly by offering

great Hardware support and their own

design philosophy sorin no is for you if

you like a traditional taskbar approach

and a modern and simplistic design

Ubuntu is the good old stuff that sure

has barked some controversies especially

around the software packaging format

they use but in the end none of this is

really a concern for you Fedora is the

one if you want the default test

environment experience while still being

updated and well supported however some

distributions that are based of it might

even be better if you use it for a

specialized use case in today's video

you have seen a couple of different

Linux distributions that each have their

own designs workflows and features but

which one you choose is entirely up to

you there is no best Linux distribution

since all that matters in the end is how

it feels and if you like it so go ahead

pick the one that you found the most

interesting and try it out all of the

mentioned Linux distributions today come

with a life environment meaning that you

can run them off the USB stick or

whatever other medium you use to install

it if you want to go a step further then

you can also install Linux side by side

to Windows but make sure that it detects

it before you format your whole drive if

you need a program to flash your

installation files then I recommend the

Fedora media writer which can Flash any

Linux distri you put into it and yeah

that's it five Linux distributions for

absolute beginners let me know down in

the comments which one you want to try

out if you've liked this video then

please make sure to show it with a like

and don't forget to subscribe to the

channel so you don't miss out on any

more Linux videos thank you so much for

watching and all that's left to say now

is good morning good afternoon or good

evening wherever you are I'll see you

around