A big advantage of Linux is its flexibility. There is a distribution for everyone. No matter if you are a newbie or an expert.
Today, we will go around distros for beginners. That means, easy to use, those with enough built-in drivers for people without so much experience, looking for out-of-the-box solutions.
Linux Mint
Built on Ubuntu’s framework, it got its own attractive advantages.
By default, Mint has an intuitive, clean, and low memory usage desktop environment (Cinnamon). Memory consumption will depend on the apps you run, but originally, it consumes less memory. Mint offers automatic options to fix common issues in a few steps. Customizing is easy, and you don’t need extra tools to set themes or widgets up. You can do it directly from the settings.
To update, backup, and restore on this Linux distro is easy. Practically with a click, you can keep your system up to date and running smoothly. It gives you 5-year-system updates. Mint has a vast community always willing to help!
Suggesting you take a look at the comparison of Linux Mint vs. Linux Ubuntu.
Elementary OS
Nice design and simplicity are keys to this Linux distro for beginners. Another Ubuntu’s derivative. Its look and feel resemble macOS, thanks to Its custom desktop environment, “Pantheon”.
Updates show up frequently, and they are easy to install (without extra permission). The included apps work very well, and they keep your privacy safe. It has a feature that allows you to set limits for users (yourself included) about websites, apps, and the time the device can be used. You have a lot of available packages, unlimited, compatible third-party apps, and a very supportive community. It takes more memory than Mint, but still, it works well on hardware with limited resources. Advanced users point out that it’s not very configurable, but it’s really ok for beginners.
Android x86
Android is a mobile operating system, internationally popular, and the Android x86 version works on computers. Android x86 is simple to navigate (friendly taskbar). You can choose to have a desktop system or a touch interface.
It offers you a basic collection of apps, but you can grab any app from Google Play (included by default). It works on more devices than other choices of Android for PC. Its community is smaller than Ubuntu’s or Mint’s.
So basic? Well, it’s easy to use distro for those members of the family that are not so involved with tech, besides the mobile.
Chrome OS
If you find a web browser easy to use, this Linux distro could suit you. It simplifies many tasks for users. If you have a Google account, to set Chrome OS is really simple. You just need to log in to have access to all your files and preferences through Google drive. It has built-in drivers, data encryption, virus protection, and multiple-user support. It supports touchscreens, and it features auto-updates in the background. It works with web apps, and this is a limitation for heavy Linux users. However, users looking for simplicity, out of the box resources can like this distro.
Manjaro
Built on the Arch bases, Manjaro has a simple graphical installer, already installed essential apps (word processor, email, web browser, etc.), and different desktop environments.
It includes a one-click driver to install, update, or remove through its software app. There is Wine software for using Windows app on Linux. It is not 100% good, but it works with most of the apps. You also have multiple-user support on the same computer.
Manjaro releases stable updates. It could be slower than Arch, but you can be sure that your system won’t crash after an update.
Conclusion
The best choice is the one that suits the personal needs of every user. But these options are definitely a good starting point for beginners who wants a Linux distro. Environment, packages, and all the defaults they include, really mean less effort and confusion for users.
