Like the title says I want to install a Linux distro on my old laptop. I am currently looking into installing a SSD, but I want to learn a distro for fun! I haven’t been able to find a good current resource aside from the Linux Masters here, so I am actually asking for help on the Internet! What distro is the best!?
Are you just using this laptop to dip your toes into Linux and see if you like it? I would recommend Debian + XFCE. It’s lightweight, it prioritizes stability over new features, and it’s a fairly easy UI for a newbie to understand. Alternatively Linux Mint MATE Edition might be worth a try. It’s also lightweight but is a bit more “up to date” than Debian feature wise.
My wife is leaning toward Ubuntu “MATE”, how would you feel about that versus the Debian and you mentioned. Personally I was thinking about mint
Debian gets feature updates significantly slower than other distros, instead it focuses on insuring stability and security. It’s rock solid.
Linux Mint is actually based on Ubuntu (which itself is derived from Debian), so for the most part the two are fairly similar. There are a few key differences but for someone learning Linux you don’t need to worry about them. Pick one of them, get your feet wet, and then google the differences to see if you want to switch.
After all, endless Distro hopping is a right of passage for all fledgling Linux users! :)
Ubuntu Mate was my first distro and it helped me learn a lot, but I don’t really see a point in using Ubuntu over Debian. I never found it easier and you learn apt either way.