So if you're new to the whole realm of Linux distros, it can be a very daunting experience given the various different options you have to pick from. And for that reason, I'll give my recommendations on where to start if you're unsure of what to do. For a long time, I've always advocated for Arch Linux and would typically recommend this to anyone and everyone, including new Linux users. Get Arch Linux at https://www.archlinux.org. A couple of years ago, the first ever Linux distro I tried using was Ubuntu but that didn't last for too long because there were better options out there. It wasn't until I tried using Arch Linux when I got very much into using terminal-based applications and window managers. And I was inherently a noob just like any other Windows' user who has never tried using Linux before, so anyone can do it. Nonetheless, make sure you don't go into learning Linux with the mindset of being "too busy to learn how to do things effectively" because that is just arrogant. Also, be careful so you don't get trapped into the paradox of distro-hopping as well.
Regardless, I've always said and recommended the same Linux distro for new users, and that is Manjaro. Get Manjaro at https://manjaro.org/. It is by far, the best Linux distribution for a new user and here is my explanation on why.
Here are the main benefits that Manjaro has over other, more commonly known distros:
- Manjaro has the compatibility with the AUR (Arch User Repository). This is one of the greatest advantages of using Manjaro over other Linux distros. Ubuntu-based distributions use Snap and Flatpak to handle package-builds and absolutely stay away from these if you are a new user, it will ruin your experience with using Linux forever! The AUR is the right way to handle packages because it uses the default-installed tools which are consistently better than what Canonical has to offer. The only reason they have Snap and Flatpak, is because they don't have the AUR and Canonical has to find some kind of way to compensate for their deficient operating system. Other distros try to containerize certain programs just so that people can install proprietary software and this can be quite frustrating, especially if you're new.
- It uses pacman over apt-get such as on Debian, and pacman is incomparable to apt-get. Pacman consists of a lot more useful commands for things such as searching packages, etc. It enables the user to manage their packages much more easily because of these commands, which aren't present in other non-pacman distributions. Another great thing about Arch Linux's repositories, is that they have a wide range of support for numerous window managers, which isn't always the same case with others. This would allow you to install whatever kind of window manager you want such as i3-gaps, BSPWM, or dwm is what I'm currently using. But it's always nice to have that option to be able to install whatever desktop enviroment you want.
- Since Manjaro is based off of Arch Linux, it is a rolling release distribution unlike Ubuntu-based distros, which are stable release. This means Manjaro gets updates as soon as they're made and these updates are usually small-scale updates as opposed to larger ones. Many would say that this could cause issues, however, contrary to popular belief it doesn't. I've never had anything break on me before and if there are any problems, it will usually be on their website, so that you can manually intervene and fix it. Also Manjaro is great if you're into gayming or for Steam because it's rolling release.
- Another benefit of using a rolling release distribution is that you get to be involved with the domain of new software, where people are actively developing and pushing new changes. Whereas on Debian-based distributions you would have to wait longer for specific packages where active development is being worked on, until it is considered "stable".
- Lastly, Manjaro helps ease the transition into using Arch Linux because Manjaro is essentially the easier version of Arch Linux. The commands are basically the same and so there wouldn't be a significant difference in using one over the other. After you'd become quite comfortable with using Manjaro, maybe you would consider to try installing Arch Linux from the bottom-up, which is what you're supposed to do. Conveniently, you would already know most of the commands, so it wouldn't make the experience mystical in anyway as it would've been before.
Just a little side note: when you go to install Manjaro, make sure you get the XFCE version (should be the default) as that is the window manager that you would want. I've come to realize after a while of using Linux, that the major struggle of overcoming the "Windows mindset" is all psychological. New users need to understand that Linux has its own set of utilities which function differently and better than those found on Windows 10. Oftentimes, the first thing new users of Linux want to do is replicate their Windows 10 setup on Linux and not have to deal with learning anything. And that is the fault of Windows or whatever other operating system they are migrating from, because it has taught them to become passive and computer illiterate. However, Manjaro still gives you the option to do that, but that is not the way to use Linux! Not to mention, you also get too used to using the proprietary software which can't always be found on Linux and so you find yourself in a paradox of not knowing what to use. Needless to say, there are usually libre-software alternatives for whatever proprietary software you were using, so use that instead! 99% of the time, you will always benefit from using libre-software in the long run.
After a while of using Manjaro, eventually you're going to become comfortable enough with using Linux that will have one of two options. You can either (1) continue using the Linux operating system as you had since you installed it without any problems, or (2) you finally realize that Linux has a lot more potentiality once you start customizing it which will benefit your workflow and efficacy. This could ultimately teach you more about computers and how to work on them more efficiently, etc. Mind you though, you do not need to be a computer programmer at all to understand any of this, anyone can learn this. And as you learn more about software, you begin to realize how terminal-based applications for example are better, which will enhance your productivity. There is a lot more that you can get out of using Manjaro as a new user to Linux, even if you don't know that much about it.