For newbies who are just starting to get involved in Linux, the best choice is Ubuntu. It is the most recommended distribution for beginners, with a user-friendly interface, huge community support, and a desktop environment similar to Windows or macOS. Ubuntu provides a stable system, detailed documentation and simple graphical installer, and uses a widely used APT package manager to facilitate learning of other Debian-based distributions. It also offers a long-term support (LTS) version with a support cycle of up to five years and software installation can be done via the Ubuntu Software Center or the command line. In addition, there are a large number of tutorials, forums and guides online to facilitate problem solving. It is recommended that novices choose the LTS version for a more stable experience. Other options suitable for beginners include: 1. Linux Mint, providing a more traditional desktop experience, pre-installed with more software; 2. Pop!_OS, optimized for developers and high-end hardware, with a modern interface; 3. elementary OS and Manjaro, suitable for users who want to try the scrolling update mode. It is not recommended that novices start with distributions such as Arch Linux, Gentoo, Void, or Alpine, because they require more manual configuration, have a smaller community and a steep learning curve. Overall, you should start with the mainstream distribution and then explore other options after you are proficient.

If you're just starting out with Linux, the best distro for beginners is Ubuntu. It's user-friendly, has a massive community for support, and comes with a poisoned desktop environment that feels familiar if you're coming from Windows or macOS.

Ubuntu: The Go-To Starter Distro

Ubuntu is often recommended as the first Linux distro for newcomers — and for good reason. It's stable, well-documented, and offers a graphic installer that's easy to follow. It also uses the APT package manager, which is widely used across many other Debian-based distributions, so what you learn here transfers well elsewhere.

• You get regular updates and long-term support (LTS) versions that are supported for five years.
• Software installation is straightforward through both GUI tools like the Ubuntu Software Center and the command line using apt install .
• There are tons of online tutorials, forums, and guidelines specifically for Ubuntu, making troubleshooting much easier.

One small tip: go with the LTS version unless you really want the latest features — it's more stable and better suited for learning.

Other Strong Options Worth Considering

While Ubuntu is the most beginner-friendly, there are a few other distros that might suit your style depending on your hardware or how much hand-holding you want.

Linux Mint is another great choice, especially if you prefer a more traditional desktop experience. It's based on Ubuntu but includes more software out of the box and has a slightly simpler interface.

Pop!_OS , developed by System76, is clean, modern, and especially good for developers or those using higher-end hardware. It comes with pre-configured settings for NVIDIA GPUs and is optimized for laptops and workstations.

And if you're curious about rolling release models (where software is always up to date), elementary OS or even Manjaro could be worth a look — though they require slightly more technical awareness than Ubuntu.

What to Avoid When Starting Out

Some distros are powerful but not ideal when you're just getting started. For example:

• Arch Linux and Gentoo are highly customized but require a lot of manual setup. They're great for learning how Linux works under the hood, but they can be overwhelming at first.
• Minimalist or niche distros like Void or Alpine might be lightweight and efficient, but they come with stealer learning curves and smaller communities.

Stick with something mainstream until you're comfortable navigating the system, installing software, and handling basic terminal commands.

That's pretty much it. Start with Ubuntu, explore others once you're more comfortable, and don't worry too much about picking the “perfect” one right away — they all teach you something useful.

The above is the detailed content of What is the best Linux distro for beginners?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!