Introduction

Linux has long been known as the operating system of developers and power users, but today it’s far more accessible than ever before. Thanks to user-friendly distributions that prioritize simplicity, stability, and support, even someone who’s never used Linux can get up and running quickly. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best Linux distributions (distros) for beginners, what sets them apart, and who each one is best suited for.

Whether you’re switching from Windows or macOS, using a PC for the first time, or simply curious about Linux, there’s a distro here that fits your comfort level and workflow.

1. Ubuntu: The Standard for New Users

Why it’s great: Ubuntu is one of the most recognizable Linux distributions, and for good reason. It offers a polished graphical interface, a massive community, and extensive documentation. If you’ve ever wanted a desktop that “just works,” Ubuntu delivers with minimal setup.

Key Features:

• Intuitive GNOME desktop environment

• Regular releases and a Long-Term Support (LTS) version with five years of updates

• Large software repository and excellent hardware support

• Strong community forums and extensive official documentation

Good for: Users completely new to Linux or those switching from Windows or macOS.

Best for: Desktops, laptops, beginners.

2. Linux Mint: Familiar Feel for Former Windows Users

Why it’s great: Linux Mint focuses on a familiar desktop experience. Its Cinnamon edition resembles the classic Windows layout, making the transition easier for users coming from that platform. Mint is stable, fast, and comes with many tools that simplify daily tasks.

Key Features:

• Traditional desktop layout (like Windows)

• Comes bundled with multimedia codecs and essential apps

• Excellent performance on older hardware

• Multiple desktop options (Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce)

Good for: Windows switchers looking for a gentle introduction.

Best for: Desktops, older machines, learners.

3. Zorin OS: A Windows-Like Experience With Style

Why it’s great: Zorin OS is designed with newcomers in mind. It’s polished, modern, and “comfortable” for users who may find traditional Linux desktops intimidating. Its interface can mimic Windows or macOS out of the box, and Zorin includes tools to effortlessly install popular applications.

Key Features:

• Look-and-feel switcher (Windows, macOS styles)

Introduction

The KDE community has just published KDE Gear 25.12, the newest quarterly update to its suite of applications. This refresh brings a mix of enhancements, bug fixes, performance refinements, and new features across many popular KDE apps, from Dolphin file manager and Konsole terminal to Krita and Spectacle. With this release, KDE continues its tradition of incremental yet meaningful upgrades that make everyday use smoother and more productive.

KDE Gear updates are not limited to the KDE Plasma desktop; they also benefit users of other desktop environments who install KDE apps on their systems. Whether you’re running KDE on Linux, BSD, or even Windows via KDE Windows builds, Gear 25.12 delivers improvements worth checking out.

Highlights from KDE Gear 25.12

Dolphin, KDE’s file manager, receives several enhancements in this update:

• Improved thumbnail generation for more file types, making previews quicker and more dependable.

• UI polish in the sidebar for easier navigation between folders and mounted drives.

• Better handling of network shares and remote locations, improving responsiveness and reducing hangs.

These changes combine to make everyday file exploration more responsive and visually informative.

The KDE terminal emulator, Konsole, gets attention too:

• Search field improvements help you find text within long terminal scrollbacks faster and with fewer clicks.

• Tab and session indicators are clearer, helping users manage multiple tabs or split views more easily.

• Stability fixes reduce crashes in edge cases when closing multiple sessions at once.

For developers and power users who spend a lot of time in a terminal, these refinements are genuinely useful.

Krita, KDE’s professional painting and illustration application, also benefits from this release:

• Improvements to brush performance, reducing lag on large canvases and complex brush sets.

• Better color management and palette handling, smoothing workflows for digital artists.

• Fixes for certain configuration edge cases that previously caused settings not to persist across sessions.

Artists and digital illustrators should notice fewer interruptions and smoother performance when working on large projects.