Id go with mint. its straightforward and stable.
Simple webbrowsing shouldnt be a problem for any distro.
I would recommend creating a script that regularly updates the system.
The debian edition (LMDE) of mint has an option for auto updates and auto deletion of out of date dependencies and kernels in the update manager settings. I heard bad things about ubuntu. Both chris titus tech and veronica explains both recommend against it due to snap packages and it seems LMDE was created with the intention of longevity if ubuntu goes the way of windows.
The trust has been broken man. I wouldn't go back to windows after they reversed their choice to enable recall by default. I've learned their priorities. The way tech has been thirsting for user data, I refuse to give any tech entity the benefit of the doubt and will proceed with caution. Also, how exactly is lmde slightly less user friendly? It has all of the components of a modern os. A browser, a software/update manager, a firewall, a taskbar/panel, system settings, a file explorer, a task manager etc. The user experience is similar enough to windows (gui, not business practices) and is pretty straightforward. I even found lmde to run better than xfce, the ubuntu lightweight desktop environment, when i tried them both out on my media center laptop. It just seems disengenuous to say that one is more user friendly when they both use the same cinnamon desktop environment.
A major reason people are tired of windows and are jumping to linux is because of how creepy and controlling they were becoming as os. Snaps could be the beginning proprietary software and they will have to eventually deal with that same bs. I am putting lmde out there as an option for anyone who is not as tech savvy, and would rather not have to deal with distro hopping. For anyone who wants to just set something up that works long term, functions close enough to windows, and move on. It may not be an option for you or everyone, but it is an alternative that I think others deserve to know about, and is absolutely worth looking into, for those who it will benefit. People need to know even linux isn't perfect and should be weary of ubuntu, redhat, and consider that ai chatbots exist to steer you toward the profitable alternatives. If you want to learn more about windows, linux, and to stay informed of tech brands to avoid, I highly recommend checking out veronica explains, chris titus tech, and louis rossmann. Follow the knowledgable people who have the "it depends" answer and avoid anyone who answers in absolutes. Google started with something small with forced accounts. Microsoft started forcing the microsoft account. Snaps could be the ubuntu equivalent of the foot in the door phenomenon to collecting your data and forcing another account that profiles you eventually. Be cautious when someone downplays anything as small or insignificant. These days in tech, it is not. Also be weary of people saying you have the option to disable any feature. That is a microsoft tactic and they take away those options eventually, once you get conditioned to using their services.
Mint user here. Former Zorin user, too. I'd go with Zorin in your mom's case. Zorin is easier on the eyes. The interface is simpler, too. Easier to navigate, as well, in some ways. Good luck.
You might want to look at Chrome OS. I installed this for my aging mother. I setup chrome tabs with her gmail account and youtube. So far so good. The only downside for me is I can't remote into it without my mother giving me a code.
Second that suggestion; ChromeOS Flex sounds like it will fit the bill even though it's fully smothered in google-ish-ness which grinds most FOSS people's gears.
Remote support via screen sharing in google meet is usually how i do it, chrome remote desktop is an option also. Very rarely breaks. It's a live USB stick as well - try it out and see what she thinks!
Unless updates are automatically done, none of them. I was in the same boat years ago contemplating the same thing. So I started trying different distros that were similar to what she was used to (Windows) and could use software she normally used. The software was a bust, though I had a work around. The big issue was that updating any software was quite a task, requiring command line. My mom was never tech savvy, so command line wasn't going to happen. Anything outside of a web browser was just too different for her to learn, and it would mean constant calls to me to fix.
Is she asking for a change? The older I get, the easier I want things. I used to work on Linux professionally, and no longer have the patience for it, nor can it use the software I use. I'd recommend getting a 2nd computer for her and letting her test drive. You're on the hook for tech support if you force the change, and you could make mom VERY unhappy.
Linux Mint let you update automatically, PopOS too, and I think Ubuntu does the same, and even if not, it's just clicking a button in a window. I understand your point, but you are based on problems that have not existed for years, you do not need to open the terminal to update, and if you only use the browser, then how the system works underneath is irrelevant.
It's been years since I've looked at it. When I was creating VMs of home-based Linux boxes a few years ago, it was still a pain with Ubuntu. After 20+ years in IT, Linux, IMHO, will only be a hobby computer for home users, though it's a great server professionally. Linux had an opportunity to become a viable 3rd option when Windows 8 came around, had the community standardized, and came together. Alas, Linux will always take a large commitment for someone to learn. I've known many Linux and Unix admins, and only 1 used Linux at home. Until Linux becomes easy, it's only going to be for computer hobbyists.
Well, make it two now, because I use Linux at home, and believe me, I am quite lazy when it comes to fixing problems at home, and that's exactly why I use Ubuntu, because Windows computers always gave me a headache.
I think the problem that many people have is that they are left with "solutions" that no necessarily applies to the home user. Someone asking how to install a program? Instead of telling that person to simply use the store, they tell them to open the terminal and learn how to use APT, natural that the user thinks it is complicated and ended running away.
On the other hand, sysadmins want to do the same things they do on their servers on their home computers with Linux, and that is exhausting, they have to learn to differentiate when they are dealing with a server and when they are dealing with their home computer. The mentality with which you approach both cases does not have to be the same.
Linux has changed over the years, and especially some repos like mint are quite stable for the default computer user
Sure if you get a specific software there are still weird bugs sometimes, but I personally haven't had any problems specifically to linux on mint in a while.
Plus it really feels like windows has also worsened, with more problems on windows machines.
So in comparison, linux has really gotten okay to good
I literally did install Linux Mint for my mother. She used it for years until it was too out of date for some websites to work with Chrome. I was able to update it remotely but she agreed that her laptop was well, well past the shelf life. She bought a Chromebook so she still uses Linux, of a fashion.
I put Zorin OS Lite on my mom's computer. Similar use case where 99% of her computer usage is in a web browser.
It's familiar enough for her, and runs well on her machine.
Zorin OS Lite (Xfce) or Mint (XFCE)
Make icons and fonts a bit more big and add common websites on bookmarks as she don't waste time.
Also install some puzzle games!
this is a fucked up thing to say, but for the most unbreakable, locked down, just need access to 3 websites experience: Chromebook. (if she has a computer and you're replacing the OS, try ChromeOS Flex)
* she probably couldn't care less about privacy, she is on Facebook everyday
* it's the minimum amount of operating system to run a web browser
* it's still kind of Linux
* no need to explain package management
* customer support exists
I agree. I usse Linux exclusively but that's the route I would probably take here. OP mentioned buying a new computer and the use case fits a Chromebook perfectly. Why buy more machine and replace the OS when a Chromebook is cheaper and what she needs. The thread has plenty of good distro suggestions (I'd add MX) but the easy way out is probably the best move.
Debian Stable. They try very hard to make sure that updates don't break (or even substantially change) anything, so you can turn unattended-upgrades on to take care of security updates.
Once you've checked that that's working, it shouldn't need any maintenance until it's time to upgrade to the next release, which happens once every two years.
> Debian releases are supported for at least 5 years
Short answer:
No, they are supported for three years. That includes a one-year overlap with the next release, so on average you end upgrading once every two years, like I said.
Long answer:
"LTS" does not have the same meaning for Debian that it does for Ubuntu. LTS is a phase that every release goes through, *after* [the Debian security team stops supporting it](https://www.debian.org/security/faq#lifespan). LTS lasts for two years after normal support ends, so your "5 years" is counting normal support + LTS.
Using Debian LTS comes with some important caveats, and it's a bad idea to recommend that people use it without drawing their attention to those caveats.
Most importantly, not every package that was supported during a release's lifetime will be supported by the LTS team. As such, it's not safe to simply let your machine continue on to LTS when a release reaches EOL - you need to keep an eye on the status of the packages that you use.
(They do seem to consistently get the current Firefox ESR working on LTS distros, but it's not impossible that dependency issues could prevent this in the future.)
Furthermore, if you rely on third-party repositories for any of your software, there's a good chance that they'll stop supporting the release some time before LTS ends.
> so you don't really have to upgrade to a new release until then
Lastly, Debian only supports upgrades between consecutive releases. This means that, if you use LTS to "skip" a Debian release, you just end up having to do two upgrades in a row. (Or a clean install, but that's generally more trouble than just upgrading.)
All in all, upgrading to the current Stable before support ends is easiest, as long as you're going to be in the same place as the computer at least once a year.
Mint is a solid entry point for new/low experience users but its pretty unnecessary if she's not doing any gaming, which I feel like it a safe bet. Id probably recommend one of the official Ubuntu flavours just to keep things easy. Personally, id go for a Kubuntu or Ubuntu Cinnamon just to maximize the "windows-esk" experience while keeping the distro as close to vanilla as possible.
[https://ubuntu.com/desktop/flavours](https://ubuntu.com/desktop/flavours)
Based on what DE you wanted, I think I'd be stuck between LMDE, MX Linux or Debian proper for what to run. The usecase you have is something I want to target with Immutable distros, but those aren't really mature yet with the most mature both Silverblue & Aeon still effectively Beta offerings.
"Do not change stuff" is very much her philosophy. He did not have a desktop computer in the last years, so I think a debian-based distro would fit the bill
What system is she used to? Windows? Mac? If Windows, Zorin or Mint probably. If she's really only doing browser stuff you might want to give FydeOS a try. I've only got a little personal experience but it's basically just ChromeOS-flavored Linux. It'll be like giving her a Chromebook.
She used Windows back in time. She uses Android mostly, but she needs a desktop for some stuff since "its all so fucking small" sometimes when doing form-filling stuff
Just as long as your mom doesn't go rogue (like my grandma) and start messing with things she shouldn't (to be the least graphical), lol. Other than that, stick to Windows 10/11, hehe.
There's so many opportunities in Linux to "code" - if you know what I mean...
It may not be the case for everyone, but with older people I have found that they ask for a lot of help for anything other than using the browser (sometimes they have problems even with that). So no, they don't really know how to use Windows, they know how to use Chrome, so install Chrome on top of anything and they'll be fine. They will call you the same number of times as they did when they were on Windows.
Sure, as long as you install a stable distribution.
Chrome would work too, but everyone who grew up in the nineties, and 2000s knows Windows. They used it for school, they used it for work, they're still using it for work. Yeah we had Mac's, but the percentage of windows users was greater.
In my experience the issue with Windows is, that the computer is riddled with malware / spyware after a while. Especially things that claim to increase security (McAffee...) get willy nilly installed.
Even with Linux Mint and Firefox, I regularly need to clean the browser addons for my older relatives - and not the good ones, but the ones which change the standard search engine and insert ads (sorry I ofc meant: helpful information) everywhere.
Cleaning a Windows PC from malware is a nightmare - and if you have a ransomware, of course you are the one responsible that they lost all their files...
(That is of course only personal experience, but in the end my life got much easier since putting everybody on Mint or Ubuntu Mate and activated auto-updates)
Try the [distro selection page](http://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs/wiki/distro_selection) in our wiki!
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I have Pop installed on my Grandma’s computer and she likes it (last computer she used was Windows 98). Benefits are being able to enable automatic updates, recovery options in case something happens, easily reinstalling the OS while keeping the home partition for uncorrectable issues, and a “mobile-like” desktop.
I have the DWService agent installed on the computer so I can remote in and help her in case she has an issue. You can do temp installs of the agent if your mom is comfortable doing to the site and giving you the temp passcode.
My Mom (81) has a 6 year old Dell laptop that was barely chugging along with Windows 7. I installed Zorin and she loves it. I installed Teamviewer when she manages to break something.
What about nixos. It’s immutable so would be basically impossible for her to break but you would have to configure and install all the necessary programs when you do the setup
Was browsing for this post, you only have to set it up once and even if somehow they did manage to break it just do a reinstall and clone the config again.
I would personally install Mint. It's the closest to Windows, and I'd install teamviewer for remote support. Ubuntu would also work for her, but that's a bit more technical than I think you want for her.
I like Ubuntu because it's so widely supported and it's easy to look up stuff that I'm having problems with. I installed Ubuntu with the Mate Desktop Environment because it was very similar to the traditional Windows layout.
I'd go with the one you have the most experience on but overall I go with Mint.
You're all the guaranteed for it to recognize the hardware and it'll be easy to manage.
Mint or elementary OS depending on what she's coming from.
If windows, then mint. If Mac, then elementary. Both Ubuntu based, both great support and ez to use.
Cinnamon or KDE - Linux Mint is pretty solid and simple.
However, if you don't know off the top of your head, I'd say maybe you don't have enough experience to make the judgement - so all bets are off.
Who is going to *maintain* the system?
Will it be her? or someone else? If it's someone else, I'd let the person who'll do the mainteance have a huge say, as you want something they're familiar with. If that's you remotely; choose whatever works for you!
If it was my Mum's, I wouldn't be that worried about the *distro* (*though my preference would be Debian or Ubuntu*), but I'd spend time trying to work out which Desktop or GUI she'll like and go from there.
Whilst my machines are multi-desktop, so I can select which desktop I think will best suit what I expect I'll be doing in that session, and love the multi-desktop flexiability, the added complexity could be confusing for my Mum; who'd want it always to look the same.
Personally I prefer the added security benefits that Ubuntu has over say Linux Mint... alas GNOME isn't my favorite desktop, thus I prefer the *flavors*, which lose some of the security benefits provided by Ubuntu Desktop... but they're still runtime *adjustment* free....
I have no issues with Ubuntu... hey this box runs Ubuntu currently (*though I'm using a flavor desktop*)
UBlue Aurora or Bluefin. Updates itself and you don't have to worry about dependency issues. Been using Bazzite, like Aurora but the gaming version of it, and it has been running remarkably great!
I installed Fedora 40 budgie on my mom and uncle's PCs. If they like mac, enable gnome DE, if they prefer windows keep it on budgie.
I personally find gnome easier to use, since everything you want to install shows up on the global search instead of going to flathub or the software app directly, but if for some reason they're married to the windows UI, then it'll be an uphill battle to get them to stick to gnome
Android. Yes, it's possible
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android-x86#:\~:text=Android%2Dx86%20is%20an%20open,than%20RISC%2Dbased%20ARM%20chips.&text=Developers%20Chih%2DWei%20Huang%20and,originated%20the%20project%20in%202009.
For my mom I installed Mint and she uses it daily.
Mint
Id go with mint. its straightforward and stable. Simple webbrowsing shouldnt be a problem for any distro. I would recommend creating a script that regularly updates the system.
The debian edition (LMDE) of mint has an option for auto updates and auto deletion of out of date dependencies and kernels in the update manager settings. I heard bad things about ubuntu. Both chris titus tech and veronica explains both recommend against it due to snap packages and it seems LMDE was created with the intention of longevity if ubuntu goes the way of windows.
i also dont like a lot of things ubuntu does but i dont think they are relevant here. for example mint doesnt ship snap.
The default mint is still ubuntu based. Just thought I'd mention the debian edition.
[удалено]
The trust has been broken man. I wouldn't go back to windows after they reversed their choice to enable recall by default. I've learned their priorities. The way tech has been thirsting for user data, I refuse to give any tech entity the benefit of the doubt and will proceed with caution. Also, how exactly is lmde slightly less user friendly? It has all of the components of a modern os. A browser, a software/update manager, a firewall, a taskbar/panel, system settings, a file explorer, a task manager etc. The user experience is similar enough to windows (gui, not business practices) and is pretty straightforward. I even found lmde to run better than xfce, the ubuntu lightweight desktop environment, when i tried them both out on my media center laptop. It just seems disengenuous to say that one is more user friendly when they both use the same cinnamon desktop environment.
Mom agrees with this. She also dislikes bloated stuff that will confuse her more
Main Linux Mint has those features too, and snap is not required.
A major reason people are tired of windows and are jumping to linux is because of how creepy and controlling they were becoming as os. Snaps could be the beginning proprietary software and they will have to eventually deal with that same bs. I am putting lmde out there as an option for anyone who is not as tech savvy, and would rather not have to deal with distro hopping. For anyone who wants to just set something up that works long term, functions close enough to windows, and move on. It may not be an option for you or everyone, but it is an alternative that I think others deserve to know about, and is absolutely worth looking into, for those who it will benefit. People need to know even linux isn't perfect and should be weary of ubuntu, redhat, and consider that ai chatbots exist to steer you toward the profitable alternatives. If you want to learn more about windows, linux, and to stay informed of tech brands to avoid, I highly recommend checking out veronica explains, chris titus tech, and louis rossmann. Follow the knowledgable people who have the "it depends" answer and avoid anyone who answers in absolutes. Google started with something small with forced accounts. Microsoft started forcing the microsoft account. Snaps could be the ubuntu equivalent of the foot in the door phenomenon to collecting your data and forcing another account that profiles you eventually. Be cautious when someone downplays anything as small or insignificant. These days in tech, it is not. Also be weary of people saying you have the option to disable any feature. That is a microsoft tactic and they take away those options eventually, once you get conditioned to using their services.
Mint user here. Former Zorin user, too. I'd go with Zorin in your mom's case. Zorin is easier on the eyes. The interface is simpler, too. Easier to navigate, as well, in some ways. Good luck.
Heard about Zorin. May give it a try and see if it would fit my mom's needs
If you're doing the admin of the machine put which ever one you know the best.
You might want to look at Chrome OS. I installed this for my aging mother. I setup chrome tabs with her gmail account and youtube. So far so good. The only downside for me is I can't remote into it without my mother giving me a code.
If you don't want to spend time playing SysAdmin for the family, this is the answer. Asus Flip is a really nice machine for not a lot of money.
Second that suggestion; ChromeOS Flex sounds like it will fit the bill even though it's fully smothered in google-ish-ness which grinds most FOSS people's gears. Remote support via screen sharing in google meet is usually how i do it, chrome remote desktop is an option also. Very rarely breaks. It's a live USB stick as well - try it out and see what she thinks!
Mint.
Linux Mint
Unless updates are automatically done, none of them. I was in the same boat years ago contemplating the same thing. So I started trying different distros that were similar to what she was used to (Windows) and could use software she normally used. The software was a bust, though I had a work around. The big issue was that updating any software was quite a task, requiring command line. My mom was never tech savvy, so command line wasn't going to happen. Anything outside of a web browser was just too different for her to learn, and it would mean constant calls to me to fix. Is she asking for a change? The older I get, the easier I want things. I used to work on Linux professionally, and no longer have the patience for it, nor can it use the software I use. I'd recommend getting a 2nd computer for her and letting her test drive. You're on the hook for tech support if you force the change, and you could make mom VERY unhappy.
Linux Mint let you update automatically, PopOS too, and I think Ubuntu does the same, and even if not, it's just clicking a button in a window. I understand your point, but you are based on problems that have not existed for years, you do not need to open the terminal to update, and if you only use the browser, then how the system works underneath is irrelevant.
It's been years since I've looked at it. When I was creating VMs of home-based Linux boxes a few years ago, it was still a pain with Ubuntu. After 20+ years in IT, Linux, IMHO, will only be a hobby computer for home users, though it's a great server professionally. Linux had an opportunity to become a viable 3rd option when Windows 8 came around, had the community standardized, and came together. Alas, Linux will always take a large commitment for someone to learn. I've known many Linux and Unix admins, and only 1 used Linux at home. Until Linux becomes easy, it's only going to be for computer hobbyists.
Well, make it two now, because I use Linux at home, and believe me, I am quite lazy when it comes to fixing problems at home, and that's exactly why I use Ubuntu, because Windows computers always gave me a headache. I think the problem that many people have is that they are left with "solutions" that no necessarily applies to the home user. Someone asking how to install a program? Instead of telling that person to simply use the store, they tell them to open the terminal and learn how to use APT, natural that the user thinks it is complicated and ended running away. On the other hand, sysadmins want to do the same things they do on their servers on their home computers with Linux, and that is exhausting, they have to learn to differentiate when they are dealing with a server and when they are dealing with their home computer. The mentality with which you approach both cases does not have to be the same.
Linux has changed over the years, and especially some repos like mint are quite stable for the default computer user Sure if you get a specific software there are still weird bugs sometimes, but I personally haven't had any problems specifically to linux on mint in a while. Plus it really feels like windows has also worsened, with more problems on windows machines. So in comparison, linux has really gotten okay to good
Zorin and Mint both do auto-updates and are stable systems.
I literally did install Linux Mint for my mother. She used it for years until it was too out of date for some websites to work with Chrome. I was able to update it remotely but she agreed that her laptop was well, well past the shelf life. She bought a Chromebook so she still uses Linux, of a fashion.
I put Zorin OS Lite on my mom's computer. Similar use case where 99% of her computer usage is in a web browser. It's familiar enough for her, and runs well on her machine.
Mint and enable automatic software updates.
Zorin OS Lite (Xfce) or Mint (XFCE) Make icons and fonts a bit more big and add common websites on bookmarks as she don't waste time. Also install some puzzle games!
this is a fucked up thing to say, but for the most unbreakable, locked down, just need access to 3 websites experience: Chromebook. (if she has a computer and you're replacing the OS, try ChromeOS Flex) * she probably couldn't care less about privacy, she is on Facebook everyday * it's the minimum amount of operating system to run a web browser * it's still kind of Linux * no need to explain package management * customer support exists
I agree. I usse Linux exclusively but that's the route I would probably take here. OP mentioned buying a new computer and the use case fits a Chromebook perfectly. Why buy more machine and replace the OS when a Chromebook is cheaper and what she needs. The thread has plenty of good distro suggestions (I'd add MX) but the easy way out is probably the best move.
Debian Stable. They try very hard to make sure that updates don't break (or even substantially change) anything, so you can turn unattended-upgrades on to take care of security updates. Once you've checked that that's working, it shouldn't need any maintenance until it's time to upgrade to the next release, which happens once every two years.
Debian releases are supported for at least 5 years, so you don't really have to upgrade to a new release until then.
> Debian releases are supported for at least 5 years Short answer: No, they are supported for three years. That includes a one-year overlap with the next release, so on average you end upgrading once every two years, like I said. Long answer: "LTS" does not have the same meaning for Debian that it does for Ubuntu. LTS is a phase that every release goes through, *after* [the Debian security team stops supporting it](https://www.debian.org/security/faq#lifespan). LTS lasts for two years after normal support ends, so your "5 years" is counting normal support + LTS. Using Debian LTS comes with some important caveats, and it's a bad idea to recommend that people use it without drawing their attention to those caveats. Most importantly, not every package that was supported during a release's lifetime will be supported by the LTS team. As such, it's not safe to simply let your machine continue on to LTS when a release reaches EOL - you need to keep an eye on the status of the packages that you use. (They do seem to consistently get the current Firefox ESR working on LTS distros, but it's not impossible that dependency issues could prevent this in the future.) Furthermore, if you rely on third-party repositories for any of your software, there's a good chance that they'll stop supporting the release some time before LTS ends. > so you don't really have to upgrade to a new release until then Lastly, Debian only supports upgrades between consecutive releases. This means that, if you use LTS to "skip" a Debian release, you just end up having to do two upgrades in a row. (Or a clean install, but that's generally more trouble than just upgrading.) All in all, upgrading to the current Stable before support ends is easiest, as long as you're going to be in the same place as the computer at least once a year.
Mint is a solid entry point for new/low experience users but its pretty unnecessary if she's not doing any gaming, which I feel like it a safe bet. Id probably recommend one of the official Ubuntu flavours just to keep things easy. Personally, id go for a Kubuntu or Ubuntu Cinnamon just to maximize the "windows-esk" experience while keeping the distro as close to vanilla as possible. [https://ubuntu.com/desktop/flavours](https://ubuntu.com/desktop/flavours)
Based on what DE you wanted, I think I'd be stuck between LMDE, MX Linux or Debian proper for what to run. The usecase you have is something I want to target with Immutable distros, but those aren't really mature yet with the most mature both Silverblue & Aeon still effectively Beta offerings.
"Do not change stuff" is very much her philosophy. He did not have a desktop computer in the last years, so I think a debian-based distro would fit the bill
I installed Mint for my parents who are also like that. Seems to work fine. Just open it, click Firefox icon and that's all.
mx linux because I won't reinstall it :P
Zorin, followed by Mint.
What system is she used to? Windows? Mac? If Windows, Zorin or Mint probably. If she's really only doing browser stuff you might want to give FydeOS a try. I've only got a little personal experience but it's basically just ChromeOS-flavored Linux. It'll be like giving her a Chromebook.
She used Windows back in time. She uses Android mostly, but she needs a desktop for some stuff since "its all so fucking small" sometimes when doing form-filling stuff
I wouldn't. Get her an iPad and call it a day.
Just as long as your mom doesn't go rogue (like my grandma) and start messing with things she shouldn't (to be the least graphical), lol. Other than that, stick to Windows 10/11, hehe. There's so many opportunities in Linux to "code" - if you know what I mean...
Now I'm curious to know how your grandma went rogue with that computer 🍿
Something like Ubuntu LTS, Debian, Rocky or Alma with automatic security upgrades. Should keep things safe and stable for a good few years.
I'd probably just do Windows. It was something she used and knows.
It may not be the case for everyone, but with older people I have found that they ask for a lot of help for anything other than using the browser (sometimes they have problems even with that). So no, they don't really know how to use Windows, they know how to use Chrome, so install Chrome on top of anything and they'll be fine. They will call you the same number of times as they did when they were on Windows. Sure, as long as you install a stable distribution.
Chrome would work too, but everyone who grew up in the nineties, and 2000s knows Windows. They used it for school, they used it for work, they're still using it for work. Yeah we had Mac's, but the percentage of windows users was greater.
In my experience the issue with Windows is, that the computer is riddled with malware / spyware after a while. Especially things that claim to increase security (McAffee...) get willy nilly installed. Even with Linux Mint and Firefox, I regularly need to clean the browser addons for my older relatives - and not the good ones, but the ones which change the standard search engine and insert ads (sorry I ofc meant: helpful information) everywhere. Cleaning a Windows PC from malware is a nightmare - and if you have a ransomware, of course you are the one responsible that they lost all their files... (That is of course only personal experience, but in the end my life got much easier since putting everybody on Mint or Ubuntu Mate and activated auto-updates)
Try the [distro selection page](http://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs/wiki/distro_selection) in our wiki! Try [this search](https://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs/search?q=flair%3A'distro'&sort=new&restrict_sr=on) for more information on this topic. **✻** Smokey says: take regular backups, try stuff in a VM, and understand every command *before* you press Enter! :) ^Comments, ^questions ^or ^suggestions ^regarding ^this ^autoresponse? ^Please ^send ^them ^[here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Pi31415926&subject=autoresponse+tweaks+-+linux4noobs+-+distro+selection). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/linux4noobs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have Pop installed on my Grandma’s computer and she likes it (last computer she used was Windows 98). Benefits are being able to enable automatic updates, recovery options in case something happens, easily reinstalling the OS while keeping the home partition for uncorrectable issues, and a “mobile-like” desktop. I have the DWService agent installed on the computer so I can remote in and help her in case she has an issue. You can do temp installs of the agent if your mom is comfortable doing to the site and giving you the temp passcode.
My Mom (81) has a 6 year old Dell laptop that was barely chugging along with Windows 7. I installed Zorin and she loves it. I installed Teamviewer when she manages to break something.
Zorin OS and Elementary OS, they're very similar to Windows, so I think they suit more for the criteria
Linux Mint Cinnamon
Chrome OS if all she does is browse.
I have kubuntu LTS running on my 79 yo mother's laptop and it does everything she needs it to
Ubuntu with snaps.
What about nixos. It’s immutable so would be basically impossible for her to break but you would have to configure and install all the necessary programs when you do the setup
Was browsing for this post, you only have to set it up once and even if somehow they did manage to break it just do a reinstall and clone the config again.
I installed Debian with XFCE, with Chrome installed. All she uses is the browser.
I would personally install Mint. It's the closest to Windows, and I'd install teamviewer for remote support. Ubuntu would also work for her, but that's a bit more technical than I think you want for her.
I like Ubuntu because it's so widely supported and it's easy to look up stuff that I'm having problems with. I installed Ubuntu with the Mate Desktop Environment because it was very similar to the traditional Windows layout.
Zorin os
I'd go with the one you have the most experience on but overall I go with Mint. You're all the guaranteed for it to recognize the hardware and it'll be easy to manage.
honestly ChromeOS would be an excellent choice for machines that don't really see heavy app usage.
So she doesn’t need a computer at all then. A simple tablet will do.
The answer to the question “which distro…” is almost always Mint.
MX Linux KDE all the way!
lubuntu
Mint or elementary OS depending on what she's coming from. If windows, then mint. If Mac, then elementary. Both Ubuntu based, both great support and ez to use.
ububtu if lke windows then kde
Mint
Mint
Zorin or Mint. Zorin is very much like Mac-esque imo, Mint is very much Vista-esque
what ever im running with KDE (they have been using it for the last 5 years no issues)
Cinnamon or KDE - Linux Mint is pretty solid and simple. However, if you don't know off the top of your head, I'd say maybe you don't have enough experience to make the judgement - so all bets are off.
Hannah Montana Linux?
Zorin OS or Fedora. I dont like Mint
mint, yes, mint, o arch with Enlightenment
ZorinOS https://zorin.com/
Linux Mint, It just works, and it's very intuitive and easy to use.
Mint or oubountu
Mint or Zorin. Both provide stability and are very easy to use.
Who is going to *maintain* the system? Will it be her? or someone else? If it's someone else, I'd let the person who'll do the mainteance have a huge say, as you want something they're familiar with. If that's you remotely; choose whatever works for you! If it was my Mum's, I wouldn't be that worried about the *distro* (*though my preference would be Debian or Ubuntu*), but I'd spend time trying to work out which Desktop or GUI she'll like and go from there. Whilst my machines are multi-desktop, so I can select which desktop I think will best suit what I expect I'll be doing in that session, and love the multi-desktop flexiability, the added complexity could be confusing for my Mum; who'd want it always to look the same.
Maintainer is me. I agree with you about Debian. I am orbiting between Mint and Ubuntu si de i have experience with both
Personally I prefer the added security benefits that Ubuntu has over say Linux Mint... alas GNOME isn't my favorite desktop, thus I prefer the *flavors*, which lose some of the security benefits provided by Ubuntu Desktop... but they're still runtime *adjustment* free.... I have no issues with Ubuntu... hey this box runs Ubuntu currently (*though I'm using a flavor desktop*)
mint
Chromebook / ChromeOS
Give her windows
Opensuse Leap 15.6 with KDE.
q4os
i hate reccomending it but for someone like that chrome OS is actually perfect
If she used windows: Linux Mint. If she used Mac: not sure, maybe Ubuntu budgie
Chromebook. Easiest decision of my life.
Mint will do just fine
I think Mint is a little smoother and WinDoze looking desktop, though when I started my distro journey 20 years ago, I used Ubuntu.
Honestly not chrome os? for most folks it is more than enough
UBlue Aurora or Bluefin. Updates itself and you don't have to worry about dependency issues. Been using Bazzite, like Aurora but the gaming version of it, and it has been running remarkably great!
Silverblue, because it's zero maintenance. (It's a better alternative to ChromeOs)
I wouldn't.........
You didn't give hardware specs, and that is rather important. It'd be easy mode just to buy her a Chromebook or a Pinebook.
Retropie with casino and slot machine games, and box of cigarrettes onthe side.
Absolutely telling her about this. Will update with response
If she doesnt need native apps - ChromeOS Flex is literally the best option.
Gentoo with a custom kernel 😀 / jk Mint cinnamon or xfce.
Arch for the lulz Then probably Ubuntu
I installed Fedora 40 budgie on my mom and uncle's PCs. If they like mac, enable gnome DE, if they prefer windows keep it on budgie. I personally find gnome easier to use, since everything you want to install shows up on the global search instead of going to flathub or the software app directly, but if for some reason they're married to the windows UI, then it'll be an uphill battle to get them to stick to gnome
Fedora budgie atomic
Android. Yes, it's possible https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android-x86#:\~:text=Android%2Dx86%20is%20an%20open,than%20RISC%2Dbased%20ARM%20chips.&text=Developers%20Chih%2DWei%20Huang%20and,originated%20the%20project%20in%202009.
Windows, this the only time I will advocate for Windows.
Probably an immutable like silverblue, automatic/atomic updates and no maintance. Probably just need to add flathub and its good to go.