A distribution, or “distro”, Linux is an operating system that has been formed by splitting the kernel, and to which open source applications and tools have been included. Each distribution opts for a different “Daemon” driver, for a desktop, for a series of programs, some configurations… and many times they even mount customized versions of the kernel to work on certain architectures.
Although there is only one Linux, there are dozens of distributions. And, for this reason, today we are going to see which are the best and most important for all kinds of uses.
Different types of Linux
Depending on our needs, our knowledge, and what we plan to do with the computer, we will find different distributions to choose from. Thus, some of the types that we can find, and within which we can choose, are:
- Simple and easy to use distros. They are usually distros that have a very intuitive desktop, similar to Windows. They usually come with many programs installed as standard, and all the functions of the operating system can be used with the mouse without having to enter any command.
- Linux for slow and old computers. Computer science is advancing, but not everyone buys new computers often. For this reason, there are distros specially designed to work better on these types of old computers. These tend to use a light (albeit somewhat uglier) desktop, and at the same time are usually easy to use. There are some that can even work freely on computers that are over 20 years old.
- No errors and always available. In general, Linux is a very stable and reliable system. However, there are distros that take this concept to the extreme. These systems guarantee us that our Linux will always be available, and that we will be able to use it in the long term without a single blockage or problem. Ideal for servers or for more demanding users. Of course, said stability has a price: difficulty.
- My data is mine: the importance of security and privacy. Although Linux is not controlled by any company (unlike Windows and Microsoft), there are some systems that are designed to give maximum importance to this concept. Thus, for example, we have systems specially designed to erase all our traces and provide us with absolute anonymity, and other special systems to carry out security practices.
- specialized Linux. This operating system can be used for any purpose. But, in addition, we have specialized distros for all kinds of purposes. For example, there are distros designed for multimedia artists, other systems for scientists, for games and entertainment… Thus, as soon as they are installed, we will have everything we need to start working with them.
Next, we will see the best distros for each of these categories.
Easy to use: Linux ideal for beginners
These distributions stand out for making the system installation process as easy as possible on any PC and, furthermore, for prioritizing the graphical environment over everything else. They are ideal systems for users who are taking their first steps into this new world, although it is true that they may fall short for more advanced users who are looking to go one step further. Simple and intuitive desktops, and a good variety of programs are usually its base pillars.
ubuntu
ubuntu It is, without a doubt, the most popular and well-known Linux distro that we can find on the net. This distro, developed by Canonical, uses a GNOME desktop and comes standard with a series of programs, tools, and settings so that we can start using it from the first moment. Canonical has worked hard to make this system as easy and accessible as possible for everyone, but without closing the door on more advanced users having full control over it. A perfect balance and the best gateway for those who have never used Linux and want to take their first steps on this system. Their problem: that each normal version has only 9 months of support, so if we don’t use an LTS (which are 5 years old) we will have to update almost twice a year.
The main features that we can find when we are going to install and use Ubuntu are:
- Ease of handling. Although we have never used Linux before, we will be able to handle it without problems.
- Frequent updates. Two big updates a year with 9-month support. Every 24 months, an LTS update with 5 years of support.
- Ease of installation. The wizard guides us step by step.
- Robust and easy program search and installation. We can use APT, SNAP packages or run .DEB binaries.
- Totally free, without restrictions and with freedom of distribution.
Here we can
ubuntu
ubuntu is one of the most well-known and widespread flavors of Ubuntu. Roughly speaking, it’s just a version of Canonical’s main distro that, instead of using the GNOME desktop, uses KDE. KDE is a desktop much more complete, focused on providing users with immense ease as well as a large number of customization options and speed.
This distro comes with a large amount of software pre-installed, configured and ready to work so that, unless we have specific needs, we can start working with the system from the first moment.
Like its brother Ubuntu, this system has versions every 6 months, each of which has 9-month support, and an LTS version every 2 years that offers support for 5 years. The recommended version, as always, is the LTS.
On your website we can
linux mint
Over time, Canonical has made its fair share of enemies. And it is that the company has carried out certain decisions without taking into account its user community. For this reason, there are many users who have begun to look for a life outside of this distro. and that’s how linux mint has gained great popularity. This distro is based on Ubuntu, but undoes all of Canonical’s decisions to be the system that the community wants and needs. It has a default desktop, Cinnamon, very easy to use and APT as a package manager. An excellent gateway, very simple, to Linux that we cannot ignore.
Among the main characteristics that we can highlight of this distro are:
- Large programs installed by default: GIMP, LibreOffice, Firefox, Transmission…
- MintApps, programs to facilitate the user experience: MintUpdate, MintInstall, MintDesktop, MintConfig, etc.
- Quick and easy installation.
- Frequent and very simple updates, so as not to have problems. Also, since 2014, it is based only on LTS.
- Although it is based on Ubuntu, it removes everything bad about the Canonical distro. For example, it disables the SNAP packages out of the box, and includes the Synaptic manager.
We can from this link.
Zorin OS
This is another Ubuntu-based distro that was born to make Linux an accessible and easy-to-use operating system. Zorin OS It is mainly committed to offering users an interface very similar to that of Windows, with its taskbar and its start menu, so that users do not have problems when starting to use this system after having been using the system. from Microsoft for a long time. It has several editions to choose from depending on whether we want the standard experience, a “Lite” edition for less powerful computers, or very complete versions full of software and games, although we will have to pay for them.
Here we can install it on our PC.
Elementary OS
Just as Zorin OS has an interface similar to that of Windows, in the case of Elementary OS we find an interface clearly inspired by macOS. This distro is also based on Ubuntu, and takes care of even the smallest detail of this interface. This is an operating system that is very pleasing to the eye and easy to use, perfect both for users who have used Linux before and for those who have never used a PC. Being based on Ubuntu, it is compatible with its repositories, and it has the same package manager, APT, to be able to install what we need.
We can completely free of charge from your website.
Pop!_OS
A new distro, based on Ubuntu, but with very important changes in its interface. Pop!_OS It is developed and maintained by the System76 company and has a look that mixes elements of Windows 10 and Windows 11 as well as macOS to make it fast and, at the same time, easy to use. The desktop has hardly any distractions so that we can be more productive with it. It does not matter if we are advanced users or if we have never used Linux before. This system has everything we may need, whatever our purpose is (Deep Learning, engineering, multimedia production and editing, or browsing the Internet).
On the System76 website we can find the .
trisquel
trisquel It is a Linux distro created in Spain with the aim of becoming one of the freest that we can find. This distro is designed to be used both at home and at work, offering users an easy-to-use desktop (in the purest Windows XP or Windows 7 style), while also including a large number of packages and software. Of course, all 100% free. It is based on Ubuntu, so we will have APT as a package manager, and we will be able to choose between an LXDE desktop, a MATE and a KDE.
We can from here.
Best Light and Fast Linux
Not all systems are going to take up a lot of space on the hard drive or force us to have tens of gigabytes of RAM. Linux has always prioritized stability and performance over many other aspects, and these distros maintain that essence, being able to use them on practically any computer, even if it is more than 20 years old. In addition, thanks to the versatility that Linux offers us, we can turn our old equipment into a system for making backup copies, as a platform for making copies in the cloud, as a mail platform and as a multimedia center for photos, since, to reproduce videos, the thing is more complicated due to the lack of power depending on the application that we use includes transcoding or not.
puppy linux
Puppy is one of the smallest Linux distros that we can find. In just 300 megabytes (and even less, depending on the version) we can find everything we need for our day to day. This distro includes all kinds of tools necessary to satisfy any need, as well as being very simple, fast, and versatile. We can find several flavors depending on whether our computer is more or less old, and a large number of derived distros (called puplets) that will allow us to choose the one that best suits us, whether it is inspired by Ubuntu, Raspbian or even Slackware. .
We can from its main page.
bodhi linux
This distro is designed to give very old computers a second life, especially those that use 256 MB of RAM. Bodhi Linux has a…
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