Linux

💯 post-snap Ubuntu is legit bad for desktop. I feel like now that there's an official KDE Fedora spin, that's the best generic option for someone who just wants working Windows 95 paradigm. Mint is way better for printer support out of the box, but how big is that as a concern v other hardware that's too new in 2025?

Also the expectation that you will use all the same software. They mentioned a screenshot tool not being supported. That is something that will obviously be os specific.

Ubuntu is the only one that works well for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Seconded. I have endeavourOS on my desktop and mint on my laptops.

Endeavour (arch based) is great for people who like to tinker with the setup whereas mint is ootb ready to go, with most UX features ex windows users would expect.

I used to recommend elementary OS to Mac users, and mint to windows. Now I recommend mint to all, and to customise it to mimic Mac; if that's what's desired... As it's just so damn stable in comparison.

Everyone uses Ubuntu thus is becomes the default. Annoyingly.

For example Nvidia Jetson devices run Ubuntu.

Yeah, when someone is interested in switching I always advise them to sort out their apps first. Many Linux applications also run on windows, the reverse is rarely true.

I absolutely agree with you. He should have gotten help from the beginning, so a lot of his problems wouldn't have manifested in the first place. Reading his experience is interesting but it doesn't really convey the willingness to use a linux based OS, or any other OS that isn't Windows for that matter. Notepad++ is great but will not work on MacOS either and especially the choices in text/code editors under linux are immense. And Ubuntu as first choice isn't good for somebody doing the switch nowadays IMHO. Still kudos for jumping into cold water like that and still continuing.

From the article, I wish them the best but this line of thinking is not the Linux way:

The first app I installed on Ubuntu (on both my machines) was Chrome browser. While Chromium, the open source version of the browser, is available in Ubuntu's App Center (its app store), the official Google version is not.

If you're wanting to give Linux a try, you gotta be willing to let go of the Windows way. Chrome is not better than chromium because Google. Don't complain that a specific app is hard to get running if you aren't willing to try the alternatives, especially if there's literally a Linux version maintained by the same developer

Another vote for Linux Mint. Many Linux distros are available on bootable USBs, so you can try out Linux without messing with your Windows installation at all.

IDK why that would concern anyone - it's free for personal use.

There was a time that Ubuntu was the distro for the masses! Their branding featured a bunch of diverse young people in casual clothing. That's no longer the case. I outright recommend against it now.