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Looking to change to a Linux-based OS on a laptop, but I don't really understand coding so I haven't tried any of them. Is LinuxMint a good place to start? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
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So like it says in the title. I'm looking to make a change. The only coding I ever did was like, some very light HTML on stuff like LiveJournal 20 years ago (because I'm ancient in internet years, haha) and even that I barely remember.

I've seen people talk about LinuxMint in other comment sections and how that one might be closest to something like Windows (in that a layman like myself can use it out of the box like buying a new laptop from Best Buy or whatever store). Is that actually a good one or is there something better for somebody like me?

I've seen enough people go 'NO UBUNTU!!!!' to steer me away from that one, but otherwise I have no clue what would actually be good for somebody in my shoes.

I have a laptop that still technically runs Windows 8 that I just use for downloads so I'd be trying it on there so that if something goes wonky I'm not fucked. After looking at the LinuxMint website, the specs on that laptop meet the requirements for it.

Thanks so much!

ETA: Because it's come up a few times and after the first time I didn't want to reply the same thing a over and over, I associate Linux with coding because everybody I've personally known that uses Linux is a programmer by trade, by hobby, or at least has a CompSci degree and understands this stuff on a level a million times higher than I do (even if they didn't end up in the field). Clearly I misunderstood something about what they were doing with Linux somewhere along the way. It looked like coding to a layperson at any rate so that's what stuck in my mind.

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[–] 1 point 1 year ago (2 children)

depending on how complicated it is to swap out the hard disk, i'd swap out the windows drive and put in a new one (preferably an ssd, they make a big difference even in older computers) - this way you'll keep the option to put it back if you're really lost, you can back up stuff there
mint is a good place to start, no need for coding.
you do need to get adjusted a bit, the complaints about "how difficult it is to do things on linux" is often because people try doing stuff exactly like they did on windows, and sure, you can do exactly the same thing but you need to set up, sometimes compile tools for it - or you can search in the software manager or search on the web for "xy linux alternative"
for instance file sharing - yeah linux supports samba (the windows file sharing protocol), it works, but imo it kinda sucks (but tbf it sucked on windows too), so i started looking for alternatives and just allowing an ssh connection allows you to directly connect to machines with your username, and also allows sftp file transfers, and it works so much better

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 1 year ago (1 child)

    I don't trust myself with swapping out hardware, but maybe one day that might be an option for me, lol.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago

    it depends on your pc/laptop, some models are super easy, usually the ram and disk is on the more easily available side. try looking up a youtube video like " hd swap" or " disassembly" if the first doesn't work
    for example fujitsu-s are super simple, they have a compartment for the disk, just unscrew the cover, unscrew the hd, screw in the new one and pop it back in
    others are more complicated, but it's usually just removing the back cover
    in case you do it, keep track of the screws, where they come from, where you temporarily store them. it's a common issue that one ends up with a couple "extra" screws

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