Which Linux Is Best?

[rhcp1253]

I just got my new Macbook Unibody (WEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!) and I installed Ubuntu and found nothing worked. Which operating system should I install? Looking for any suggestions

[Bemk]

Some "wise" advice from a 16 year old, try as many as you can, and choose the one that you like the most. When I first came to Linux I tried about 9 distro's before coming to Ubuntu, which I still run today, only 3 versions later (5 on some of my other systems). We cannot make that decision for you, however be expected to get a whole list from other users.

I will give you a small list of the Distro's I know:
Ubuntu,
KUbuntu,
XUbuntu,
Ubuntu Studio,
Redhat (not free of charge, but still Open Source),
Fedora,
Suse,
Novell (the same problem as with Redhat),
Debian,
Sidux,
CentOS (never tried though, will in near future)
and that's about all.

I know all of those distro's accept for the ones you have to pay for. Debian and Ubuntu have been the most easy on my learning curve, though that may not aply to you, for every human being is very different.

[oz]

Which Linux Is Best?

Welcome to the forums!

There isn't a Linux distribution takes that crown. You'll need to try out a few different distributions to decide which one is best for your personal tastes in an OS and works best with your computer. Check the link in my signature for lots of good information on getting started with Linux.

Do let us know what you wind up liking and consider the best for you.

[Bemk]

If you didn't already notice, I totally agree with Ozar.

[oz]

If you didn't already notice, I totally agree with Ozar.

Yeah, I wish there truly was a "best" Linux so that we could recommend it to all newcomers because it would certainly simplify things. The way it is now, we all have to do a certain amount of experimenting to find our very own best, then recommend new users do the same.

Arch has been the best for me for about 5 years now, but before that Slackware was best, and I remember Debian being the best for a period of about 6 months in my Linux past!

[teenytinylinuxgrl]

The best distro is the one that comes preinstalled on your computer! Okay, but if not, then here is something I've just learned:

Some distros just won't work on some computers, but others may. Alot of computers have proprietary hardware that is designed to work only with certain OSes.

Have a look at Distrowatch.com and choose from among the top ones listed there. But here is another trick:

Read the reviews for the distros and look for a reviewer that tested the distro on a computer like your own computer. That may give you a better idea of how it might perform on your own computer. You might even Google "Ubuntu on Macbook" or Mandriva on a Macbook" and see what comes up.

Have fun with it! And welcome to the forums!

Amy

[Bemk]

The best distro is the one that comes preinstalled on your computer!

Ok, one big mistake, also here you should look around if there are better options. I haven't heard much good about those OEM distro's. I certainly would knock mine of the disk and install one that I chose (or at least get rid of all the firmware, that slows your machine down).

About proprietary devices, once you have enough Linux experience you will be able to run it everywhere, even on systems that are as proprietary as hell.

[rhcp1253]

I'm just looking for a Distro that will have everything working out of the box

[MikeTbob]

I'm just looking for a Distro that will have everything working out of the box

Linux Mint comes to my mind, as does Sabayon Linux.
Have a look at the Distro Quiz.

zegenie Studios Linux Distribution Chooser

[Bemk]

Ubuntu also works out of the box on most systems, pity it doesn't on yours.