Computer Gurus: Linux

[GA Russell]

I am thinking about picking up a desktop computer with Linux.  Just for internet surfing and the usual office tasks.

Any suggestions regarding the Linux version?  The retailer?

Thanks!

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I have about 6 laptops running Ubuntu. It's perfect for what you describe. It comes standard with Firefox and Open Office for surfing & basic office stuff.

Ubuntu is free. You just need to make sure you have at least 8 GB of RAM for the latest version to run.

[GA Russell]

Thanks, Kevin.  Ubuntu is the distribution I read most often about.

Second place might go to Mint.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

8 hours ago, GA Russell said:

Thanks, Kevin.  Ubuntu is the distribution I read most often about.

Second place might go to Mint.

I tried Mint a few years ago. As I understand it, Mint is a graphics overlay onto Ubuntu that gives it a "Windows" look & feel. I used it on one of laptops and liked it. I was going to install it on several more machines but then an update happened and that Mint laptop stopped working. I switched it back to Ubuntu and I haven't tried it again since. I might try it again just to see if they've fixed that bug.

The main reason I use Ubuntu/Linux is because I used to get old laptops from various corporate places and these corporations deleted the Windows operating system, so I needed something. Additionally, these older laptops run super fast with Ubuntu.

[GA Russell]

Kevin, my hard drive is 930 gig, and I have rarely used 300g of it.  

Do you think I should try downloading ubuntu onto the half that is never used?