What is a good linux build that is easy to use for a standard comp?

[randomuser88]

Im a noob to Linux but.

Hey guys Im wondering what is a good Linux build that is easier to use on a standard computer that I can buy from an average shop like Dick Smith or JB-HiFI or some shop. The build shouldn't take to much harddrive and ram space. And has a good solid interface that is easy to use.

[shrimply]

Well I'm nol linux expert, having never used it as a main OS.

 

In someway though you can't beat Ubuntu in terms of the sheer amount of users and therfore available help that is out there.

 

I've also heard positive things about Zorin and Zorin Lite which are less resource hungry, based on Lubuntu and designed to make an easy transition from Windows to linux.

[Plastic Nev]

I have tried Ubuntu, it isn't cumbersome and if installing to a new or blank hard drive is fine to do so. Remember though that installing to a hard drive that already has say Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 already installed, it will wipe those systems while installing Ubuntu. You can install Ubuntu alongside a Windows system, but I am not too sure about how that is done as I haven't tried that, so will leave it for someone who knows more to add further advice if it is needed.

 

However, you can download Ubuntu to a bootable disk and run it from the disk to get a feel for it and how it works, though being run from a disk it will be slower than if fully installed.

 

Nev.

[shrimply]

Ubuntu is very well behaved, long as you follow the instructions you won't over write a Windows installation. It allows you the option during the install to resize the Windows partition and create a new one for itself, it also installs grub bootloader to allow you to select between OS on start up.

[Plastic Nev]

Thanks for the clarification Shrimply, I didn't go that way when I tried Ubuntu, as I installed to a blank reformatted hard drive fitted to my laptop, so had no need for dual booting.

[Armageddon]

Zorin OS core 6 is the newest Zorin and looks and behaves like windows 7 and unlike lots of Linux systems comes with the required codecs for playing avi's and mp3's , Two more Linux systems worth looking at for ease of use are Pinguy OS and Linux Mint 13 , all these will run in live mode and if you decide to install will detect different operating systems and offer to install beside them.

 

Hope this helps

 

Dave

[randomuser88]

Thanks I'll get zorin