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Since it's a laptop, for whichever distros you're considering I would absolutely check for any compatibility issues or weirdness others have experienced (things like sleep/wake, power management, wifi, webcam, any other features on the laptop).
What laptop is it?
Laptops + Linux = 💥 in a lot of cases
Try to ensure it is not their only computer.
Do not use Cosmic for this brand new user.
It's still beta, and I assume your goal is to have them keep using Linux.
Ubuntu or Mint for new users.
I vote Mint, but either works.
Never Ubuntu. Never Canonical.
Mint is a good choice if they can stomach Cinnamon. My top recommendations are still Bazzite for gamers and Fedora KDE or everyone else.
But it’s easier to install software on Ubuntu as it has snap and install instructions for nearly everything
Frankly, Canonical isn’t really bad
Like what, snap and some links with Israel somewhere? A bit of telemetry in the top. That’s it?
As you consider helping them install Linux, remember that you will be the default IT person for them. Whether it's user error, computer malfunctions, or figuring out how to add a new feature, you will be the one to ask about it.
... and the rest.
Card details stolen? "I never should have installed linux"
Take stock of what applications they currently use on windows and see what alternatives exist.
Verify and Test the backup of the data they want to keep.
Honestly, tell them to get a Mac. It runs certified UNIX. You get to think it's cool, they get to get by not caring what that means. The M4 Mac is like $500 and it kicks the tar outta PCs that aren't meant for gaming. Even still, it can run Cyberpunk. But it's not a gaming machine and shouldn't be viewed as one.
In my experience, while Linux has never been hard for me to use, the problem you're going to run into in telling your friend or family member to install this cool free hacker OS or whatever it is you try to sell it as, the second they run into a problem, they're going to come to you to fix it.
That said, I'd tell them to install Ubuntu if I wanted to take on that level of responsibility. By telling them to just get a Mac, I'm doing a few things. One, I'm getting someone out from under Microsoft's thumb. Maybe you don't think Apple is much better, but they're a lot better. Maybe not the best, but a fine alternative to Microsoft. Two, I'm making them a customer of a company that has good tech support. "Call them, not me, you got a free year of AppleCare, use it!" Three, I'm turning them on to a good computer.
Someone who needs help installing Linux is not going to be a self sufficient Linux user who will contribute in any more a meaningful way other than metrics (which aren't tracked by a lot of distros). Someone who is those latter things won't really need your help installing it, but they may come to you for advice on which distro to go with.
I'm not saying Linux is only for computer geeks and scientists, though it does attract that sort. I'm not saying new people shouldn't be introduced to Linux, just that they shouldn't be pushed in the deep end and expected to swim. Because now you're either a lifeguard, or you've contributed to a bigger problem — helping them to navigate from Linux to something like Windows or macOS (and now they trust you less).
Apple is absolutely not better than Microsoft lol.
Besides that: Agreed.
Why?
Are we so used to privacy being up for sale that we just roll on it? Nah, screw that.
Apple also collects the data. Just isnt selling it itself but certainly the ad-space.
And that is enough to me to vall it double dipping.
Well, I was asked for help. I did not bring that up, they did. Also, we are both in CS… I might just check if the Linux installation party is still a thing here as it was years ago. Maybe that could be useful as well
What country/city is CS?
Computer Science
I think in this scenario OOP is better off just helping his friend get Linux set up, as requested.
But, by and large, I agree with your stance on Mac computers.
They typically just work, the build quality is usually phenomenal, and most importantly, no Microsoft.
I can't imagine the levels of pain I would be in if I had to provide tech support for my elderly parents Microsoft Windows experience. Thank God they use all Apple products.
I think, if you don’t intend to tinker, the newest Ubuntu is a valid option as well.
I don’t say I like Ubuntu, but I am not the target. I think common Windows and mac user will still have their best linux time on Ubuntu.
Just make sure, that they stay up to date and get their software mostly from snapstore (which I for myself don’t even really like).
Most common software will just work, as it does on macOS.
I cautiously agree, I feel like I'd be fine with Ubuntu... but I'm also tech savvy. So I have to be cautious I do not assume my expertise is shared by others. What might be a speed bump for me might be a show stopper for someone else.
I work with people who don't understand why my iPhone has features theirs don't, looks differently from theirs. Like I'm some kind of hacker. Um, no, I just installed the Liquid Ass update last month. I mean that's when it was publicly released. I've been in the public beta since July. But users have had access to it for nearly a month. But just doing a system update is beyond some people. They gotta be walked through it.
Partition scheme