linux Definitive: Which Linux distribution do you prefer? (2013 edition)

[Growled Member]

I think I finally may have found the one for me. It's been a long road and I've used a lot of distros, but I am using LXLE right now and I can't say enough good things about it. Never thought I would end up on an "old" LTS release. :)

[ViperAFK]

I always end up coming back to arch linux. Just love having the very latest stuff to play with :) I also like how all the software is 'upstream', no weird distro patches causing unexpected bugs (**cough ubuntu **cough) And I've actually found it to be surprisingly stable, considering its uncompromising rolling-release nature. I tend to have less problems/bugs with arch than I do with ubuntu.

[Growled Member]

^ My only experience to date with Arch has been Manjaro and it was a very disappointing experience.

[ViperAFK]

^ My only experience to date with Arch has been Manjaro and it was a very disappointing experience.

I tried it recently too, the installer silently crashed mid install for no reason, wasn't impressed either :p

 

Manjaro struck me as being quite amateurish, I don't get how its gotten so popular.

 

Regular arch is much better, but its definitely not for everyone :)

[astropheed Veteran]

Have been using Mint 14 for a while now, installing Mint 15 on VMware as I type this to see how it goes. It's a big contender for a straight up Windows 7 replacement OS.

[cork1958]

Ever since getting involved in Debian development I'm not sure I could ever change distributions. From a purely technical infrastructure perspective I believe Debian is far ahead of every other distribution. Although, anyone who has read my posts over the last year probably could have guessed my vote regardless...

 

 

And I thank you xorangekiller for being half responsible for turning me onto Debian even if you didn't know you did!

 

Fantastic, stable distro. :)

 

I've tried many other distros, but have just about always wiped them out within a month at the most. Have Debian solely on 3 of my machines, and they have been for a few months now, while the other 6 are Windows 7. Isn't any Linux distro ever going to make me get rid of Windows 7 though.

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

Yeah, cork. Xorangekiller got me into Debian as well. Ubuntu was good, but way too bloaty.

[Growled Member]

 I don't get how its gotten so popular.

 

 

I've thought the same about many distros, including Mint. 

[nabz0r Veteran]

I actually use Ubuntu at the moment but I like Arch more but the problem is that I couldn't set it up myself that was too much for a Linux n00bie and my vote went for Arch now.

[remixedcat]

Redhat devs... so that makes it RHEL/CentOS/Fedora

[Gallifrey2]

PCLinuxOS for me....

[simonlang]

i voted for ubuntu, especially as it includes lubuntu and xubuntu as well. for me these are the overall best distributions, you get most out of it with only a few tweaks.

[Bi4me]

Hello good people. I'd like to start using Linux on my laptop and I am hesitating on which distribution to use?

 

Which one is newbie-friendly? Ubuntu?

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

Ubuntu or Mint is most newbie friendly. Depends what specs you have. Try them out yourself. ;)

[TDT]

For me, it's Elementary OS. I tried many distros, including Ubuntu (I hate it), Mint and the latest, openSUSE, but Elementary is absolutely beautiful and, tweaked a little after the installation, becomes a real alternative to Windows or others. Running it right now and I love it! :)

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

Linux is not Windows.  :rofl:

[TDT]

Obviously, but for anyone coming from a Windows system Linux should provide alternatives or methods to run the needed software (Wine, Crossover, VMWare, etc.). That's what I'm talking about :)

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

I know, just messing with ya. :)

[TDT]

You're mean, I hate you.  :rolleyes:

[Growled Member]

For me, it's Elementary OS. I tried many distros, including Ubuntu (I hate it), Mint and the latest, openSUSE, but Elementary is absolutely beautiful and, tweaked a little after the installation, becomes a real alternative to Windows or others. Running it right now and I love it! :)

 

It is beautiful. That's one thing that Linux as a whole falls down on. Looks play a huge part for most average users, and overall most Linux distros out of the box do not look good.

[Art_X]

Used to be Gentoo for me, but video issues are driving me mad, dont know if its a configuration issue or a kernel issue, so close to going back to windows

[Growled Member]

Used to be Gentoo for me, but video issues are driving me mad, dont know if its a configuration issue or a kernel issue, so close to going back to windows

 

Do you have this video issues on all distros? Maybe someone here can help you.

[spudtrooper]

i can't stand ubuntu.. its the worst of everything about linux..

[fusi0n]

Debian for Desktop\CentOS for server

[fusi0n]

It is beautiful. That's one thing that Linux as a whole falls down on. Looks play a huge part for most average users, and overall most Linux distros out of the box do not look good.

.. I haven't looked at elementary OS before.. WOW this looks awesome!