Getting started with Linux is easy.
Getting started with Linux is easy.
It looks like most of your queries have already been addressed. I’ll just add a bit of my perspective. I was studying earthquake sciences at university, and we were using Ubuntu on both our laptops and servers. It seems science software is primarily developed and tested for Ubuntu and Debian distributions. You can likely run them on other systems like Arch, Manjaro, or Fedora, which have newer packages, but you’ll need to be an advanced user since issues might arise. I don’t think I’m making a big deal about this, but I strongly suggest using Ubuntu.
I'll try mint 19 with cinnamon over KDE. Sure, KDE looks a bit like Windows but cinnamon makes it better. With just a few tweaks, it can feel more like 7 or even 10. You can also use time-shift to reverse mistakes, similar to Windows restore points—though a bit improved. I still think it's a solid choice overall. Experiment with different window managers and desktop environments to see what works best for you. Try minimalist ones like Openbox and i3WM, as well as more advanced DEs such as KDE.
I'm sorry if I didn't explain clearly. Let me try again in a simpler way.
Nanki suggests the cinnamon edition of Linux Mint. Timeshift is a tool that generates restore points allowing you to revert from a faulty kernel or driver setup. Simply launch Linux, and everything should reset automatically.
1. Linux tends to be lighter and includes fewer unnecessary apps compared to Windows.
2. They look quite alike as long as the desktop environment remains consistent.
3. ElementaryOS is a good choice—it was created with newcomers in mind, and Apple borrowed its style from Elementary when they developed OS X...
4. Just ensure you install a bootloader.