Linux for newbies
Linux for newbies
I’m leaning toward Ubuntu in this situation. Pop is built for particular hardware configurations and lacks sufficient documentation on its unique features compared to Ubuntu, which often results in unexpected issues. Manjaro, being a continuous release platform, isn’t ideal for occasional use.
The home directory functions similarly to your user folder in Windows. Linux enables you to set up the entire system like a Windows installation on a single HDD. You can also divide it so that during a reinstall you keep your files and photos safely stored. A simple online search will guide you through the process during setup.
I generally align with @Sauron, except when choosing Linux Mint instead of Ubuntu. For older systems and those who don’t like systemd, Devuan is a better option. Have you used systemd on a P4 or Core2 Duo? It functions, but it’s quite sluggish—like thick molasses. On any Pentium it’s practically unusable. I’ve heard these kinds of setups are becoming rare, but people still want to give them a second life. Stick with Devuan, yeah!
I've never encountered data showing a major performance drop when using systemd instead of common alternatives... I'd say Devuan stays light since it relies on a minimal DE and doesn't start with many services, which isn't systemd-dependent.