Which Linux distro provide the easiest transition from Windows in 2022?

Question

I'm finding that Windows aligns less and less with my values over time until now it feels like I'm fighting against Microsoft to avoid advertising and unwanted online account requirements, automated updates that interrupt my work, and blatant violations of my right to privacy on the computing device that I own. I already do all my dev work though WSL and from what I hear most of the Windows apps and games I use should work under Proton or Wine now too. So I'd like to give Linux another shot as my daily driver.However, I'm not interested in switching from fighting MS to fighting broken drivers and struggling to get things I need to run. I want as seamless a transition as possible where I install a Linux distro on my laptop and it "just works" (within reason), especially with regards to graphics drivers and so on. My laptop has a Nvidia 3070m and I do a lot of graphics work plus some gaming, so that has to work well.The last time I tried this, I guess about six years ago, the obvious choice was Ubuntu. Is that still the case? Or are there better alternatives these days? I hear Fedora and Arch mentioned quite a bit.

8bitsrule · Accepted Answer

Many people have tried and liked Linux Mint;[0] the 'Cinnamon' version has been popular with Win-expats.[1] For that distro Nvidia is sometimes a problem, but Mint has an active and helpful online forum (with several savvy experts). You might take a look at that.[2] You can also look at Distrowatch (right column) for popularity and reviews. [3]
I've tried the other stuff, returned to Mint 6 years ago and stayed.
[0] https://www.linuxmint.com/] [1] https://old.reddit.com/r/linuxmint/ [2] https://forums.linuxmint.com/ [3] https://distrowatch.com/

brudgers · Answer

Which laptop?Thinkpads and Macbooks tend to be less troublesome than other brands.Please note, I said 'less troublesome' not 'seamless.'Since you've had difficulty troubleshooting Windows drivers, at least you'll have some vaguely relevant experience when you switch to Linux. But be aware there's no equivalent to right clicking and running a program in XP compatibility mode.As for privacy, Chrome is still Chrome on Linux, logging in with Twitter is still logging in with Twitter, and Github is a Microsoft property.Good luck.

CoolCold · Answer

I probably do something in unusual way, but kinda never I have updates interrupting my work - it's a nice notice and possibility to delay if needed. I do reboots on 2-3 weeks interval on average when system needs it.
Not to mention this is actually Beta channel of insider's build and I expect reboots and updates to be much more often, but it's not.
Pretty standard win11 pro (had win10 pre before with similar behavior).
Taking other complains, but this one not I personally can agree from my experience.

7174n6 · Answer

Pop_OS by System 76. I run it on a Thinkpad X1 carbon and it's a pretty nice daily driver.

liveware · Answer

Ubuntu with the Cinnamon desktop environment works well. It feel similar to Windows XP and has the same default keyboard shortcuts.

farseer · Answer

Ubuntu is your safest choice. If Microsoft Office somehow worked on it, you'd never need Windows again but alas.

mobilio · Answer

Without a doubt - Ubuntu.