I'd say keep it basic with Ubuntu. It's not exciting, but it 'just works' out of the box and there's TONs of support if you can't figure something out.
Debian starting with Bookworm has all the advantages of Ubuntu with none of the drawbacks of being a Canonical product.
2nd. Ubuntu is the place to be if you want your best chances for immediate compatibility, and search results will favor your popular configuration if you have issues.
3rd, but I recommend getting the kde variety (used to be called kubuntu). This will give you the most windows like experience. Regular Ubuntu ships with gnome and has a different feel to it.
Also, gnome suxxxxxxxxxxx! There, I said it!
I love KDE, but Kubuntu is a buggy mess, at least it was a year ago when I last tried it.
Honestly, the best implementation I've seen is Manjaro's, with Nobara close behind.
I've been on slackware almost exclusively for 2 decades-ish. I'm team kde. I always liked it, but I had shitty hardware from like 2010 - 2020, so I was on xfce because it's a lot lighter. But I always had kde installed so I could use some of their native apps.
I'd say keep it basic with Ubuntu. It's not exciting, but it 'just works' out of the box and there's TONs of support if you can't figure something out.
Debian starting with Bookworm has all the advantages of Ubuntu with none of the drawbacks of being a Canonical product.
2nd. Ubuntu is the place to be if you want your best chances for immediate compatibility, and search results will favor your popular configuration if you have issues.
3rd, but I recommend getting the kde variety (used to be called kubuntu). This will give you the most windows like experience. Regular Ubuntu ships with gnome and has a different feel to it.
Also, gnome suxxxxxxxxxxx! There, I said it!
I love KDE, but Kubuntu is a buggy mess, at least it was a year ago when I last tried it.
Honestly, the best implementation I've seen is Manjaro's, with Nobara close behind.
I've been on slackware almost exclusively for 2 decades-ish. I'm team kde. I always liked it, but I had shitty hardware from like 2010 - 2020, so I was on xfce because it's a lot lighter. But I always had kde installed so I could use some of their native apps.
KDE Neon.
90% of ubuntu support will work with mint