@_elena if Debian or Linux Mint DE is what you're used to, there's no particular reason to use something else unless you want to.

If you want something more cutting edge, but you're nervous about a rolling release, then Fedora is great. It's stable and the transition isn't too bad for a Debian user. I personally strongly prefer dnf to apt, but that's just package management. I've used it off and on for 2+ decades, few complaints.

If you're looking at Arch, then… well, let's put it this way. Arch is one of the best distros you can lay your hands on… if you don't mind doing more system level maintenance and adjusting system files/reading release notes. Oh, and if you can read a man page and search forums before asking questions. Arch users can be prickly, but they also LOVE solving problems if you bring them the info they need and don't waste their time.

If none of that sounds fun, Cachy OS is an Arch based distro that handles the heavy lifting, has a less prickly community, And makes installing easy.

@_elena Arch requires witchcraft and dark arts. Is go with Mint to start. ;)

@_elena don't forget Ubuntu-based PopOS! Now I have its COSMIC DE happily running on Arch, Fedora, and Pop, but the Pop integration is smoothest.

@_elena I just brought a 2013 MacBook Air back to life too! I went with Linux Mint with Xfce, and I gotta say, it runs great now.

@_elena If you want systemd, then CachyOS. If not, then Artix Linux. Both Arch based.

@_elena go for Debian

Dear Fedi friends, THANK YOU for all your advice regarding Linux distros for my Macbook Air 2013.

I should have specified I'm NOT new to Linux, as I have Debian on my VPS and Ubuntu on a Raspberry Pi 4 (which I sometimes use as a desktop computer).

I'm now torn between Mint, Fedora and Debian... so I may pick Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE)...

I will make sure to document every step of the process and write about it on my blog.

Thanks again for all the advice!

@_elena don't need to be too afraid of arch it exist some GUI installer like rebornos or garuda.

I will personally not go to Ubuntu like, they moved more and more software in their snap store. Eventually Debian which is now extremely easy to install.

@_elena Either Debian or Fedora :)

@_elena

I read your content so for /you/ I'll go one further and specifically recommend you try LMDE (Linux Mint, Debian Edition) instead of the Ubuntu default. Hopefully no need to expand on this. 🐸

I *also* suggest you try Fedora in order to gain the difference between the RPM style distro and the DEB style distro. These require (and will teach) different types of Linux skills having to operate their conceptual underpinnings.

In my travels (old now), one tends to "speak" to you more.

@_elena Don't know much about Arch either, but Manjaro makes it quite beginner friendly.

@_elena REALLY good resource is Explaining Computers youtube channel, Chris used to teach computers and is REALLY good at explaining stuff and is a great teacher & AFAIK person in my conversations w him. He has series for beginners including https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8vmXvoVjZw&list=PL2m2YvnrOYxIsVz8Nvm1PpsBXdo7clAaR

@_elena arch has a learning curve, manjaro, cachyos endeavoros are more suitable for beginners...they are arch based and have less bloat than ubunutu based systems

@_elena mint. It has some foibles but it works and it easier to fix than the non deterministic mess that is Arch.

Background : ran Arch, decided my time was more valuable and infinitely better with a working machine. Switched to Mint.

@_elena it's pretty easy to swap. My advice: start from mint/fedora/Ubuntu, stay on it some days and if you feel brave, you can go to Arch. Personally, I'm pretty happy with fedora kde

@_elena Mint is very usable - one of the younger folks at our maker meetup installed that on a laptop as his first distro. Arch may be more than what you need (and is very bleeding edge). Decisions decisions! 🤓