Ask Lemmy

Linux mint

If they are not savvy enough to do troubleshooting themselves or have no one to ask for help, I think macOS would be the best (assuming money isn’t an issue). Otherwise, Linux Mint.

TempleOS

MacOS if they can afford it. Otherwise Linux Mint.

Are we assuming this person has never used any other operating system before?

Because I do think a lot of the perception of Linux being more difficult is just because people who grew up on Windows or MacOS have gotten so used to those that the inertia of trying something new is what's hard about it.

If this average user doesn't need to use Microsoft or Apple software, Fedora Workstation Linux. My dad, who is 78 and of average intelligence can use it, anyone can.

Linux can run on older, used hardware, has no AI, no Apple or Microsoft account required.

MacOS

What do they want to do?

An iPad with a keyboard can serve the needs of a significant amount of users. I know people for whom it’s their only device apart from a phone.

A hardcore gamer will want Windows. Linux can play a lot better of games natively or fairly easily via Proton. macOS has some good ones natively but playing via Wine is more complicated. Some specialized industry workflows will require it. Windows-only games and applications are the only reason to recommend Windows.

Mac/macOS is great general purpose hardware and software. Good applications are available for art, science, engineering and productivity and it’s certified Unix. The ecosystem can be slick—Handoff from/to iPhone, unlock with Watch, TimeMachine backups, etc. Support people are usually native speakers from the same country. Some good native games and some through Wine are possible but Window and Linux have significantly more.

Linux can work for basic email, productivity and web browsing. Gaming choices are better than macOS but Windows is still better. They don’t have to worry about ads or the next interface fad being forced on them. They’ll likely need a bit more hand-holding and support down the road. They’ll need a Linux guy but they can be up and running on old/cheap hardware.

Linux (probably mint or zorin), unless they need some specialty software ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

MacOS.

I hate Apple, and I do not like how they operate. But I cannot deny how user friendly their OS is, how affordable their machines are (Mac mini) and how even those who do not know how to use a PC, can pick them up and use them.

Linux Mint is my second choice

Only Linux which feels like a normal PC, and 99% of features can be installed via UI. There are holes, and I feel an immutable OS would fill this niche better, but for now this is my number 2.

Fedora, now it's shockingly easy to use.

I silently replaced windows in the home PC and it took 2 months for the tech illiterate SO to say "WTF, why you put Apple on this PC, I thought you hated them" (put same username/password, same wallpaper, even Microsoft Edge)

At work I was shocked that I could login directly as user@windows.domain without any extra configuration. Plain vanilla fresh install, typed my active directory account for laughs, it worked 😲

Also at work I was shocked to see that I could just run the exe of the windows-only accounting software and everything works. I even installed LibreOffice in wine, lol (the accounting software needs soffice.exe for generating spreadsheets). I could even install foxit reader for windows 😂 (sorry, all the Linux PDF readers completely suck when printing, I need previews and booklet and all the extra features)

Linux. Hands down. Always.

New user? Try Kubuntu Linux

Power user? Eh, you can try anything but I'm still with Kubuntu because Ubuntu with KDE just works so damned nice

If you are mainly gaming, Bazzite. For everything else, Fedora.

Whatever Linux is being sold pre-installed on a machine within their budget.

Told my dad to buy a Dell laptop with Ubuntu preinstalled after his last Windows laptop died. He's been fine with that for the last 5 years.

Linux Mint

Apple for sure. I dislike them personally, but their OS has a great UI/UX and is very user friendly. And their stuff just works together really seamlessly.

But, if all they do is browse the Internet, Linux is also a good option as long as you're ready to set it up for them and answer questions. I switched my 75yo mom to Mint when Win10 hit EoL and she hasn't had an issue.

Mint, even though it’s becoming a bit of a boring hyped up answer. It does work out of the box and it’s got a good balance between being familiar enough for newcomers and a full Linux distro.

Also, I imagine the community must be HUGE by now, meaning lots of help out there if needed.

Mint and no shit.

Nearing my 60s, very satisfied Linux Mint user. Obviously, it all depends all what expects from the computer.

Sorry everyone, but I would go with either Windows or OSX, leaning toward OSX

If they are buying a new laptop and macbooks cost about the same what they'd pay for a PC laptop, the mac is a solid choice.

I want to say Linux. I use Linux (and macs occasionally). Linux is great. But macs are also great and work very well out of the box. So does Linux, if the hardware is fully supported and if you don't need any non-linux desktop software. Those are some ifs.

Nice post to stir some shit, OP. 🍿

Ask them what they want to do.

Gaming? Windows. SteamOS is great but there are too many games that require Windows.

Creatives? MacOS. Yeah, you can do all that (and more!) on Windows machines, but the creative space is largely all Mac all the time.

Office Productivity? Anything. Libre Office is cross platform.

Want to complain about how you don't fit in and it would be a better place if the world would just accommodate you? Linux.

Unless you are looking to learn nix, go with Windows or Apple. 

Unless you made sure all the hardware works and you want to fuck around Linux ain't for normies despite what this forum is going to screech at you.