Which member of the Ubuntu Linux family would be best for me?

Question

I'm an average user who is interested in switching to a Linux distro from Windows XP at some point in the near future. I've used Windows OS's pretty exclusively since about 1993, and I've heard that all of the Ubuntu distros are very good for Linux noobs. I am concerned about system resource usage, but I also want something that looks and feels similar to what I'm accustomed to. Is there a significant difference between the look and feel of Xubuntu, Kubuntu, and Ubuntu? I've already ruled out Edubuntu since I don't need a lot of those software packages.

Answer 1

I would personally recommend the basic (GNOME) Ubuntu. It is IMO, the simplest and easiest to use. Also, since more people use it, you get better community support. If this is your first Linux, then go for GNOME, since KDE is a little more advanced and complicated.



Xubuntu uses Xfce instead of GNOME or KDE. Xfce is made to be a sort of "light GNOME". I've never actually used it, but I really recommend it if your PC has less than 256 mb of RAM.



Also, be aware that each Desktop Environment and Ubuntu flavour comes with a different set of applications. For example, if I remember correctly, Ubuntu comes with OpenOffice.org, Kubuntu with Koffice, and Xubuntu with GNOME-office (Abiword and Gnumeric). Xubuntu and Ubuntu come with Firefox, Kubuntu comes with Konqueror. And so on.

Answer 2

Kubuntu is just Ubuntu but with KDE (Kool Desktop

Environment) as the GUI instead of Gnome.



Xubuntu is for older computers with less robust hardware.



I personally prefer KDE over Gnome and would choose Kubuntu.

Answer 3

Xubuntu would be the best choice as it runs the xfce lightweight desktop manager and runs real quick.

I have used xfce in the past and it is super quick.