Even if you do not want to use the command line/terminal very often, it would be worth just learning how to install, remove packages and update your system. Just those few things will likely make your whole experience much easier.

Try using Linux off a live boot thumbdrive. Then you can figure out what you need to figure out before committing. You can even test out different distros. Just get as fast of a thumb drive as you can or Linux will feel pretty slow.

Ignore all the well-meaning geeks here urging you to become a full-time programmer, go with either of the choices you suggest, and just follow the prompts. You’ll find it’s all incredibly easy and that you’re worrying for nothing.

If you want to tweak things, then think about that later. Just get started.

This is from 20 years of experience. Personally I use nothing but the terminal and a web browser. But the reality is that you only need the latter in today’s computing.

So im going to but in. Im not sure on your particular use cases like proton vpn but I can say a few things. Not using your main system is fine. One big thing about linux is people who have not used it will be amazed at how fast old hardware can seem with it when they are used to windows bloat. Next I personally use zorin os which is an ubuntu spin although im slowly thinking about and messing with other things. Zorin’s schtick is an ability to change the gui automatically to be similar to several other things (various versions of windows and osx) but its free version immitates some version of windows. It further looks to be very stable os it uses stable branches (read older, not bleeding edge). I tend to not need bleeding edge so that is fine with me. Its an out of box distro so has libre office, iron (free software chrome spin), disk burning software, rdp client software, and just a whole bunch of most of what someone would use day to day all as part of the install. As part of that out of the box it has wine along with play on linux installed which makes running windows programs about as easy as its going to be out of the box but its not gaming focused like proton (talking the steam software not the vpn here). So I use it because I don’t do a whole lot at the operating system level anymore and just want a system I can get going and run with within the hour. Can definitely change the mouse pointer like make it bigger and stuff. Honestly custom mouse pointer stuff has been around so long I doubt it would be that big a deal on most system. Its ubuntu spin so the proton vpn should be doable. Im going to try and upload a screenshot of the gui software install which is just what you get with ubuntu I believe and I see proton vpn. Yeah I can’t figure out how to put a screenshot in a comment. Sorry but I assure you it has something showing up without dropping to the command line.

Unfortunately, based on what I saw on the Proton website, if I want to use it on linux it looks like the only way is to get it on Ubuntu, Debian, or Fedora using the console.

For official support, yes. Thankfully, ProtonVPN is also available as a flatpak. As such, any distro that allows installing (unverified) flatpaks through its GUI software store suffices. Though, not all distros are created equally in this respect. Focusing on Kubuntu and Linux Mint specifically:

• Kubuntu requires the use of CLI to set this up.
• Linux Mint, on the other hand, supports it by default. Though, by default, unverified flatpaks are hidden. Thankfully, you can change that in the preferences window of its software manager.

I use ProtonVPN on Mint, and I did have to type a command into the console to install it the first time, but I just click on the Icon in the start menu to launch it now. All the Major distros have an update feature that can be run from the desktop. My version of Mint (Cinnamon) has a little update notification icon on the bottom right just like Windows does. It’s pretty easy. I like Mint, but I have distro hopped for years, and I am mostly settled on Fedora, but I still have a Mint installer on a USB for rescue missions. Its Live Linux is great. Making the computer totally dead would require a lot of effort, since you can always boot into a live Linux USB and have a usable system. Heck, I have booted my Mind stick on a system with no Hard Drive and used the machine anyway. Linux is actually easier in that respect than Windows, since you never have to Putz around with licenses. My only caution would be to make sure you have access to another computer somewhere, in case you need to write a new USB installer. That’s about all for caution.

You can make the system stop booting for a bit if you screw up the install, but if you keep a Windows installer USb and whatever Linux USB installer handy, you can always get the system booting again. If you know someone who has done it before, dual-booting is a good way to dip your toe in. I keep a small windows install on most of my systems, just in case I have that one app or whatever I need to run, but I almost never boot into Windows anymore.

I went with Mint and it is great. Gives me Windows 98 vibes, inca good way. It is really intuitive.

You will need the terminal only for some more advanced stuff and maybe some setup steps, like getting Proton VPN. You really just copy and paste the commands Proton has in their instructions, that’s it. Mint is not officially supported but works fine - only issue I have is that while it launches on startup just fine, I have to connect manually. Support wouldn’t help as Mint is “not officially supported” but that’s about it.

Switching to Linux looks like a monumental task at first, but once you establish a beginer friendly distro you’d like to use it’s really straightforward. I can vouch for Mint in this regard.

1. I don’t want to use the command window for everything, or really much of anything, at least at the start.

With many of the modern distros, you can get a long way without a lot of command line work. But, some interaction will likely still be inevitable. However, most distros include either flatpak or snap, which lets you download, install and update software via the Graphical User Interface (GUI). So, there shouldn’t be too much command line work required.

2. I currently use Proton VPN and I’d like to use it on this new laptop too.

It looks like Proton officially supports Ubuntu. And I would note that it expects the GNOME desktop, not KDE. So, Kubuntu will likely run into issues (probably the same issues as Mint). That said, they also have a page on installing on Linux Mint which seems to indicate skipping a single step. There are also guides out there for installing Proton VPN, without using the terminal.

As an aside, unless you need a VPN to securely access a remote network, shift your apparent location or for downloading/sharing copyrighted works, consider saving the money and not paying for a VPN. They are mostly just a waste of money for the average user. Sorry, I’ll get off my soapbox now.

So, does this mean I should use Ubuntu? And will Kubuntu work or would I have to use a different version of Ubuntu? And is there no way to get Proton without using the console?

Just going with Ubuntu might be easier and it’s the officially supported distro. If you run into a problem, you may have trouble getting support on an unsupported distro. That said, it looks like getting it running on Mint/Kubuntu seems easy enough and works. I’m personally a fan of the KDE desktop (this is where the “K” in Kubuntu comes from) and think it makes the Windows->Linux transition somewhat better.

if I’m able to change to a custom mouse pointer (I currently use a cute one that I’d like to also use on the new laptop)

Yup, you can change the mouse pointer. Not sure if you can import your current one, but that’s going to depend on the format and where you got it.

if keyboard shortcuts like alt-tabbing work or are easily configurable

You’ll find many of the shortcuts work the same. Even the ones using the “Windows” key are mostly similar, though you’ll see it referred to as the “Meta” key. Alt-Tab as an example works exactly the same. And yes, they are configurable.

I’m kind of confused about how updating things works on linux. Will I be able to easily update to a new version of whatever distro I’m using?

So, edging back onto my soapbox for a sec (you can safely skip this whole paragraph, if you want), the software ecosystem in Linux is a mess at the moment. It’s very much the XKCD Standards situation. First, you will likely have the main OS way to update the OS and software. For Ubuntu, this will be via .deb packages. You’ll update these via a command like sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade. The you will have one or more other package managers for containerized packages. This will be flatpak or snap. Why do we have one (or both) of these? Well, like a lot of standards fuckery it comes down to some very good technical reasons and nerds thinking that they are going to be the one to provide the “One True Solution”. And of course, that’s why we now have multiple completing standards. And then you get AppImage based software for developers who don’t want to be bothered with package managers and who hate security.

(non-soapbox answer) Yes, updating is usually pretty easy, but it may involve updating in more than one place. At minimum, you’re likely to need to do OS updates via something like the apt commands and also updating via flatpak.

Will I be able to easily update to a new version of whatever distro I’m using? Do I even want to update to the newest version?

Mostly yes and absolutely yes. For the distro upgrade here’s an example (not my blog) for the latest Mint upgrade. Pretty simple stuff. As for “Do I even want to update to the newest version?”, tip number one for keeping your system secure is: install your updates. This is true regardless of what OS you’re on. Please, if you install it, keep it up to date. This is what happens when people neglect updates.

And is there a way to be notified and set auto-updates for some applications?

Yes, and probably best to just turn on automatic updates and forget about it.

I’ve seen quite a few threads and questions about having to manually update things, but if I get an application from the software manager then will it be as easy as a clicking a button?

Yes, if you install from the software manager (behind the fancy name, this will be either flatpak or snap in Mint or Kubuntu) updates will be a one-click affair. Or better yet, automagically handled, if you turn that on. Turn that on.

I know I’ll have to adjust and just learn-by-doing some things no matter which distro I pick

Unfortunately yes, there will be a learning curve. But, I promise it’s not so bad and it’s completely worth it. And there are lots of folks here who will be happy to help (and a few jerks who will scream “RTFM!”, sorry about those, they suck.). If things get too bad, you can always go back to Windows, you have a license and it’s pretty easy to reinstall these days.

uhhh how easy is it to fuck up the process of trying and then installing a linux distro? Like completely-make-the-computer-unusable fuck up?

It’s really, really, really hard to get the computer completely fucked up and unusable, just by changing the OS. Seriously, the most likely way you would do this is by dumping your drink of choice in the keyboard because you got distracted. The great thing about software is that it is very rarely permanent. And nothing you’re doing here would be permanent. Go wild and try try a new distro. If things don’t work out, going back to Windows isn’t hard at all.

So based on all that, should I just go for Linux Mint like most new users? Or would you recommend a completely different distro?

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that Mint is great choice and the one I’d recommend. While I don’t use it myself (I hate myself, so I use Arch), it’s got a solid reputation, is designed to make the transition from Windows easier and uses KDE for the interface (don’t worry if that last bit doesn’t make sense, just roll with it). There is also a lot of support available here on Lemmy and across the web.

Personally I’m a PopOS enjoyer over Mint but that’s really not a big deal.

1. As for not using the command line, you can get away with it for the most part but you’re eventually going to have to use it for something. Your distro, whatever you pick, will have an app called “shop” or “discover” or something similar that will let you download other apps and updates (yes you will generally want to keep your system up-to-date). It’s also likely that you’ll be able to download and use Proton this way. Since Mint and Pop (and Ubuntu lol) are Ubuntu based, any app that works on Ubuntu (like Proton) will also with with them.

2. Custom theming (including mouse) well be pretty easy. Go into your settings app, find themes, and pick from any of the pre-installed onboard themes. Or go into your shop app, or even the internet, and download someone else’s theme.

3. Keyboard shortcuts are also configurable and most of the time will be the same as windows

4. If you pick a distro with a gui installer (all of your distro candidates do) then installation is basically completely unfuckupable.

Don’t be afraid of using the commandline!

It might look like you are citing magical words to your computer at first. But, since Linux is extremely modular and has endless flavors, that’s one thing tutorial makers can expect everyone to have in common.

Ubuntu (and Kubuntu, which is just Ubuntu with KDE Plasma desktop environment instead of Gnome) and Linux Mint (based on Ubuntu, but with a different desktop environment) are all derivatives of Debian. Almost anything intended for Debian will work on both.

You can install Proton VPN just be copying and pasting the commands in their official tutorial.

Updates are handled similar to Windows, while not being intrusive. You will be safe updating only when the OS notifies you about it.

Side note: since you’ll be using a laptop, you’ll most likely use display scaling. Unless it has a very high resolution display where using 2x scaling is okay, you will want to use a fractional scaling factor. Linux Mint uses an older display technology (for stability purposes) that does not do that very well. So, I recommend going forward with a distribution with KDE Plasma desktop. That one has the best fractional scaling experience so far and Kubuntu has it.

1. You don’t have to use it for everything, though prepare that a lot of Linux tutorials will have you putting commands there, because it’s simply easier.

2. I use Proton VPN as well and though I don’t remember how I installed it, I run it using a GUI, not terminal. Additionally, whenever you read a guide for Ubuntu, there’s 99% chance it applies to derivates without any modifications. Both Kubuntu and Linux Mint.

3. Custom mouse pointer - yes

4. Updating distro - yes, easy. App updates are also easy, it can be automated, though I personally prefer running them manually. It’s a few button clicks away.

5. Use a beginner friendly distro, of those I’d recommend Linux Mint, Ubuntu or Fedora (or its derivate, Nobara). If I had to choose one, I’d go with Linux Mint.

6. Installing Linux is extremely easy nowadays. Definitely easier than installing Windows from scratch. Making the computer absolutely unusable is really hard, pretty much everything can be fixed.

It isn’t really clear from what you have said if you are using a laptop or desktop. If you are using a laptop chances are you only have one primary storage medium, likely an HDD or SSD. If it is a desktop it is more likely you have or can have two drives. If you have the option of having two entirely separate drives you can keep Windows installed on one drive and Linux on the other. You could select your boot device on startup and the chance of one messing with the other is reduced a lot.

A potentially better way to learn is to either install linux on an old or spare machine or to just boot off a live USB. The great thing with a live USB is you can access the system, use the software management stuff, try out finding settings and getting things done, all while being able to just reboot and have everything go back to normal after. If you want you can even make the USB a persistent install, so changes hang around and allow you to keep using the system in Linux with your changes over multiple reboots.

That all said, my honest recommendation is to use VirtualBox or a similar program. VirtualBox lets you run a virtual machine and install Linux on it without risking anything on your main system. You can learn how to do software updates, install new programs, configure things, and so on all while touching nothing on your system. Your machine can keep working as normal in Windows, you can learn with no risk, and you can compare different versions of Linux to see what you prefer. The process for setting up a virtual machine in VirtualBox is fairly simple and should only take about half an hour to do, so it isn’t a big time investment.

Go buy like 5 USB sticks. You can turn 4 of them into distros that retain information. That is to say if you boot from that usb stick, and install a program that program would still be there if you reboot the PC. Normally it all reverts to default if you power down, but theres a way to make changes permanent. But you need 2 sticks. Which is why only 4 of your usb sticks will become distros, instead of all 5.

Now you can try out 4 different distros. I reccomend ZorinOS, but I can’t say anything bad about Mint.

Me personally, I hate Ubuntu. But thats the thing about Linux. My taste may not be your taste, and you can tell me to go fuck myself.

Zorin just seems like they at least TRY to make your life Terminal free. I recommend ArcMenu, and Dash to Panel.

I wish I could make a copy of all my tweaks, except as a “fresh install”, and give it to you. I have mine set up as basically “windows XP but modern”.

The two big things for me are 1. I don’t want to use the command window for everything, or really much of anything, at least at the start. and 2. I currently use Proton VPN and I’d like to use it on this new laptop too. Unfortunately, based on what I saw on the Proton website, if I want to use it on linux it looks like the only way is to get it on Ubuntu, Debian, or Fedora using the console.

• Complexity: have been using Linux Mint for a few years and I’m not an expert at all (50+ years old lifelong ex-Mac user, to give you an idea I got my first computer in the early 80s and it was an Apple). Everything worked out of the box (including my Airpods, and back then at least it was the only version of Linux that was able to connect to them). I don’t think I never was forced or expected to use the command line… but I slowly started to use it out of curiosity and I learned to appreciate it’s efficiency and now I love using it but that’s by choice, not out of necessity ;)
• Proton VPN: you need to understand that most distributions (version of Linux) are ‘clones with a few variations’ based upon a very few limited ‘originals’ distributions. Ubuntu is one clone that has become very popular but in reality it’s based on Debian, and therefore it uses Debian installer package (DEB). MInt being based on… Ubuntu also uses Debian installer. And so is Kubuntu. So, if there is a DEB installer, there is a real chance it will work on most Debian-based distributions.

Proton: it’s command line. I use it too (I’m a paid subscriber to their service, just not their VPN, which is good), but the VPN I use is Mullvad… which is at least as good and has a graphical installer ;)

Just for reference, uhhh how easy is it to fuck up the process of trying and then installing a linux distro? Like completely-make-the-computer-unusable fuck up? Because that’s my biggest fear

1. Testing from the Live CD/USB, there is zero risk of damaging anything. That’s one fo teh first thing I fell in love with testing Linux myself ;)
2. Installing Linux on the computer, well, shit can happen. They are not usual but they can happen. Hence the importance to test it live before to see that most things are working all right. Using a distribution like Mint things should dead simple just following the graphical installer. The last time I installed Mint, it took me less than 10 minutes total (from the first click to me booting on the new installed system) and most of that was the installer downloading packages and installing them while I was drinking my coffee) But that’s the exception if you use something like Mint (I preach for my own chapel here because I know how reliable it is) with its integrated graphical installer. You simply click a few buttons and answer limited few basic questions like what will be your user name, what is your time zone and do you want to encrypt the disk (you probably want that at least on a laptop so if it’s stolen your data will be safe from thieves). It’s real quick process. That also was impressive coming from macOS (installing any new Mac takes way too much time, a lot more than it used to back in the old days.
3. No matter what version you decide to use ALWAYS BACKUP your personal files before installing a new operating system. It’s a bit like opening someone’s chest and removing their heart before putting an new one. It’s… well, better be safe than sorry. Do you value your personal files at all? Then you should have backups, and not just during install. At any time.

Also, I’m kind of confused about how updating things works on linux

With Mint, you regularly will get a little pop signaling there are updates. If you don’t like Notifications (I don’t), you can simply ask it to deal with updates for you and to not bother you (I almost never have to update anything myself). Then, from time to time there is a ‘major’ upgrade, from one version of Mint to the other. Here again, Mint will kindly let you know when everything is ready for your computer (which will not be the exact same day the new version is announced to the world, there is no hurry), it will tell you if anything needs your attention (and why) and do the upgrade for you (reboot required).

For all my life I thought in terms of simplicity Apple was the way to go. That was until I tried GNU/Linux Mint ;)

P.s. I’m sorry to make another “what distro do I use” thread, but I had some questions that I didn’t see answers for in the other threads. And honestly, I’ll feel a lot more comfortable with switching if I feel like I’ve actually talked it out with people who know what they’re doing.

Don’t apologize. The best thing to do do would be to:

1. test the the live CD and
2. keep using a ‘noob’ friendly distribution like Mint (there are obviously others, I’m just totally bluffed by how well Mint worked out of the box, and how reliable it has been for the now 4 or 5 years I’ve been using it. And, yep, I tried quite a few other distributions before settling on Mint ;)). Being ‘noob friendly’ doesn’t mean they’re a lesser kind of Linux, say, not as complete as Arch (which is another kind of amazing distribution, just less easy to begin with). It just means that the technical part, at least most of them, have been taken charge of one way or the other. The moment you need the more advanced/powerful tools, they’re already there, waiting for you to start using them: it’s 100% full GNU/Linux just less intimidating ;)

For new Linux users, the go to is usually Linux Mint (The Ubuntu based one). But I also like to recommend Kubuntu. You can’t go wrong with these two. They’re hassle free, stable and when vulnerabilities are announced, they’re practically never affected because they use slightly older and tried and tested software versions.

Unfortunately, using the command line is something you will have to learn. But as far as Proton VPN goes, you just have to copy and paste. It’s a no brainer. I use all their products on Linux and it works well.