| Ubuntu |
Probably the most popular Linux distro for the desktop user, it has a wide range of hardware support that is auto-configuring. Our personal favourite, the default install utilises the Gnome window manager. |
| Kubuntu |
Built upon many of the same components as Ubuntu, Kubuntu installs with the KDE window manager by default and a different choice of default installed applications. Which you choose is purely a matter of personal taste. |
| Xubuntu |
This is the lightweight Ubuntu variant, which installs with the graphically less demanding XFCE window manager and a choice of lighter applications by default. Suitable for older computers. |
| Fedora |
As the base of the famous Red Hat Linux, it is the development version and is not commercially supported by Red Hat, although it has a very large community behind it. The package management system is not as robust as the Ubuntu variants though. |
| PCLinuxOS |
Based upon Mandrake Linux, PCLinuxOS is an English-only distribution with a nice user interface. |
| OpenSuse |
Sponsored by Novell, this distribution is more popular in Europe than in the US. Novell's involvement has provided the financial leg-up needed to make this distribution a global contender. |
| Knoppix |
When it comes to hardware support, nothing quite compares with Knoppix. It can boot the most obscure hardware and is available as a LiveCD for you to try first. Put together in Germany, it is pure "Deutsche-Qualität"! |
| Gentoo |
Want to get your hands dirty? Only for the brave, Gentoo differs from other distributions: Its range of packages is bleeding-edge; The package management system (Portage) downloads the source code for all components and compiles them specifically for your processor architecture. Everything is configurable. This is the fastest Linux distribution, but prone to instability. |