Linux is one of the leading operating system and now it is available in several different distributions, all tailored to specific needs and wants.
Some Linux distributions are light-weight which will run fine on your old laptop, some are targeted at people who just want to try out linux, along with other main operating systems for learning or similar, while other desktop distros(like Ubuntu) includes a more comprehensive collection of software applications and also support a wide variety of hardware devices.
Some of the most popular linux distributors are Ubuntu(based on Debian), Fedora, LinuxMint, openSUSE and Debian and you’ll be surprised to know that so far there are over 650 distros in the worls according to Distrowatch, a site that tracks popularity of various linux distributors.
Determining the best linux distro for your requirement thus becomes difficult, so I have here simplified it for you. I have categorized it into following sections:-
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Best Distros For Beginners:
1.) Ubuntu (Desktop edition) is a great choice for Linux users who are beginners. It is based on Debian. It supports a large-variety of hardware devices, has a standard release cycle (every six months). It is the antidote to a world of uncertainty. For the wide majority of installations, it will just work.
You don’t have to worry about hardware incompatibility, software installation and the configuration. Insert the disc in the drive, answer a few easy questions and you’ll find you looking at the beautiful new design, the so-called Lucid Lynx. If you don’t have a great Internet connection, you can ask Ubuntu to ship you installation DVDs for free anywhere in the world.
Ubuntu currently has the largest share of the Linux user base. Ubuntu also includes an extensive set of open-source software to cover the needs of first-time switchers, but also includes only truly free software in its default installation, winning fans on both sides of the open-source aisle. Latest version is 10.04.
2.) Linux Mint shares much of its lineage with Ubuntu, but aims for a clean, green-themed, mostly new and better look.
Its developers have a strong focus on immediate functionality, with a large driver set included at first installation. In addition it also includes Mint Tools, a set of configuration apps and wizards that strive to make configuring and managing Linux as painless as possible.
3.) Mandriva Linux is a very comprehensive Linux distribution that can use either KDE or GNOME as its GUI, though KDE 4 is its default.
4.) OpenSUSE is another easy Linux distro that uses either KDE or GNOME.
It’s sponsored by Novell. It includes YAST, the easy-to-use configuration tool that lets you customized just about everything.
Best Distros For Experts:
5.) Fedora is a great distro suitable for varied needs – software developers and end users alike. Fedora uses GNOME by default, but KDE, Fluxbox, XFCE are provided on the installation DVD if you prefer them.
It offers many of the advantages of Ubuntu like excellent hardware support, a refined desktop and great package choice. MP3 codecs, Nvidia drivers and Adobe Flash are not easy to install, and get even less easier with each new release. Instead, you’ll want to stick with the open source options provided by Fedora.
But it never compromises. Its new version includes the fantastic, hardware accelerated, and open source, Nouveau Nvidia driver, while the new photo manager, Shotwell, is an interesting alternative to the potentially patent crippled F-Spot.
Version 14 is the latest Fedora release to tackle the growing popularity of Ubuntu, and as a result, it’s one of best looking and usable distributions around, regardless of your politics.
Best Distros For Older Hardware:
6.) Puppy Linux is a lightweight Linux distribution that focuses mainly on ease of use. Its a Live CD distribution that has a small installer and can run just fine on computers with RAM as little as 128 MB.
Puppy Linux can boot from almost all kind of media including USB flash drives, CD or a zip drive. Puppy 5 is the latest version based on woof.
7.) Xubuntu is a variant of Ubuntu is also a possibility. Xubuntu uses xfce, a desktop environment that uses less system resources than the GNOME that comes with the Ubuntu distribution.
The minimum RAM Xubuntu can be run on is 128 MB, with 256 MB of RAM strongly recommended. Xubuntu versions are also released twice a year, coinciding with Ubuntu releases.
Best Distros For Netbooks:
Netbooks are like your regular notebook computers but with small screens, consumes less power but also have less powerful hardware. Linux distros suitable for running on netbooks include Ubuntu Netbook, Moblin and Jolicloud.
8.) Ubuntu Netbook Edition, also knoen as Ubuntu Netbook remix prior to release of version 10.04. It requires an Intel Atom processor.
If you already have an Ubuntu installer, you can install the desktop version of Ubuntu on your netbook, and change the default repository to point to Ubuntu Network Editor repository and then install the relevant packages.
9.) Jolicloud is suitable for running on low-powered computers that don’t have enough storage space or memory. The interface of Jolicloud is beautiful imagery and different from all other Linux distros.
It is based on Ubuntu and so any app that works with Ubuntu will run on Jolicloud as well. You can download the ISO to install Jolicloud on a separate partition or alongside your window.
10.) MeeGo is a Linux-based open source mobile operating system project.
It is designed to act as an operating system for hardware platforms such as netbooks, entry-level desktops, nettops, tablet computers, mobile computing and communications devices,
Best Distros For Server:
11.) Arch Linux is a linux distribution aimed to be lightweight and simple. The development team focuses on simplicity without any GUI configuration tool.
But making well annotated configuration files and extensive use of shell scripts.. it is intended for advanced users who can work on command line.
12.) Red Hat Enterprise Server, SUSE Enterprise and Ubuntu Server are also possible contenders for deploying Linux on server machines.
Some factors that are responsible for its success are Red Hat are extensive security updates schedule (7 years), large number of new packages included in the distro and a strong training and certification program which is very useful for organizations that do not have in house skills.
Best Distros For Multimedia:
13.) Ubuntu Studio is explicitly geared to general multimedia production. The real-time kernel provided in it aims for intensive audio, video or graphics work.
Its main advantage is ability to achieve software processing with latencies well below the human perception threshold of 5 to 10ms.
Do you have any-other choices?
Not all of these distributions is perfect, but they will fulfill various purpose. If you have tried any of the above? Or have you tried one that is not included in this list? If so, what was your experience? Share with us. 
For experts, the first choice is Gentoo.
It’s package system is awesome. I don’t think it’s easy to beat.
Main advantages: Compiles everything from source. You learn Linux as you use it. You cannot say the same with the others.
Thanks to make us know.
I use Ubuntu and I like it. It still takes a while of getting used to…
Mark´s last [type] ..iGUGU InterneTV is now available
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For the most part, I think this list is pretty good.
However, running Arch as a server is a BAD IDEA. For a server, you want the most stable software to minimize the chance of breakage. Unfortunately, Arch pushes out new software VERY quickly (for example, it uses Kernel 2.6.37 in the “stable” repositories, even though Kernel 2.6.37 hasn’t been released for that long, so there are still chances of breakage). And you do NOT want your server to break. This is why so many people use Debian for their servers (older software, but hardly ever breaks). Arch is for desktops and laptops, not enterprise servers.
hey zachary
I love Ubuntu this is great Linux I have used.
Hi,
Where is Lubuntu? xPUD for netbooks?
Please read my blog for review of those plus much more.
darkduck´s last [type] ..Magical Pinguyn Tux
ubuntu is the best one and has a professional ui.
freeslasher´s last [type] ..HTC Incredible S Android Smartphon Apps Themes
Haha you forgot Debian for server
big mistake
zo3´s last [type] ..Le cheval de Troie se nomme expérience utilisateur
Servers: Two are always recommended – 1. Debian and 2. CentOS (read free Red Hat). U missed them completely.
Agree…
Seriously, this is obviously a person who knows nothing about linux and shouldn’t even be commenting about it. TO even suggest arch as a server is erm, pure idiocy, and why.. because it comes out without X when installed? ….
Seriously.
Yeah… because OBVIOUSLY X is very useful for manually editing all those configuration files. Seriously, what world are you living in… since when has a gui made configuring a Linux server ANY easier? I agree that Arch shouldn’t be used as a server but due to the fact it’s bleeding edge. Debian servers FTW! Also, not entirely sure I agree with RedHat as a choice… there’s stable… and then there’s out of date!
Never Ever, just ever try to install Xubuntu on a 128 mem system.. Not even on 256 you will are loosing life time. Puppy is amazing , simple amazing the sad thing is that you dont have such nice suport like the Buntu family.
Giuliano Lemes´s last [type] ..Disciplina e Metodologia Sucesso!
archlinux is the best,light weight and stable,pacman is easy and powerful
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I have an atom netbook (eee901) and have tried 20 or more distros over two years. I am particularly interested in fast booting, fast operating and low power consumption distros.
My current favourite is peppermint os (http://peppermintos.com/) beautifully put together, fast booting (from power on to wifi hookup and internet connection in 26s). But I agree that Ubuntu 10.10 is also good
I’ve never even heard of half of these!!
Then you don’t know Linux…
I have been using Mepis Linux for several years from version 6 to 11. Mepis is a Debian system. Need a file such as a graph program like Photoshop then use the application Synaptic to download and install Gimp just by clicking on the check box beside GIMP. Then go to the Application Launcher/START in the bottom left in (KDE) go to Graphics then Gimp and click. All the good parts of Linux and ease of Windows if you like. Great Support in the Mepis forums. I have install and run Mepis on over 10 or 12 machines with only a few problems with wifi on one or two that were laptops. No drivers to worry about like Windows. Supports Nivida graphics as I am running 1600 x 900 resolution. Try it!
“Ease of Windows?” That’s a good one!
Win 7 has extraordinarily good/easy system settings configuration tools. No config files to edit ! Also, hardware driver support is 100%, *very* unlike all flavors of Linux and OS X. All other OS features I’m not going to comment on.
Ubuntu 11.04 (I use ubuntu alternate install cd)
Then you have unity and gnome.
Then install KDE and xfce
Then you have the choice of 4 different desktop managers:
Unity, gnome, kde or xfce (all programs to be used interchangeably)
Then use xfce as the default – then you have a very fast desktop without any fancy 3d -or themes or complicated setups.
In windows and Mac you only have one desktop manager, but in above you can choose which one you like best
@user
Wrong. The Windows-Explorer-shell is replaceable; you can install several UI’s; all of them with thier own look & feel.
I love Ubuntu 10.10 It is fantastic.
Hi guys ,
till now, i have seen many linux distro, but the cleanest out of all is Linux mint.
Do go tomy group on facebook for more information which is :
http://www.facebook.com/groups/172310536150817?ap=1
Arch is perfect for servers. Just make sure you use the LTR kernel.
What distro would you recommend for those making the trip over from Windows?
Ubuntu 11.04, Enjoy!
i have 4 notebooks(everybody gives me their broken shit to fix)pinguy, jolicloud, mint, or just ubuntu. right now, i am liking pinguy. they all load with a gui and you can still have the terminal. i have two old desktops and i am here trying to find the best server OS for them. like you, i assume, i am also weak in the linux language.
First time users will probably like the ease of installation and use of Ubuntu, along with all the free software packages that they can examine and or load.
I have used near about 10 linux distros. After using all of these, I think ubuntu linux is the best linux distro. It is easy to use, very secured and good looking.
According to my linux concept and experience, debian is the best for server and for home users ubuntu is the best.
hey everybody, forget about linux as server, try FREEBSD it’s a very very realiable server.
thank for sharing. I use xubuntu in my laptop
rich feature and use low memory usage than ubuntu 
I use Ubuntu Linux to my desktop. I love it
The best distro in my opinion for a user coming from Windows is Zorin. Looks very similar to Windows 7 and is pure Linux. Very easy to install and use. We are switching the local town government to it. Here is the website: http://zorin-os.com/
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Hi – I need some advise on which linux is best for my needs. I want to install Zend Server in a local network environment at home. I currently have two iMacs (with Zend Studio IDE installed and Zend Server CE) and a windows laptop. I am completely new to Unix and looking for a distro that will serve me well as a server platform and one that has a great community, forum support, articles, and last but not least – easily configurable by a new comer or at least has excellent user support base/articles that can help out when lost.
I personally like Ubuntu with KDE4 (not Kubuntu-Desktop package). So far I have not had any real issues with it.