This ideal distro for Linux newbies includes a bonus for Windows users

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Q4OS is a great way to test the Linux OS.
• A special Windows installer makes things easy.
• You can install and use Q4OS for free.

Over the years, I’ve claimed so many Linux distributions to be “the one” for new users. From elementaryOS to Zorin OS, the list is fairly lengthy (and seemingly continues to grow by the day).

Most of those user-friendly distributions tend to be based on either Ubuntu or Debian because those two platforms go out of their way to make things easy.

One such distribution that I believe could be the perfect option for those looking to make the jump from Windows is Q4OS.

Q4OS is based on Debian and provides utilities and optimizations to help create an ideal operating system for those who want a desktop operating system that works for them, not against them.

Also: The best Linux laptops

Q4OS is suitable for those new to Linux as well as those with plenty of experience.

I want to focus on what makes Q4OS such a good option for newbies.

It starts with KDE Plasma

Recently, I was asked what desktop environment I would recommend to new Linux users, and my immediate response was “KDE Plasma.” I find KDE Plasma to offer the perfect ratio of elegance and ease of use. KDE Plasma doesn’t strip away the aesthetic in favor of simplicity. Instead, it balances those two aspects to perfection.

Q4OS doesn’t do anything really special to KDE Plasma, because it’s not necessary. Even the vanilla KDE Plasma is perfectly suitable for new users. And for those with plenty of Linux experience, you can customize the desktop to your heart’s desire.

If KDE Plasma isn’t your thing, you can opt to use Q4OS with the Trinity desktop.

Hold on, though. If you open the Welcome app, you’ll find the Desktop Profiler tool, which allows you to not only switch to a different Q4OS version (full-featured, basic, or minimal desktops), but you can also install a different desktop environment. Click the right-pointing arrow to open the desktop environment selector, click the drop-down, and select whichever DE you want to install.

From that same Welcome app, you can quickly access application updates, codec installation, screen scaling, autologin, and view hardware info.

All about the apps

Next, we have an outstanding collection of preinstalled applications. You’ll find LibreOffice (which includes the LibreOffice database app — Base), Chromium, Thunderbird, VLC (media player), Strawberry (audio player), K3b (disk writing), and plenty of utilities.

If you don’t find an app you’re looking for, open KDE Discover and you’ll most likely find what you need. 

Regarding app installation, Q4OS does something I highly respect. First, the developers have included the Flatpak universal package manager. As well, they’ve enabled Flatpak support in KDE Discover by default. However, if you open KDE Discover, you’ll find that app installations default to Debian GNU/Linux — in this case, APT packages.

Should you prefer Flatpak, you can either select that option on an app-by-app basis, or you can go to KDE Discover > Settings and click Make Default next to Flatpak.

Also: How to simplify Flatpak app installation on the KDE Plasma desktop

There is one area that might confuse some users. There are essentially two app stores for Q4OS: KDE Discover and the Q4OS Software Center. You’ll be best served using KDE Discover; however, there are some tools you might want from the Software Center (which is launched from the Welcome app). 

For example, there’s the LookSwitcher app, which allows you to easily switch between different KDE Plasma desktop themes. What struck me most about this is that the installation of apps via the Software Center resembles that of Windows. Anyone coming from Windows will find this a welcome addition, simply because it’s familiar.

Also: How to choose the right Linux desktop distribution for you

The LookSwitcher downloads additional KDE Plasma themes (which can also be done from the Global Theme section of the KDE Plasma Settings app). You’ll get access to several themes, many of which resemble Windows in one way or another. I tested one of the themes (Future) and found it to be really cool.

Stability

One important aspect of Q4OS is that it honors the Debian development model. For those who don’t know, the Debian team takes its time with updates and upgrades. By doing this, you can bet the OS is as rock-solid as they come, and Q4OS benefits from this.

For anyone who’s grown tired of the typical Windows instability, you can count on Q4OS to be more reliable than any version of the Microsoft OS that you’ve ever used.

Get Q4OS

If Q4OS sounds like an operating system that you might want to use, you can download and install it for free.

Or, if you’re already using Windows, you can install Q4OS directly from your current OS via the q4os-winsetup tool. To do that, download the file, extract it, change into the newly created directory, and run the q4os-winsetup.exe app. When you install Q4OS this way, you’re setting up a dual-boot environment, so you can access either Linux or Windows. If you’re just thinking of getting into Linux, this is an outstanding option.