Ubuntu MATE

Ubuntu Mate is a pretty awesome & easy to use free distribution of Linux. I have used it off & on along side with the normal Ubuntu distribution for many years now & this is my favorite of all Linux distributions that I have tried out. If you are not a major gamer who owns a lot of games that require Windows or does not offer a native installer for your games then i would 100% recommend that you give this OS a try. Keep in mind that when you load it up you will be given two options "Install" or "Try before you install" & option number two will run in live mode meaning if you are on the internet you can surf the web & use the features that are on the DISK or USB drive that you will be using to install or try it so no changes will be made to your hard drive until you choose to install Ubuntu Mate. A great feature, and you can just put this on a DVD to use as live mode on any computer even if there is no hard drive in it which is also very useful. If you need to save files while in live mode just save them to a USB drive instead so you do not loose them when you install it or restart your computer.

[ Pros ]

• 100% Free & Open Source
• Lots of free programs, games, etc in the Software Center
• Simple & Easy to setup or install
• Can run in Live Mode on DVD/USB Drive no need to install
• Can surf the web from the install Disk/USB drive
• Can install the OS or Try before installing
• Has support for things like Netflix
• Will run Steam for Linux supported games without the need of WINE or PlayOnLinux
• Is much more stable then Windows
• Doesn't have shady content like Windows & Spyware
• Doesn't have bloatware you can not uninstall without doing something shady like Windows
• Good support via the forums
• No more installing new bugs over old ones like with Windows
• No more Blue Screens!
• Actually Sets the right timezone date & time when installed unlike Windows
• Finds most of your drivers or an alternative so you do not need to waste money on Driver apps
• So many more...

No Cons for this OS & if you have never tried it I highly recommend that you invest in some bland DVDs or USB pen drives so that you can have at least one copy of this OS to either use to install for yourself, others, or run in live mode. There is 0% loss here no matter what you chose to do. Even if you do not like it & chose to burn it onto a DVD blank, you will at least have a pretty awesome Ubuntu MATE coaster for your glass, cup, cans, drinks, etc.

Whenever people ask me about Ubuntu, I always try to guide them towards Ubuntu MATE, because it has that classic Gnome 2 feel that has been around with Linux forever. I have been using the MATE desktop environment on my computers (albeit, with Debian) since it was forked after the disastrous Gnome 3 release, and I can't be happier.

Ubuntu combined with MATE is an excellent choice when considering different Linux distributions. Rock-solid base with a beautiful, functional interface.

You need to switch between LTS versions in order to have lastest packages. Not good for my usage. Might be good for you...

One of the best distros I tried, lets you choose DE style, has got Head-Up Display (HUD). Super fast, easy to use, full of useful features, today is way better than Ubuntu with Gnome, IMHO.

The best OS ever !!! I like it very much. Its beautiful and customizable