Linux Tips?

[Genersis]

I've recently formulated a plan to revive my old laptops with failed HDDs, by replacing them and installing a free Linux/Unix variant on them.

I've tried/will continue to try for a little longer Ubuntu.
It seems pretty...clunky for an OS, though that's probably because I'm still adapting to it.

I'm really not a fan of it's UI though, and while i'm now aware it's Unity UI can be swapped out for say Xfce or LXDE, this would likely be too advanced for me.

While I tend to be considered good with computers by my friends and family, I know that's just not the case, they just see me as good because I'm better than they are, so to speak.(Not meaning to sound boastful)
So any tips posted would likely best be in a language someone new to computers would understand.:redface:

I think I might try Xubuntu and Lubuntu, as they do have the different UI's listed above and are apparently less resource hungry(Which can only be a good thing...right?).

So are there any free distribution Linux/Unix users on here that wouldn't mind giving me a few tips on distribution of choice, usage tips ETC?
(I've already had the "Joy" of installing drivers, to make my wireless adapter function to be specific, so you can skip tips on that.)

I swear I remember at least one user on here.:redface...Defiant?)

[Corsac]

Linux Mint might be worth a try, its based on Ubuntu but the interface is cleaner then the Unity rubbish. I've not used Linux in a while though.

[dfiant]

I'd go with Mint as well, if it seems too clunky try the light versions like the XFCE.

Unity, KDE and Gnome 3 are graphics intensive and need propriety garphics drivers to drive top end graphics cards.

Another good easy to use flavour is PCLinuxOS

[Genersis]

I tried Lubuntu.
Seems quite nice, I prefer it to Ubuntu...or at least I think I would if I could get the wireless adapter working.
It refused to change to the driver I installed, no matter how many times I selected it from the list of recognised drivers and hit apply changes. It just switched right back to "Do not use Component"
*sigh*
I'll look for a fix tomorrow.
If I have no luck, I'll try Mint or Xubuntu next.

Thanks for the advice guys.mile:

[dfiant]

Mint was always a polished version of Ubuntu, almost everything just worked. Ubuntu (and the *buntu variants) have a notrious history of bad driver implementation with wireless, graphics and MP3 devices. Mint fixed that and is far more polished.

Mint, since Ubuntu released the aweful unity, has since gone more in it's own direction, away from Ubuntu and more towards Debian. That is to say it is an OS in it's own right and less of a copy or polished version of another OS.

Linux Mint has released 13 updated versions to date, and Mint 14 is in its first of 2 RC's. The final stable version will be released when it is 'ready', thats the difference with Mint developers and the developers of other OSs, they don't set themselves a dead line, it is released when it is ready. Going on history, Mint 14 with be released with in the next 2-3 weeks.

I'm looking forward to it, I am using Mint 13 and while it is great, it is probably the worst of the greatest in recent releases.