Hello all,

My current operating system is Windows 10. I would like to install a Linux distribution that can replace Windows 10. I dislike Ubuntu, I have Linux Mint, and OpenSUSE in mind, but I just can't be sure.

I want to be able to connect to the Internet using a USB WiFi adapter:

I own a (Alfa Network) AWUS036ACH

Details about my desktop computer:

Intel HD Graphics 4600
2047MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti

Other system information that may be useful:

CPU: Intel Core i5 4460 @ 3.20GHz

RAM: 8.00GB

Thanks.

Have you browsed the available distributions listed at

http://www.linuxquestions.org/reviews/index.php/cat/2

Your computer will run anything but I have no idea what chipset is in that adapter and that is what matters. If you do not need programs that only run under Windows, like iTunes, you can probably live without Windows.

The dual video system can be tricky to get running right but there a lot of guides on the web...

Linux Mint LTS 17, from what you say.
Might have best wifi support. You might need wired internet initially. Try running the live disk and connecting to the wifi, then installing. Not tried it that way myself, always had wired.

Fred.

First off, I don't think I'm as experienced as the other good folks that replied; so put their advice in a higher priority than mine.

If you don't like Ubuntu, and want to try something other than Linux Mint, then I'd say you should go for what you have in mind, OpenSUSE. OpenSUSE KDE 13.2 is the current GNU/Linux OS that I'm using. From my experience it is a great OS just like most other distros. Although if you're looking to settle in a distro to replace Windows 10 I really think you should stick with Linux Mint. It's stable, simple, easy, fast, and I've had the best luck with WINE on that distro.

So in conclusion, if you don't seem to like Linux Mint for whatever reason then I would try OpenSUSE. But if you want very solid stability then stay with Mint. However -this is the awesomeness of GNU/Linux- you can try as much as you want and not have to pay a dime. Although you don't want to start distrohopping because it's one hell of a ride! :P

Also if you are still a beginner then you might want to stick with the Debian/Ubuntu family. It makes things easier because when you switch it's not like you have to figure out how to get everything again, and because they use the same package installer, blah blah blah. So if you don't want to stay with Linux Mint, but want to stay in the Debian/Ubuntu family, then look into distros like Elementary OS, Debian, Deepin, etc.

I would suggest you stay with the Ubuntu family. Kubuntu is a good alternative using the Ubuntu base. Ubuntu has the largest repos I've seen... Debian's massive repos + some. Also on websites that have programs not in the repos, if they make a linux version it is most likely packaged for *buntu.

I use Manjaro but I suggest you look at http://distrowatch.com and check out different distros watching videos on Youtube. Since you are coming from Windows like I did 3 months ago I would suggest a distro that uses Xfce because it's the closest to Windows in use.

Linux Mint is a derivative of ubuntu. Just a different UI and other cosmetics.

PClinux with KDE is another good choice and it's not a derivative of ubuntu.

If this USB WiFi adapter is the only networking card you have, I'd do some serious research on that card/chipset (rtl8812au shows this) before you commit.
Looks like the same chip as "Edimax". I don't know.
http://askubuntu.com/questions/49126...0130315-tar-gz shows it is possible and was asked only 1 year ago.
And if Ubuntu "can", LinuxMint likely can do also.
LinuxMint 17.x is based off of Ubuntu 14.04 LTS...
and it is more than just "cosmetics". It's a vibrant, robust, and stable OS.
I could run anything on my "beast" and I choose LM because "it just works".

Some hope here...
Also if your BIOS has an update, install it while you have Windows.

Consider Dual boot to test drive the OS you are interested in.
I suggest Linux Mint.

Speaking of BIOSes (anyone remember "CMOS"?)
UEFI/EFI or "legacy"?

Absolutely! If you can use a wired connection then you stand a much better chance of getting the wireless card to work (if it works at all) than if you have no internet connection. It's not very, very hard to get wireless working without a wired connection, in most circumstances, but it ranges from fairly easy to decidedly non-trivial.

Otherwise I would say that virtually any distribution can replace Windows 10, or absolutely none of them can depending upon which applications and hardware you must use. So, unless you've some specific application or hardware in mind which you would like to share, I would suggest just trying a few. After all, you will likely end up reinstalling at least once or twice within the first few days so just get used to it and learn.

I would suggest you dual boot for a while to test out the different distros. I would suggest Linux Mint or even OpenSuse

Also what you can do, just to try out different distros, is you can use something like Virtualbox and create virtual drives for all the different distros you want. That way you can get the experience of all the different distros right from Windows 10.

@ InvictusLatinus

Once you find a distro you like by testing it in a VM, reboot the system with the liveDVD to test your real hardware. Most importantly, the video card, sound card and ethernet/wifi interface.