i'm used to win7 but it's time for new os due to win7 eol.
i've decided to switch to linux.

- i use dell latitude e6440; cpu: intel core i7/2.9ghz; ram: 16gb;
- i don't play computer games. i mostly work on my laptop (libreoffice), i also need youtube for my job.
i need a functional, reliable and stable system. compatible with canon lb 2900 printer. nothing sophisticated.

i've researched a bit. i can't go too far at the beginning cause i'm kinda ignorant.i'm considering mint cinnamon or mate, ubuntu mate (i've heard youtube videos don't work in ubuntu (perhaps, it's exaggerated), and opensuse.

any suggestions

Most general-purpose distros are fine for basic work machines. I'd suggest making some live CDs/USBs and trying out Ubuntu, Mint, openSUSE, etc. and seeing what you prefer. I recommend putting your home directory on a separate partition in case you end up installing any and then distro hopping so you can retain your data across new installations without going through any annoying backup/copying processes.
As a side note in the Ubuntu realm, Kubuntu might be better than Ubuntu MATE if you're coming from Windows 7 with no prior Linux experience, since the default UI is easier to transition to (and KDE is overall more polished and much more customizable than MATE). And FWIW, I've never had an issue with playing YouTube videos on Ubuntu using run-of-the-mill browsers. Obviously individual experiences can differ, but I doubt it's something caused by Ubuntu rather than hardware.

thank you for the prompt reply and good insights.
i'll definitely do research on kubuntu and check out the distros

regarding kde (http://www.linuxandubuntu.com/home/5...th-pros-cons):
Pros:
The most advanced and powerful Desktop Environment
Highly customizable
Looks modern and sleek
Compatible with Slower/old hardware

Cons:
Some components like Kmail are way too complicated for an average user- it makes me slightly suspicious
If you read our Top 4 Open Source Email Clients For Linux, I mentioned the advancement of Kmail configuration which is not easy for a newbie.
KDE Screenshots

"I've never had an issue with playing YouTube videos on Ubuntu using run-of-the-mill browsers. Obviously individual experiences can differ, but I doubt it's something caused by Ubuntu rather than hardware." - promising.

Most newcomer, environment and pc friendly (less waste of resources) for your use?
https://www.pclinuxos.com/
But check first which wireless chip you have and this is valid for every distro.
The screenshots is the opinion of a newcomer just like you.
Maybe you won't like it, all we are different in thinking and tastes but to me it worths a try and you will loose nothing.
It's free software.

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I can't think of many, in fact, I can't think of any email providers that don't have webmail clients, too.

Newbie is all fine and well, but how long do you want to be a newbie. Sure, at first having to fiddle with Kmail might sound like a huge pain in the neck if all you just want to do is read/send your mail.
But...if you spent 5 minutes every day, or every other day slowly chipping away at it, then you'd understand Kmail just fine in the end.

Don't let 'complicated' things stand in your way, unless they are TRULY and UTTERLY complicated and even a slow chip approach would take simply too long, but I'd wager that Kmail is not THAT crazy.

Other than that, most tasks are possible in smaller chunks.
Imagine the most complicated line drawing you can, make it crazy, it's as large as a football field and depicts some hyperrealistic scene with an ungodly amount of lines, including crosshatching.

That is an extreme example but if you had infinite time, then all you'd have to do to replicate even this incredibly complex picture is, start at one stroke.
Stroke that stroke until it's second nature to you and you don't even have to think about it. You can replicate this one single stroke in your sleep, the angle, the weight of the line, everything.

And once that first stroke is as natural to you as breathing and requires no further thinking, well, simply go to the next stroke and repeat.

Eventually you will have copied the entire drawing. As long as you have the capability to draw one line...you can do them all, just one at a time.

That's my TED talk for this thread :P

Just because you use KDE doesn't mean you must use all the software it includes. You can change the default email client in a matter of seconds.

I've recently switched to KDE Plasma on one of my machines and there are some times I've felt like I'm jumping through hoops to configure things, but the point is, it lets me configure them which isn't always the case with other DEs.

You could always try Cinnamon/KDE for a week or two each and see which one you prefer at the end - you don't need to change distro to switch desktop environments.

lukakatoma, as suggested try using live CDs to see which distros you like the most. You can start with Ubuntu and Mint. MX Linux and Manjaro are also good alternatives.
Good luck!

my test Linux rig is a bit less powerful than yours and i've narrowed it down to 4 distros a mix of Debian and Arch based haha In no particular order

Manjaro Linux
Linux Mint
Endeavour OS
Bodhi Linux

lukakatoma,

For Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Debian etc, I suggest that you refer to this link in order to get your Canon LBP2900 working:
https://underr.space/notes/it/it-0012.html

Use Google Translate:
http://itools.com/tool/google-transl...age-translator

One relieved poster remarked:

I would not recommend any distribution of linux for your printer:

Not all hardware is compatible with linux. This is especially true with printers. Before purchasing a printer with linux, I do recommend cross-checking it with the compatibility database maintained at openprinting.org. Alas, a query for your Canon lb2900, which I suspect is actually the Canon LBP 2900, yielded the dreadful "Paperweight" verdict :|

Instead of giving up on linux, however, I would replace the printer.

When I was printer shopping, HP came to mind, because I've noticed the HPLIP package that came with slackware linux (and most other distros ship with it too). HP also publishes its own list of https://developers.hp.com/hp-linux-i..._devices/index. I ended up with the HP LaserJet Pro m201dw Printer from nearest office supply store. It has been hassle free for years. Using the hp-setup tool from the CLI was easy, and that tool configured the Common Unix Printing System for me. After that it prints with ctrl-p as in most environments.

As far as choosing a distro, the ideas and ideals of gnu/linux are worth a read!

Well, if you get an HP printer from that list you know it'll work without having to go to a translated Russian tutorial But looks like, if beachboy2's relieved poster testimony is accurate, that a workaround for your printer was discovered.

Beware of that printer site, which is often very out-of-date! If you have got the Canon LBP 2900, then here's the support:
https://asia-canon.com/canon-lbp-2900-driver/
There are very few unsupported printers these days.

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The "good choice" depends first on how much ram you have nowadays.

To have a performing system with "only" 4GB ram most suitable and easiest are in order PCLinuxOS and MXLinux if you need desktop environments resembling windows7 or 8 with classic shell.

Anyway your suggestion to check with a live is the best, everyone has it's own feeling.

To check if the printer is supported out of the box it's simply enough to put in a search engine

or

OP said they have 16 GB of RAM, so I don't think that'll be an issue with any general-purpose distro.

I hope that not only the OP will read this thread so maybe staying general we will help others too and we will avoid a bunch of other threads on the same topic. :-D