As of 2026, this is my favorite Linux distro
A report from Zdnet says the author’s all-time favorite Linux distribution is elementaryOS, an Ubuntu-based operating system the writer has repeatedly described as "your best first distribution." The piece notes the author has tested many distributions and finds elementaryOS the standout.
The review highlights the Pantheon desktop for striking a balance between aesthetics and usability, comparing elementaryOS to what would happen if macOS and Windows had a baby while remaining open source. The OS’s tagline, "The thoughtful, capable, and ethical replacement for Windows and MacOS," is cited as central to its appeal, and the distribution is praised for being easy to use without talking down to new users.
Consistency across releases, a dock-and-top-bar layout the author finds elegant and efficient, and an interface that rarely needs tweaking are given as key reasons for the preference.