I generally advise people to use Ubuntu or Ubuntu-based distros for their first ever Linux adventure. But Solus is getting so easy to use, and stable, reliable etc. that I'm considering changing that. For example, on Seven Forums, there is some discussion about what to do next January when Windows 7 reaches EOL. A lot of people are considering switchinf to Linux. Of course I heartily endorse that. I am really tempted to include Solus in my recommendations. I see it climbing on Distro Watch (currently number 7), and clearly more and more people are interested in it.
So, what about it? Is Solus now at the point where the average refugee from Windows can handle it, or is it still a distro to be tried a little ways down the road, when the user has gained some familiarity? I'm thinking about things like installing software, configuring, etc. What do folks think?
Recommend Solus To First-Time Linux Users?
I'm new to Linux and Solus was the best out-of-the-box experience, except the multi monitor support of budgie.
I'm basically new at linux and long time ago I remember trying Ubuntu and going back to XP 'cause it wasn't that easy and I felt more comfortable with the one I used since left DOS (first was 95 because I didn't really felt comfortable with 3.1) , but now I'm just so happy I can get independence from Windows thanks to Solus. It's true I don't know almost anything about Linux but this is definitively my choice and I'm glad I took it. Solus4ever
I recommended my best friend try it. Since he lives 500 miles away, I'm not sure how it's going or if he's really using it.
I threw it on my girlfriend's laptop and she picked it up in zero time. I do the updates for her, etc, but that's it.
I would definitely recommend it to a first-time user. In fact I already did ^^
Solus is the most hassle-free distribution I've ever used, and that's a big plus no matter whether you're experienced or a newbie.
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I'd absolutely recommend Solus for a newbie.
It offers great out of the box experience, easy installation of drivers, most of the stuff is kept at very current versions. It's also very stable, and hassle-free. Unlike Arch, Solus 's philosophy is to offer an experience that doesn't require manual intervention between updates.
That also makes it more friendly than Ubuntu, because upgrading between major Ubuntu versions rarely is hassle-free. The only guaranteed way to have a hassle-free experience on Ubuntu, is to do a clean install, whereas Solus is rolling. You install it once, and just update it periodically (new updates are released once a week, usually on Friday / Saturday).
The repositories contain all the major stuff needed by most people. They are small however, so it's just a matter if they satisfy your needs. They absolutely do satisfy mine.
For extra apps, there's also Snap, AppImage and Flatpak support. Here's an example catalogue of AppImage, Snap and Flatpak packages.
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People sometimes measure new-user-friendliness in a way that does not take weigh enough these aspects: (i) ease of installation, (ii) ease of maintenance (including how hard it is to break things) and (iii) continuity with people's previous mac OS- or WIndows- established routines. On these three aspects Solus Budgie beats any other distro I've tried so far single-handedly. (I've tried Ubuntu, Fedora, Manjaro, Debian, element OS and Linux Mint).
Of course, this argument owes a lot to the desktop environmnent, i.e. Budgie. So I suppose Manjaro Budgie or Ubuntu Budgie would come close seconds (which they do). What demarcates Solus Budgie from other distros running the same environment are other aspects, i.e. performances and modularity (but then I should admit that Manjaro Budgie does not fare worse than Solus Budgie even including these aspects, so between the two it comes down to one's preferences and purposes).
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Recommend Solus To First-Time Linux Users?
Of course!
In comparison with Ubuntu in Solus, there is a better order with packages. Yes, there are few of them, but I like the way the package manager works.
Let's take a synaptic from ubuntu. This is a nightmare! 
But I did not see more organized packages than Pamaс from Arch Linux. But it is more complicated in settings and finishing.
Yes, for Ubuntu there is more information and solutions, but not everything is so smooth, because there is a lot of information scattered around different forums. For me, Solus has only one minus. This is something that there are no mirrors in my country Russia and the packages are pulling slowly. Otherwise, some pluses.
Regards, Andrew Stolyar.
Russia, Kaluga.
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Only reason I am using any Linux now is due to Solus - I switched from Windows 10 to Solus.
I switched after trying many different Distros and having nothing but problems and issues.
Solus when I first installed it was at 3.9999 - I liked it because everything was point left click answer yes or no / cancel or submit the full process to wipe the drive and fresh install was easier, quicker, workable then any other Linux OS or MSWin has ever been. I run aftermarket gaming keyboards and mice, a TV flat panel for a monitor on desktop pc.
Solus has even recognized the 4 different headsets the wife and I use, also seeing when I switch to the PC Altec Lansing sound system when unplugging or plugging in the headset.
I have an old laptop Gateway with dual core AMD processor and 2 gigs of ram Solus Budgie runs just fine on it.
I use it as a donor for the next big thing coming down the Linux pipeline, to check to see how well they run compared to Solus Budgie on it.
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I'm going to be honest here and say I think it depends on the user/workload. If they're someone who only uses a few types of software and doesn't install stuff and tinker a lot, sure go for it. But for a NEW user, if they're also a power user who frequently installs (uncommon) software that won't be in the repo, it might be frustrating that you can't just click a .deb. Exception would be if that person is fed up enough with Win/Mac that they're willing to deal with this.
HolySoap except the multi monitor support of budgie
I keep seeing people say this but I can't figure out why - what's the big issue with multi monitor + Budgie? Only things I can see are lack of a taskbar on extended monitors (which I don't want) and no way to "identify" monitor ids (hardly a major issue). When I first tried it, I was surprised at how well it worked. What am I missing?
Just want to address your questions about usability and Windows refugees appeal.
W10 itself, plus the end of W7 will usher in a new population into linux, and you have a large population that have been foss for 30 years or more.
See fishyman65712 's post above. That's describes me perfectly as well as a lot of people.
Everything you asked is do-able and easy with an open mind.
Solus is incredible and the math is limitless with it--especially Budgie.
You might find this weird, but to boot this up every day is a pleasure, not a chore.
It's fine out of the box BUT there will be no more windows mentality, windows way of doing things, windows configuration, windows sensibility. That was my personal hurdle (grew up DOS then W98!) but I was going to do whatever it took to escape from Win. Open mind. Embrace the new. Cross over. That was the sell for me.
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I currently have Kde Neon, SparkyLinux, Enso Os, Deepin, Manjaro installed. I bought a new HDD and SDD in the last month, so I have ample space. So, I have room to see what others are doing and see what I like about them. I installed (and replaced) 3 distros yesterday after a quick check out and decided nothing making them stand out. Hee, it's actually fun for me to do this.
However, until last week, I hadn't booted into Windows (10 in my case) in six weeks. Linux suffices, and I'm happy to say that. I can play any game I have (Windows only even) under Linux and it seems to work fine, and many have native ports using the Unity engine.
Given that six weeks of being absolutely Windows free, I only see one photo editing program that won't do for Linux which I use occasionally..that's it for me. I use GIMP occassionally for quick fixes, but there's still some things I can do better in Windows there (possibly that's a me problem).
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brent Same here, brent, I started out with the likes of CPM, DOS, and then Windows.
To lessen the unfamiliar when moving from Windows to Solus, it might be worth taking a bit of time to get used to some programs that run on both operating systems, by using them in Windows for a while, e.g. Firefox for browsing, and Libre Office for documents etc.
Then a bit later ideally, IMO, if you can, dual boot for a while. That will let you continue to get your work done. The point is, there is an unavoidable learning curve, but it's well worth the effort and saves a very great deal of time in the long run (my experience any way).
If you're an adventurer just jump straight in, it's different but all still about files and folders, etc! :-)
johano Then a bit later ideally, IMO, if you can, dual boot for a while. That will let you continue to get your work done. The point is, there is an unavoidable learning curve, but it's well worth the effort and saves a very great deal of time in the long run (my experience any way).
I could've reworked my whole post into this level of wonderful conciseness. Using them both together is baby steps. Having WIN as a security blanket is smart. Not enough talk about "the unavoidable learning curve" but it is truly liberating if the effort is put in. Yes, agreed, in the end, whether mac/pc/linux, it's still files/folders/software.
I agree with the idea that power users might be better to start off with a Buntu based distro, just to get their feet wet; but that users who just do a few things could be just fine with Solus. Here's own experience: started with a brief look-see with Ubuntu 13.10 as live CD; then tried mint and installed it. discovered Zorin and went with that for awhile. Then the floodgates opened and I tried a bunch of stuff, including Solus. The computer I use for Linux is getting old (Gateway desktop, AMD dual-core, 6GB ram), and some things would not work right on it, including Solus. But I really loved it and was just waiting for a newer version to try, in hopes it would be more stable on this system. and it has exceeded every expectation. So much so that I am seriously considering putting it on my wife's laptop. I want to transition her to Linux by next January. I first put Kubuntu, because it has that Windows 7 feel, and with a glass theme you have the aero look. To create a comfort level. however, it has not worked out for her. So I put Zorin 15 on, partly because the install kept all her files and settings like bookmarks. Less work for me post-install. My other current Linux is Linux Lite. I really all three, Solus, Zorin, Linux Lite and will be keeping all of them. I may put Solus on her laptop, that way she can try both Solus and Zorin and see which she prefers. I'll be doing all the admin so either would work fine.
I like that Solus is from scratch. It is not dependent on Ubuntu for updates, and so on. This gives the devs complete control and flexibility in keeping it stable while moving it ahead. And the rolling release solves all kinds of headaches for the user. I love Linux Lite, it is so stable on my system, but you have to do a fresh install every two years. Of course a lot of purists do this anyway, and it's good practice. bit with Solus that is not an issue you ever have to think about again.
Meanwhile, keep the comments coming, it's helping a lot as I try to figure out how to advise all the Windows 7 users who may be suddenly very interested in Linux!
Louhy The taskbar issue is a big deal if you work on more than one screen (travel time of the mouse or if the taskbar is blocked by a game, ect.), same for wallpapers. You can't use dual screen wallpapers with a resolution of 5120x1440 pixel for example or one wallpaper per screen. Programs or windows are sometimes confused on which screen they were closed the last time or ignore it completely.
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I would not recommend Solus to first-time Linux users. I don't have anything against Solus. It is my preferred distro and the one I like best. However, I had a terrible experience with a friend to whom I introduced Linux. I recommended Solus to him and he did not like it. He ended up hating Linux itself. With all the benefits of Solus, it does have some downsides. The lack of third party support from a lot of developers is a downside to new users. Another major one is that, if they had used Ubuntu or Linux mint, they can troubleshoot issues much more easily on their own. Most people coming from windows are used to just 'googling' their issues and Ubuntu has a very large community. So the chances of them solving their own problems are much more higher. Solus does not have that level of support yet. They would have to use the forum and I know people who would think that is a weird and unnecessary exercise. Solus is still quite new and I am not going to lie by saying that there are no issues and bugs with it. New users would be immediately put off. No disrespect intended for the Solus team, however. Solus is the best distro there is, in my opinion. However, I feel that Solus is better for those who have some experience with Linux. We need to go a little more distance before it can be recommended to first-time Linux users. I know we can make it! 
Yes, I would agree dialinsp that if I were setting up a development environment, I don't think Solus would be my first choice, especially not for a neophyte Linux user who is a developer. WHen I was a developer, I wanted a machine JUST like my server, and Solus is not built to be a server class distro, but a desktop.
For a more casual desktop user (internet, documents, email) it would be fine (imo).
I'm using Solus for about a week by now. I was (and still am) a windows user. Back in 2006 I used Ubuntu Dapper Drake as my main OS for some time, after that I used all the ubuntu's distros till mid 2009 I believe. Always with LXDE for best performance. I loved the linux experience, but I got into some difficulties since I was learning chinese and I couldn't install QQ Messenger and some tools language related. Gaming was also one of the reasons I went back to Windows.
By that time I was using Windows 7 and I just got used to it, it just worked fine for me. So since then I've been using Windows and I was actually pretty happy about it.
About one or two months ago I installed Ubuntu as a second OS just to see how were things going after all this years, I didn't use too much because I hate the Gnome 3 interface, I'm used to the Windows interface and the Gnome 3 interface for me looks like Windows 8 (I hate windows 8). So I was looking for alternatives and I also wanted to try different distros (I tried archlinux before and I like the theory behing rolling releases), and different desktop enviornments, so I downloaded Manjaro Budgie to give it a try. I'm not gonna lie, although I liked it, it didn't seem very polished, I experienced some graphical glitches so I was researching a bit about it and found out about Solus. I realized soon after that many of my issues on linux are solved already, gaming on linux were never so easy (thanks steam), chinese support is alright, and most of the apps I use have now their own native linux apps.
For me, Solus feels like the right distro to start on Linux desktop for a few reasons:
- Easy Installation;
- Stable rolling release;
- Easy to use Software Manager without junk or obsolete packages;
I would recommend a Windows user give it a try, also now that we have snaps and flatpaks... You can actually install apps like you do on Windows. You can play many games using steam beta and proton. Most things I was doing on windows I can now do them on Linux pretty much the same way.
TLDR; Yes, I would recommed Solus to a 1st time Linux user.