I'm looking to switch to Linux after Windows 10 support ends. I've got a few questions.

Hey everyone.

TL;DR: I'm looking to switch to Ubuntu Linux, after using Windows for all of my life. Mainly because my friend's computer can't run Windows 11, and I want to run the same operating as him. Is this a good distro choice? It works well for me, and I'm a bit used to it. I also hear there's Linux Mint. How well would it work for someone who isn't incredibly tech savvy? It does work well for gaming these days, right?

I've been a windows user for as long as I've used computers. (Yeah, I'll dodge my tomatoes right here!) I've also been using computers since I was around three years old to play edutainment games. So, I've got a fair bit of Windows experience under my belt. However, I think I'm about done with Windows. When support for Windows 10 ends, I'm planning on switching to Linux, for multiple reasons.

There are a few reasons I want to switch, but the biggest reason is: Windows 11 technical requirements, and my friends computer. For Christmas 2021, I gave my friend an old gaming PC that I refurbished, that a family member gave to me. It's an FX 8320, 16 GB DDR3, and an R9 290. Gaming together with this friend I've known since kindergarten is a great feeling. However, when Windows 10 support ends, His PC is not going to run Windows 11. I don't think it'd be a good idea to have him on an unsupported OS. However, whatever OS he runs, I want to run as well, so that if he encounters issues, I can help support him. Which is why when the time comes, I'm going to switch his Desktop, my Desktop, and my Laptop to Linux.

However, I've got a few questions. I understand that there are multiple distros for Linux. The one I have most experience with is Ubuntu. Again, I'm going to have to dodge more tomatoes, but it's what we use at the computer store I volunteer at, and I have it installed one of my laptops. People in the Linux community don't seem to like Ubuntu, but I think it works fine for me. However, what about my friend? He's not certainly not inept with computers, but I wouldn't exactly consider him tech savvy. Would Ubuntu work well for him? I also hear there's Linux Mint, which is very similar to Windows. Which would be a better choice?

From what I can tell, Linux these days works just fine for gaming. Most of our games are on Steam, and the few that aren't I presume can run with Wine. But, just want to make sure this will all work out well.

Thanks all!