When someone in Málaga asks me to install Linux for them, the first question is almost always the same: which one? And it is not a silly question: choosing the right distribution is the difference between thinking "Linux is complicated" and saying "this is the best thing I have ever done". Of the big three, the ones we install most often are Zorin OS, Ubuntu and Debian. They are cousins, since they all share the same foundation, but they are designed for very different people. This is the honest comparison, with the real versions of 2026.
Zorin OS: the gateway for Windows users
Zorin OS (versions 17.x) is the friendliest distribution for anyone coming from Windows. Its desktop looks and behaves like Windows 10 or 11: start menu on the left, taskbar at the bottom, and you can even switch the look to macOS if you feel like it. It is based on Ubuntu, so it inherits its program and driver compatibility, but with an extra layer of simplicity: the app store installs with one click and explains things in plain language.
Its Lite edition, with the XFCE desktop, is the best option for old laptops: it runs fine on 1-2 GB RAM machines that Windows cannot even boot. What you should know before choosing it: the community is smaller than Ubuntu's, so there are fewer tutorials and answers; its releases are based on Ubuntu LTS versions, so they receive updates for about 4-5 years after each launch; and there is a paid Pro version (between 40 and 60 euros) with more layouts and support, although the free one covers 95% of cases.
Ubuntu: the de facto standard
Ubuntu is to Linux what Toyota is to cars: not the most exciting, but the one that never lets you down. Version 24.04 LTS receives support until 2029 (five years, extendable to twelve with Ubuntu Pro), and LTS releases arrive every two years. It is the distribution with the most users, the most documentation and the most tutorials in Spanish: whatever problem you have, someone has had it before, and the solution is two searches away.
Its software ecosystem (deb and snap) is the most complete of the three, and hardware support is excellent: when a manufacturer supports Linux, they almost always start with Ubuntu. The "but": the GNOME desktop is quite memory-hungry (2 GB or more), snaps take a moment to open the first time and some users dislike them, and although telemetry can be disabled in two clicks, purists find it annoying. For a normal computer from 2018 onwards, it is the safe default choice.
Debian: stability and free software above all
Debian is the distribution that Ubuntu "looks up to": the grandfather of the family. The current stable release is Debian 13 (Trixie), with Debian 12 (Bookworm) still supported. Its philosophy is free software: the base system ships without proprietary components, which sometimes means enabling the non-free repositories so a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth chip works. It takes two steps, but you need to know how to do it.
In exchange you get what servers value most: extreme stability. Packages are not constantly updated; they are frozen and only receive security patches, which means the system never breaks because of an update. The price is that the software is older than on Ubuntu, sometimes a year or more behind. It is the best choice for servers, for technical people who want full control, and with the XFCE desktop it is also light: it boots on 1-2 GB RAM machines.
Quick comparison by criteria
- Ease of use: Zorin OS first, Ubuntu second, Debian third.
- Hardware support: Ubuntu and Zorin are tied thanks to their common base; Debian needs more care with new wireless cards.
- Software availability: Ubuntu leads with its repositories and snaps; Zorin inherits the same; on Debian the stable software is older.
- Updates and support: Ubuntu LTS, 5 years (12 with Pro); Zorin 17, up to 4-5 years; Debian, about 3 years per stable release.
- Privacy: Debian is the cleanest; Ubuntu includes disableable telemetry; Zorin sits at a quiet middle point.
- Old machine lifespan: Zorin Lite and Debian with XFCE are the kings; Ubuntu is heavier.
What I recommend based on your profile
- Older person coming from Windows: Zorin OS. The visual similarity means they do not have to learn anything new.
- Student: Ubuntu. Endless documentation, all the academic software available and a huge community for questions between classes.
- Business: Ubuntu LTS. Predictable support cycles, safe updates and a mature business ecosystem.
- Old laptop (2010-2015, 2-4 GB RAM): Zorin OS Lite, or Debian with XFCE if you are a bit handy.
- Server or advanced user: Debian, no contest: stability and total control.
If your case sits between several profiles or you are not sure, that is exactly the conversation we have with you before we start: we analyse the machine, your programs and your skill level, and we decide together, whether you come from Málaga, Torremolinos or Benalmádena. We offer custom Linux installation and configuration, and if the full process is not clear yet, the guide to migrating from Windows without data loss explains each step in detail.
Want to see which one fits your machine? Write to us from the contact page or call +34 641 00 63 61 (Monday to Friday, 9:30-20:30). We test your machine, recommend the distribution and leave it installed and configured for you.