'sup? So, I am a beginner that has an old Samsung laptop from 2013 with an i3 4005U, a GeForce 710M, 500GB HDD (I will probably upgrade it to an SSD, but not for now.), 4GB 1600 MHz DDR3L RAM (the same for the HDD, will probably upgrade to 8GB some time.). It currently has Windows 10 Home but Linux is probably lighter (right?) so thats why I want to use it (+customization). I plan on dual booting the two since i might still need Windows for some cases. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
(Note: I'm planning on using Linux Mint [which version should I use?] or Pop!_OS, but might look at Zorin OS Elementary OS, Deepin and maaaaaybe Ubuntu and it's flavors. I don't really have an idea on desktop environments. need suggestions.)
(repost because wrong language)
Go with XFCE, it is perfect to start from. You will get a feeling for linux in a fairly intuitive environment. Then you can easily move on to other stuff if you want to. You can install multiple DEs/WMs and choose which one you want from the log in screen. You can install as many as you have disk space for.
One thing to know about the concept of "customization" in linux. It is on a whole other level than you may be thinking of. On linux when people say something is customizable, especially when you start reading phrases like "infinitely customizable" what it might means is that you must configure it to even open it. And to do that you will first have to spend a bunch of time learning about the application's conventions, history, weirdsies, development environment, etc. You may also have to understand and be able to manipulate the underlying system architecture.
It's fun to do once you reach the basic required skills, if you are interested in that kind of thing. but you can only learn so many things at a time, so set yourself up for success by starting easy. You can move on to a more complex situation at any time you are ready for it. Like imagine learning to drive in a place you've never been with totally different traffic laws than you are used to, and also it's on the moon so gravity don't work as expected. Better learn to drive in an empty parking lot close to where you live.
First thing is make sure linux will run at all on your computer. You can install it, boot it, shut it down, connect to the internet, play audio, make a backup, un/install applications, and other simple tasks. Just go path of least resistance. Don't try to find the perfect set up. Just try something out.
SSD ASAP
Make a separate
/home/partition when you installthis will keep your actual files (documents, user configurations) safe(r) from screw-ups