You can run Linux on pretty much anything. I'm not even joking.  

Linux is amazing. I run it on my laptop, home theater PC, the wife's laptop and my mother-in-law's PC. I could list all the great things about it, but instead I'll just direct you to this link: https://whyuselinux.com/

You can use virtualbox to install Linux in a virtual machine on any of your current PC's and try it out without having to install it directly on the hard drive. Just keep in mind it would run as well and there can be limitations with running it in a VM, but it will give you a taste of what it looks like and how to use it. 

Don't get caught up by the huge list of distros out there. I've tried many of them over the years, and I've found that sticking with the most popular ones is the best practice as those are the ones best supported and less likely to give you any trouble. It's at the point where nearly anyone with minimal experience can install Linux on any PC with little to no outside help. I would even argue that some distros are easier (and quicker) to install than windows. 

For someone who's never used Linux before, I would highly recommend Ubuntu Gnome. Note: the current "standard" version of Ubuntu which comes with the "unity" desktop environment is being replaced by the "Gnome" desktop environment in future releases. Personally I am not a big fan of the unity DE, I find Gnome is much better in many ways. So that's why I suggest going with Ubuntu Gnome, specifically. 17.04 is the latest LTS (long-term support) version. 

One of the coolest things about Linux is you are in complete and full control of everything. If you want to keep things simple, no prob. If you want to tweak every single aspect from the look, feel and function, no problem with that either - go nuts! 

Some other distros you may want to try that are good for beginners are:

-Mint Sonya

-Elementary OS

Both of these use similar Ubuntu-based kernals and use the same trusted repositories for updates and software.

Additionally, there are various versions of Ubuntu, such as: Lubuntu, which is a super light-weight version with a streamlined kernal and stripped-down DE. This distro is ideal for older hardware with limited resources (slower processors and limited RAM, etc.). It's great for old PCs and laptops, and can turn an otherwise unusable PC that can't handle windows anymore, into a functioning/usable computer again.

Sorry for the novel. I just love Linux and want to help more people become familiar with it.   

I personally like the Manjaro distro with XCFE but it's not very beginner friendly right now. A few occasional issue pop up that linux noobs probably wouldn't be able to handle very easily.

@MEC-777 @DeadEyePsycho, Ah sweet, thanks for that! I'll have a proper read of it later on <3

Main question atm is how to go about testing/using it because I dunno if I'd ever consider switching to Linux on my Ryzen PC just yet, would obviously have to spend at least a few months trying out different distros and what not to get a general idea. 

I would try using a VM but eh I dunno so much  That or... I'll find an old PC of mine and try to maaaybe install Linux on that, maybe..

In addition to my question above, what would you guys say the easiest way to switch/try between different distros would be? Because it would be annoying having to constantly install>have some fun with [distro-name] for a while>uninstall a bunch of times, surely? 

Part of the reason I mainly wanna try Linux is because I wanna see if it has the same Steam-issue or two that I'm having currently and because when I eventually upgrade my GPU, I plan to replay+mod some old favourite games like Skyrim as one example that we all know and love and because I hear that W10 acts a bit strange. Was looking at some old topics here on LTT-Forum last night regarding this lol.

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Sorry for the novel. I just love Linux and want to help more people become familiar with it.   

No no no, it's fine <3  I don't mind having a good, long read like that above!

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In addition to my question above, what would you guys say the easiest way to switch/try between different distros would be? Because it would be annoying having to constantly install>have some fun with [distro-name] for a while>uninstall a bunch of times, surely?

As far as distros go, I can only see a few being relevant to new Linux users: Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, etc. You really won't notice big differences between any of them to be honest except for maybe how they handle packages and packages available. The biggest difference by far that is noticeable is the desktop environment which is incredibly easy to change compared to a whole distro. A few commands is all it takes most of the time. This is what effects your GUI and most of your built-in utilities. As for DEs, there are: MATE, Unity, Gnome, XCFE, LDE, LXDE, Cinnamon, Pantheon, some others I can't remember.

Just keep in mind not all DEs are available on all distros so find one you like.  

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Part of the reason I mainly wanna try Linux is because I wanna see if it has the same Steam-issue or two that I'm having currently and because when I eventually upgrade my GPU, I plan to replay+mod some old favourite games like Skyrim as one example that we all know and love and because I hear that W10 acts a bit strange. Was looking at some old topics here on LTT-Forum last night regarding this lol.

Skyrim doesn't have native support on Linux and I can guarantee it will run like trash if you WINE which will also make un-moddable effectively.

You could setup GPU passthrough to a Windows VM which would allow you to play those games and mod it. It will require a lot of work to setup correctly though.

@DeadEyePsycho,

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As far as distros go, I can only see a few being relevant to new Linux users: Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, etc. You really won't notice big differences between any of them to be honest except for maybe how they handle packages and packages available. The biggest difference by far that is noticeable is the desktop environment which is incredibly easy to change compared to a whole distro. A few commands is all it takes most of the time. This is what effects your GUI and most of your built-in utilities. As for DEs, there are: MATE, Unity, Gnome, XCFE, LDE, LXDE, Cinnamon, Pantheon, some others I can't remember.

 

Just keep in mind not all DEs are available on all distros so find one you like.  

So, is it mainly things like the appearance, file-functionality and desktop-environment that are some of the main differences between the distros and that's mostly it?

Because, some of the ones I've seen are very aesthetically different especially when looking at certain interfaces and especially the built-in features.

What did you mean by DE's btw? It's gonna take me a while to learn Linux abbreviations lol

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Skyrim doesn't have native support on Linux and I can guarantee it will run like trash if you WINE which will also make un-moddable effectively.

Wait really? Hmm interesting. I was told that it (and other Bethesda games included) run on Linux fine but I guess not.

What about other high end games on Steam/Origin etc.., how do they perform when modded or not modded?

I did see on an old topic that Skyrim runs better on Windows 7 as opposed to 10, I think it was an old topic that you made actually  Was looking at some on here last night as mentioned.

DE: desktop environment

There are underlying differences as well but it depends on how much you want to modify your install.

Yep, Windows 10 caps VRAM usage to 4GB on DX9 titles. Windows 8/8.1 and 7 do not cap it.

I'm sure Skyrim will run with WINE but my experience with modding it pretty much tells me not to complicate the install and running of the game as much as possible, you will only create underlying issues that won't be able to be fixed.