The best distro for beginners: Ubuntu 11.04

This is due to the Ubuntu team replacing the old desktop with something it calls Unity - a slick and accelerated full-screen interface that allows you to switch quickly between applications and find your files. Except that this first release has some stability issues and if your graphics hardware isn't up to the job, the fall-back to an older desktop creates unnecessary confusion.



But there are two reasons why Ubuntu is still a fantastic choice for beginners - hardware compatibility and ease of installation. Stick the disc in the drive, answer a few easy questions, and you'll find yourself at the desktop in no time at all.
And as long as it works, Ubuntu developers still know how to make a desktop look good. Unity is a new way of using a desktop, but it's also a brave move to try and do something different, whether that's the drag and drop files onto applications feature or the way applications can be installed from the global search pane.
Ubuntu still offers one of the best looking default desktops, an unparalleled software repository, easy installation of proprietary software like Flash and Nvidia drivers, and incorporates one of the largest and most accessible communities on the internet. It's still a winner. But we can't say for how long.
Summary: Easy installation, a massive package repository and a dedicated user community help keep Ubuntu a great choice for newcomers. But Unity is going to cause problems.
Also consider: Mageia 1.0