I just stumbled onto a website that allows you to test different versions of Linux in an online VM. There's nothing to install, just browse to the distro you want to try and click the start button. Fair Warning, there does seems to be a queue for some systems due to how popular the website is. Give it a spin before you decide to install it, or use it to familiarize yourself with Linux!
Seems like a perfect opportunity to explore what the Linux community has to offer. Hope someone finds this useful!
https://distrotest.net/
Alternatively, if you don't mind installing something on your windows system, you can get VirtualBox from Oracle for Free and then install Linux in a virtual environment.
Also many Linux' will allow you to run a live CD/DVD on your existing computer without installing so you can do a test drive that way.
IIRC, that distrotest site made a bit of a splash a while ago - and got hammered to a standstill because it was very slow to begin with.
For folks wanting to just check out pretty much ANY Linux distro - IMO - the best way is to grab an ISO, get it onto a USB stick, and boot into that.
I tend to favour Ubuntu Mate:
Code:
https://ubuntu-mate.org/download/
Others seem to prefer Linux Mint:
Code:
https://linuxmint.com/download.php
(And BTW, I do NOT ever recommend the ZorinOS to anyone as it is still horribly buggy.)
My biggest point all the time when it comes to the entire win vs. lin debate is simply this:
Most folks do most of the same things with a PC - very few actually need to have daily uses of specialized s/w - so for most folks, after a few small adjustments, using Linux is just like any other day.
The biggest benefit IMO is simply the awesome reliability of Linux - no more BSODs, -ever-, and very little need to be concerned with malware - and the price tag for most Linux OSes is ZERO - which places it way ahead of the costs to get into (whatever remains of...) the Apple realm.
And for folks who NEED specialized s/w - that is easily done as well - but enough for now !!