Lets start looking at popular linux versions here is the best version for new folks coming in from windows  LINUX MINT its clean looks and windows like menus makes it very appealing its speed and performance will leave a lot of windows users never looking back just like me lol.
Here is a look at Mints desktop this is my desk top.I run Mint myself love it
Its a Ubuntu off shoot has of course a ubuntu core operating system underneath.
Its got the  really nice elegant look its a fast system it will load two  pages before before windows loads one and comes with everything its has the latest drivers for graphics and Amd acceleration drivers also a complete software center .Also its easy to install download the ISO file burn to disk or usb flash if your running windows to unlock the boot yes its locked by windows  go to your boot menu set your computer to boot first to either the cd or flash put the media in reboot to the drive you using and linux will boot live you can even try it first before you install it on the hard drive to put on the hard drive just follow the easy installer hers the link to get it comes in 64 bit and 32 bit get the Cinnamon 64 bit top one ENJOY .heres the link MINT