Mint and Kubuntu are great for newbies. Ubuntu is also great, but the community hates Ubuntu these days so be ready to get replies criticizing Ubuntu or your choice to use it. It still makes a lot of shit really easy.
I used Ubuntu for over 10 years. I loved it. But Canonical does have a lot of baggage. Plus, I wanted to go to the source. So that's why I use Debian. I'd still advise a new user to go for Mint if they loved the Windows UI or Ubuntu if they hated it. If you use and love Mint, I don't think anyone would criticize you for continuing to use it. If you use and love Ubuntu, I'd say Debian is a very easy next step.
"I've no idea what you're talking about. This is my chair, and it's a bloody shame I'm not big enough to move your arse from it when you've stolen it."
