If you wish to try Linux there are two easy methods that would allow you to see it in action.
Neither method requires you to install it on your hard drive.
The first is to try the live CD. All distros of Linux are available as a live CD version.
This method holds essential parts of the operating system in your RAM. The system continually accesses the CD as programmes are opened up.
The main disadvantage of this method is that any additional programmes or updates that you install remain in RAM and will disappear when you close the system down at the end of the session.
A far better method is to plug in a USB Flash Memory stick and install the live CD distro to the stick. This method produces a much faster operating system because the USB Flash Memory can be accessed at greater speeds than is possible with a CD live version alone.
If you use a 4GB USB Stick you will be able to install any of the Linux distros and still have additional memory space to add additional updates or other software.
These will remain on the Stick at the end of a session. You can save desktop settings and your own data to the USB stick as well. The fact that a 4Gb stick can be purchased for next to nothing makes this a viable option for anyone wishing to take advantage of the security of the Linux Operating System to do personal banking etc.
Good read but needs updating we are now up to Ubuntu 14.04 LTS which gives support to 2019 in 32bit and 64bit also Linux Mint 17 LTS also supported to 2019 in 32bit and 64bit would like to see the ISO download on our server to make thing easier for New and Current Linux users to excess.