[LarryMade2]

If you want more up to date programs might also consider Linux Mint, Sometimes Ubuntu is a bit behind the curve on languages and such Mint is also Debian based so a lot of Ubuntu's help applies to mint and the mint support community is also pretty strong.

I started with Ubuntu for my development computer and am now running Mint because I needed more recent versions to test with. The servers are running ubuntu server though (since I try to develop ahead of the version on the server) so it works out.

[funguses]

One of the main difference between Ubuntu and Mint is the graphical desktop environment as well, isn't it? As far as I know, Ubuntu uses Unity whereas Mint offers 3 flavors: Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce. All those 3 DE-s give a more Windows-like user experience and probably make the transition easier for that reason alone.

Pop!_OS is another flavor of Ubuntu (just like Mint) tailored for developers. If I were to start with Linux today, as a developer, I'd probably give it a try.

For hardcore mode, pick Arch Linux, as this is where you will probably end up distrohopping eventually if you like to tinker with your system.