For noobs, the learning curve for the unity desktop is quite steep. In addition, the fabled customisation options of linux are buried so deep that they give up well before they can reach any place of significance in their understanding.
Drivers will remain an issue as most manufacturers make...
When I talk of Linux, I would like the person to get used to the system and then start exploring.
Most newbies give up in the exploring stage, since dependencies et al is beyond them and command line addition of repositories is the stuff their nightmares are made of.
Would rather spoon feed a...
Tried both. Still, would suggest you to give it a go. IMHO, Zorin wins hands down.
And this is after installing it on 4 newbie systems. No complains from any of them so far, after almost 4 months.
Based on Ubuntu, its a look alike windows in a lot of ways. Reminds me of the Lindows but is successful on so many levels in comparison. Has wine enable and configured by default. Can emulate windows XP/7
Offers core and educational free versions.
Rather than me going on about the distro, you...
Are all the four partitions made as 'Primary'? If that is the case, convert 2 of the data partitions as extended logical partitions. Then you will be able to make a new partition.
HDs can have only 4 primary partitions. The rest have to inside the extended partition as logical drives.