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I gave Xubuntu 18.04 a try when it first came out in April.
It was a disaster. I contemplated troubleshooting, but then I remembered all the trouble I had with Xubuntu 16.04 when it first came out. It's just not worth it to me. I'm done with anything 'buntu or 'buntu-based.
I tried several debian-based distros and found some interesting ones, but MX is what I'm sticking with. It works, it works well, and it works all the time. In the rare exception when it doesn't, the forum members are there to help, and so are the developers.
Having said all that, there is a recipe for success using a dual-boot system for Windows so you can run Windows-based software.
I've had to do this this year because of some of the work I'm doing that requires a "Windows" operating system.
You must have an SSD. Since you have to turn off all the fast-booting setting so you can dual-boot, all of Microsoft's speed cheats are disabled. SSD's are cheaper, if you go with smaller ones. Amazon has 120GB for less than $30, and that is the best $30 you will ever spend; yes, they are that fast. Install Windows 10 first, then partition off a small section, maybe 35GB for Linux. Use a "regular" hard drive in the same computer, format it NTFS and mark it "STORAGE". The "STORAGE" drive will be accessible from both OS's. OS's on the SSD, everything else on the HDD.
RAM should be DDR3 or better, 6GB or more depending on how heavy of software you run in Windows.
Get a decent graphics card with at least 1GB of memory; 2GB is better. Stay away from gaming cards. AMD seems more compatible with Linux systems; nVidia has always been a pain, particularly with gaming cards.
I prefer Intel processors, and some guys drive Chevy's, other drive Fords. "Hyperthreading" dual core Intels are good; quad core is better. Hyperthreading quad core is amazing, but expensive. AMD is generally less expensive all the way around, and their offerings are ever-interesting. An AMD tri-core at minimum; quadcore is better. I have in my possession an "APU" machine that boasts a hyperthreading dual core, so...
Keeping in mind, everything stated above is for a DESKTOP computer, and working from a government surplus, bargain basement, as cheap as I can get away with standpoint. And this not necessarily "building" a machine, but rather modifying an OEM machine, keeping the price as low as possible.
