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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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For office suite, if you deal a lot with MS office formats, you might get a better experience with Onlyoffice (FOSS). You also have the option of web based office suites (Google docs, office 365 etc.)
You might like to take a look here at some alternatives to solidworks, too.
I guess they won't be as powerful as SOLIDWORKS though.
Does solidowrks exist on linux? CAD software is almost the only thing that holds me back from switching to linux completely.
Im not sure about matlab, but checkout R
Matlab exists for Linux and is the same as on Windows. LibreOffice is a fully functioning office suit for Linux.
I can't speak to SOLIDWORKS, their website only lists a windows version. There is however some community work being done here https://github.com/cryinkfly/SOLIDWORKS-for-Linux And it looks like they have it running.
Given that Fedora and Ubuntu are listed on that github, you should probably start with either one of those.
For a complete beginner I'd recommend Ubuntu, since it's a solid distro with huge wealth on online support available.
Awesome! I think I will start looking at Ubuntu.
If you're coming from Windows, or like the windows look then I'd recommend trying the cinnamon flavor of Ubuntu (or straight up Linux Mint which is also Ubuntu based).
I would also suggest KDE based ones (like Kubuntu). Familiar desktop look and feel. Intuitive controls. Decent hardware requirements.
Anyway, you can use a different desktop env. later, too.