It depends on several factors. You want a gui for sure, and dont want to be compiling everything from source I assume.
Here is a short summary of my experience of distros:
debian: text-install, has package manager, rpm or apt-get
slackware: text-install, wireless was missing, completely gui-less install, configuration of gui by hand, package management by hand. has package manager, forgot the name
trisquel: unsure? everything worked except flash (youtube) and some usual packages were missing because they were propriatary software. apt-get package manager
ubuntu: gui-install, relatively easy install, easy package management, also easy to wipe your disk with it if you just press next, somewhat strange GUI called Unity which sends your searches to Amazon, Google and US gov. package manager: apt-get
gentoo: you spend a week compiling source code, then all works - if lucky. package manager: emerge
suse: it has been too long since i installed it;
puppy: no QT libraries.
rock: heard a lot of rumors about it, but never gave it a try
I think you want something that works relatively out of the box. Nearly everything is based on Slackware and Debian. :
Image here:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Linux_Distribution_Timeline.svgYuo could give Debian, Trisquel or KUbuntu a try. I suggest seeing some youtube reviews of distros before installing, can save you some hours.
You can try a program called unetbootin to make a usb live cd. It will download the distro, put it on the usb, so you can try it out (directly starting from usb) before installing it to the disk.
