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.

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.

I like tilvids.com.

thelinuxexperiment_channel is my fav. on this.

I also enjoy watching Drew Devault's videos.

All of these are tech related though.