Anytime you try to engage with the Linux community as a newcomer, you’ll hear a lot of opinions about this. what you need to installwhat is best as a starter etc. Discussions these days tend to focus on options like Ubuntu or Fedora, or even Arch if you talk to certain groups.
But another popular choice, albeit a little, is that Linux Mint. This Linux distro is often aimed at those who want to play it safe and be a little more conservative with their computers – keep the familiar experience that works without doing anything too crazy. It’s not on the bleeding edge of development, but after spending some time with it, I’d say it’s still great at being a safe, effective option.
Buy your bearings now
Mint guides you through all the essentials
As great as many Linux distros are, it’s easy to get lost when you first get started. Of course, many basic desktop paradigms are self-explanatory to us just by looking at the screen, but for someone coming through Windows and not very tech-savvy, even a small obstacle can become an unnecessary headache.
When you first boot into Linux Mint, it immediately welcomes you to the operating system with an overview of all the essentials. You can access customization, check for updates, manage drivers, and access system settings. These are all optional, but they are all shown and explained to you so you know where to start if you want.
This means you can customize Linux Mint to look and behave the way you want, ensure all programs are up-to-date and have the latest features, and even install system images for recovery just in case. You can skip any of these, but you have no excuse for any surprises later; you build everything the way you want it from the start.
Exactly what you would expect
Welcome Windows users
Linux Mint is also great for Windows converts because it comes with familiar desktop paradigms that aren’t as complicated as others. The latest versions of GNOME look and feel very different from the traditional Windows experience, which can be alienating and confusing at every turn. When the foundation is so different, things will be more difficult than they actually are.
You can say the same for others Like COSMICbut even so KDE Plasmait already looks more like Windows, with some quirks. Accidentally drag your mouse to the top-left corner and you’re transported to the Workspaces view, which isn’t something you’d accidentally launch in Windows.
Linux Mint keeps things simple and very similar to Windows in that regard. You have an app launcher, pinned apps, and a taskbar with system tray icons, all of which look and feel like Windows for the most part. Even the app launcher itself has some degree of familiarity, especially compared to older versions of the Start menu on Windows.
A strong foundation
Slow and steady wins the race
Another reason to go with Mint is that it’s built on a solid foundation, and it just includes everything you need for a working system. It ships with a slightly older kernel than some other Linux distros, but that means it’s usually a time-tested kernel that takes a lot of time to polish and become extremely stable. In general, updates take a little longer to roll out, but they’re always solid.
To be fair, there may be downsides if you install it on the latest hardware. I had issues with some drivers not working because I was using a computer that was too recent for the included kernel version, but for most computers this isn’t really a problem, and the stability you get in exchange for slower updates can’t be overestimated. Plus, there are often optional kernel updates if you need updated drivers for certain hardware.
The programs just work
Well, for the most part
Finally, Linux also wins because it is packed with everything you need to get any software you want without too much hassle. For native system packages, you get access to the same repositories as Ubuntu, and since it’s still one of the most popular options, it means you have a lot of great apps. If you’re not sure what that means, don’t worry: these apps are just available through the included App Manager, so it’s like a regular app store. The Software Manager also automatically serves Flathub packages, meaning yes, Flatpak support is included by default and you have access to the main source of Flatpak applications.
Plus, if you download apps using a web browser, DEB packages are also supported (as with any Debian-based distro), and AppImage files work out of the box. The only downside here is that you have to manually allow AppImage files to run as executables; Mint still doesn’t offer to do this automatically.
All that said, if the software supports Linux, chances are very high that you can easily find a version that works specifically on Mint. With all the sources and formats it supports, Mint is well covered, so there should be no unexpected shortcomings.
Mint is a safe bet, and that’s a good thing
Ultimately, everyone treats their computer differently, but for many of us, the safe option is the best option, and Linux Mint fills that role perfectly. It’s what you’d expect from a computer, and everything just works, but it’s also lightweight and great on older or weaker hardware. While not my personal preference as someone more familiar with Linux, it’s very easy to recommend to newcomers.
