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Add to SafariLinux Mint is one of the more popular distributions, with editions based on Ubuntu and Debian. With some of Ubuntu's recent controversial changes, particularly in the user interface, Linux Mint has become the go-to distribution for those looking for a well-supported and up-to-date, but more familiar Linux experience.
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Familiar user interface
Mint is highly recommended for both users coming from Windows, as well as users coming from Ubuntu, but unhappy with Ubuntu's recent, rather dramatic interface changes. Mint provides an updated interface with a look and feel similar to Gnome 2, with an application menu reminiscent of the Windows 7 Start Menu, with categorization and search.
Pro Full multimedia support out of the box
Linux mint focuses first on usability, and thus provides proprietary multimedia support out of the box. This makes it a good choice as a distro if you're installing it for a novice user that is unable to install full multimedia support themselves.
Pro Good selection of desktop environments to choose from
MATE, Cinnamon and XFCE. You can download the version of your choosing from the Mint official website.
Pro Graphical interface for everything is installed by default
Even things like firewall come with GUI in Mint.
Pro Compatibility with Debian and Ubuntu software builds and repositories
Mint and gains the very strong package ecosystem and software manager of Debian, including 30,000 packages.
Pro The OS is great for both beginners and advanced users
The OS has different update settings for different users and has easy manual within the OS.
Pro Already functional out-of-the-box
Mint comes bundled with software for browsing the web, editing pictures, browsing files, watching videos and even a full office suite (LibreOffice). An average user can use Mint right away after a fresh install, using all the software that comes with the distribution to complete most of their daily tasks.
Pro Provides LTS (long term support) versions
Long Term Support versions are versions of software that are continuously updated for an extended period of time, even after newer versions are launched. LTS versions will typically get feature additions and enhancements for an extended period of time, then security updates up until its End of Life. An LTS release should typically be considered good for at least 5 years.
Pro Responsive development team
Mint developers actually do care what their users want and don't force changes.
Pro Supports proprietary software
Linux Mint does maintain a free software environment, however, it does offer full support to proprietary software (Chrome, Skype, Teamviewer).
Pro Dedicated upgrade process
The Linux Mint team is very dedicated to upgrading and improving Mint, to the point where the releases are fairly predictable. They are also dedicated to their users, meaning that they are responsive to critiques, suggestions, etc.
Pro Easy installation and configuration
Linux Mint uses the same installer as Ubuntu. It is very easy to use for beginners, and also allows more advanced users to choose their own partitions. Linux Mint's Cinnamon desktop is highly customizable and can be made to look however preferred.
Pro Pretty desktop
Linux Mint has a quite pretty default desktop. Cinnamon is adopted by other distros also.
Pro Good community support
There are several different ways to get support for this distribution, including the forums, their IRC channel, or their github repositories if you think their software isn't behaving as it should.
Pro Popular
Linux Mint is currently the most hit page on DistroWatch. Because of its popularity, long-term support is pretty guaranteed.
Pro MATE desktop (as an option)
MATE is a classic desktop as opposed to the newer "Unity" desktop. For people who prefer the classic style this is one of only few modern distributions with still active MATE desktop development.
Pro There is a "system restore" tool to restore the OS if something breaks
This tool backs up the core OS files to an external drive with an option for full encryption.
Cons
Con Upgrade process between version can be painful
The Linux Mint team offers a method to upgrade the OS between versions but they tend to recommend clean installs, which isn't always suitable for everyone. However, following the upgrade process currently is less than straightforward and is easily capable of leaving your system in a confused state.
Con Security may be an issue
Linux Mint by default does not have auto updates turned on for things such as xorg or the kernel, thus leaving users with potentially insecure software.
Con Limits to the support of propriatary hardware drivers
Mint has limited support for older graphics cards beyond the generic nouveau driver, and some software (like Stremio) only works with official Nvidia drivers (for example).
Con Looks ugly
The default theme and wallpaper looks outdated and bland. Luckily that is easy to change in the settings.
Con The Linux Mint website once provided spyware
The website for Linux Mint was hacked in 2016 and its download links led to a modified ISO, which contained spyware.
Con Political
Clement Lefebvre, the lead developer of Linux Mint said “I don’t want any money or help coming from people who support the actions of the Israeli government.”
Con Nothing new
Just another fork of Ubuntu. Produces nothing that can't be found in another Debian-based distros
Con The Linux Mint website once provided malware
The website for Linux Mint was hacked in 2016 and its download links led to a modified ISO, which contained malware.
Con Linux Mint tries to force people to use less powerful custom package management system
The custom package management system is slow, frustrating, and forces you to select and install one package at a time. Can't select a whole load of packages and then run the installations in one go.
They've also blocked certain powerful features of synaptic, the default Ubuntu/Debian package management application.
Con Many proprietary (closed-source) packages
By default, Linux Mint includes almost all the proprietary packages just to improve the user experience.
Con System updates can lead the system to being unstable
While a newly installed system is stable, after an update, there is a slight chance of something not working.
Recommendations
Comments
Flagged Pros + Cons
Con Cheap Windows substitute
Mint tries to be like Windows when it could be different and provide options.
Con Mint 19 forces unwanted updates
Since version 19 Mint adopted Windows 10's policy to force the user to install unwanted updates and even if the user deselects them and marks them not to be installed, they're still being installed.
Con Linux Mint tries to force people to use less powerful custom package management system
The custom package management system is slow, frustrating, and forces you to select and install one package at a time. Can't select a whole load of packages and then run the installations in one go.
