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Updated
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 The default desktop environment is easy to use
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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 Cheap Windows substitute
Mint tries to be like Windows, when it can be different and provide options.
Con Mint comes from Ubuntu who flirts with Microsoft Windows world
what would happen to Mint if Ubuntu went to Microsoft's arms ? They already work a lot together.
Your sectarianism is ridiculous. Microsoft is a member of The Linux Foundation, a subscriber of the quite closed Linux kernel security mailing list. Sure Windows is a privacy nightmare. But things have changed since the release of Halloween Papers and even Torvalds doesn't hold a grudge with M$. And we should appreciate the resulting improvement and wider adoption of Linux and its' components.
Con Cinamon environment is not beautiful and in the same time KDE environment is no longer used
Recommendations
Comments
Flagged Pros + Cons
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 linux mint does maintain a free software enviroment. however does offer full support to propertiary software,(Crome, skype, teamvewer)
Pro Compatibility with Debian and Ubuntu software builds and repositories
Mint and gains the very strong package ecosystem and software manager of Debian, including more than 30,000 packages available from the Debian repositories.
Out of Date Pros + Cons
Pro Popular
Linux mint is currently the most hit page on DistroWatch. Because of its popularity, long term support is pretty guaranteed.