 Visitor Reviews |
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Reader supplied reviews for Linux Mint
Average rating
8.9 from 1010 review(s)
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-04-12
Country: Belgium
Votes: 38
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Mint 22.3 Cinnamon is one of those rare Linux experiences where you keep thinking, wow, so it is still possible. Everything just works in a clean, stable, and pleasantly drama free way. After more than 20 years on Debian, I honestly never thought I would switch, but KDE eventually lost me with how broken and exhausting it became. Too many rough edges, too much friction, too little trust.
Mint feels wonderfully grounded in comparison. Cinnamon does exactly what a desktop is supposed to do. Clean 4K scaling, consistent behavior, solid performance, no strange daily hiccups. It looks neat, stays out of the way, and simply works. I do not have to babysit my desktop every other day. I can just use it.
And yes, even my modern nerdy setup with local AI, Docker, WebUI, GPU workloads, and all the related technical toys runs surprisingly smoothly on it. That is exactly what I like about Mint: it is not trying to be trendy at any cost, it is trying to be practical. It does not want to impress me, it wants to be reliable. That is almost a luxury now.
For me, Mint 22.3 Cinnamon is one of the few systems right now that feels pleasant, stable, and technically mature at the same time. Not a showpiece, not an experiment box, just a genuinely good Linux desktop.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-04-11
Country: Australia
Votes: 13
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Linux is most useful in reviving older computers. Mint v22.3 was installed on a Fujitsu model Q616 Windows tablet (2 in 1, 4G RAM, 128 SSD).
A keyboard F2 option to edit Bios and boot from a Live-USB was used.
The Touch screen, WiFi, Webcam, BT and sound all worked, out-of-the-box.
The installation features to Dual-Boot with another OS without resorting to gParted and the option to Encrypt the Home folder made the process easy. Not having used Windows for many years, I did not find enough apps to make it worthwhile keeping and found all I needed in the Linux repository: LibreOffice, PDF arranger, Veracrypt, Audacity etc. The system ran fast with the XFCE desktop. An older iPhone mounted without having to code a mount point.
Mint has run well on other old computers, Acer-E3 (2G RAM), HP-Pavillion and Lenovo. I havn’t yet run it on a 2014 MacBook Air, as the Live-USB did not sense the Wi-Fi of SSD out-of-the-box but would probably work with added drivers.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-04-03
Country: Indonesia
Votes: 12
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🏗️ The Setup
My laptop is a classic workhorse: an **Intel i7-3520M** with **16GB of RAM** and dual graphics (NVIDIA/Intel). While this hardware is several years old, Linux Mint 22.3 makes it feel like a brand-new machine. It’s snappy, efficient, and everything worked right out of the box.
🚀 What’s New and Why It Matters
1. Better Troubleshooting (System Information)
The old "System Reports" tool has been completely overhauled and renamed to System Information.
The "USB" and "GPU" pages are lifesavers. If you’ve ever struggled to figure out why a webcam isn't working or if your graphics card is actually doing its job, these new pages show you exactly what’s happening in plain English. No more digging through confusing terminal commands.
2. A Cleaner, Faster Menu
The Cinnamon 6.6 desktop introduces a redesigned application menu.
It now features a handy sidebar for your favorite apps and folders (like Documents or Downloads).
It’s much more organized, letting you get to your work faster without scrolling through a massive list of software.
3. Smarter File Management (Nemo)
The file manager, Nemo, got some "quality of life" upgrades that you’ll notice immediately:
Pause and Resume: You can now pause large file copies. If you’re moving a big folder and need to unplug your drive for a second, you can just hit pause and finish later.
Template Manager: It’s now easier to create "templates" for new files (like a standard text note or a spreadsheet) so you can start a new project with a simple right-click.
4. Better Notifications
We’ve all missed a pop-up message while away from the desk. Now, if you miss a notification, a small badge (a little number or dot) appears on the app icon in your taskbar. It’s a small change that makes a huge difference in staying organized.
🛠️ Performance on Older Hardware
Despite being a "modern" OS with the new Linux Kernel 6.14, Mint 22.3 is very light on resources.
Memory Usage: On my 16GB system, it idles at a very low percentage, leaving plenty of room for heavy tasks like web browsing with 20+ tabs or coding.
Battery & Heat: The "Zena" update includes better power management. My ThinkPad stays cool, and the fans don't ramp up unnecessarily.
🏁 The Verdict
Linux Mint 22.3 "Zena" is the perfect balance of "it just works" and "I can customize everything." It doesn't force unnecessary changes on the user, yet it feels modern and polished.
If you have an older laptop sitting in a drawer or you’re tired of the complexity of other operating systems, "Zena" is a fantastic reason to switch. It’s supported until **2029**, so you can set it up once and enjoy a stable experience for years to come.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-04-01
Country: France
Votes: 12
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Linux Mint 22 is the perfect blend of simplicity, stability, and power — never leaving you stranded, even if you’re just starting out.
You can use it as your main system, for desktop work, media, or even to learn Linux gently.
✅ Stability and Simplicity
Mint 22 is extremely stable, perfect for beginners or anyone who wants a reliable system without complications. No need to touch the terminal for most tasks.
✅ Intuitive Interface (Cinnamon)
The Cinnamon desktop is elegant, customizable, and feels very close to Windows/macOS — ideal for a smooth transition to Linux.
✅ Secure and Regular Updates
Based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Mint receives security patches quickly, with a slight delay to ensure stability — a great balance between security and reliability.
✅ Pre-installed and Useful Software
Everything you need is already there: browser, office suite (LibreOffice), media player, management tools… no need to install everything from scratch.
✅ Excellent Hardware Support
Drivers, Wi-Fi, printers, external displays — everything usually works out of the box, even on newer hardware.
✅ Active Community & Clear Documentation
Lots of tutorials, forums, and guides in French. The Mint team is responsive and focused on user experience.
✅ Wayland Available (for the curious)
You can try Wayland if you wish — but X11 remains the default for maximum compatibility.
But here are some limitations of Linux Mint 22 (it depends on your need) :
⚠️ Slightly outdated kernel and software
Mint follows Ubuntu LTS, so kernel updates (e.g., 6.17) and app versions arrive a few weeks to months after Ubuntu — which may frustrate users who want the latest features or performance improvements.
⚠️ Wayland not enabled by default
Although Wayland is available, X11 remains the default session. This means users miss out on Wayland’s benefits (security, performance, HiDPI) unless they manually switch — which many beginners won’t know how to do.
⚠️ Cinnamon desktop can feel “heavy”
While highly customizable, Cinnamon may seem less lightweight than XFCE or LXQt — not ideal for older PCs or users seeking a minimal, fast experience.
⚠️ Fewer cutting-edge updates than rolling-release distros
If you crave the latest GNOME, KDE, or software versions, Mint (based on LTS) may feel too conservative — especially compared to Fedora, Arch, or openSUSE Tumbleweed.
⚠️ No advanced dev tools pre-installed nor for gaming
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-11
Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Votes: 70
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Linux Mint is the reason I fell in love with the Linux world. And it all started 14 years ago. I’ve tried many distributions, all the most popular ones. I tried Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, Arch (even before the archinstall script). I used Arch for a long time, and I still run it today in dual boot with Mint, but Mint is something special. Definitely the best out-of-the-box experience. Outstanding work by the developers. My only small complaint is Wayland, but that will soon be sorted out as well. Every version of Mint brings something special—not big changes, but improvements that really enhance the quality of life. Kudos to the developers, just keep up the great work!!!
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-11
Country: South Africa
Votes: 32
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My first mint experience was on 17.1, and since then I never looked back. Although I cannot make the full switch, I do use linux on all my personal devices. Mint nailed it for me as a user that needed to relearn a new os, that is is the closest resemblance to (back then) windows 10, it was easy to learn how it works. The timeshift was also a nice to have, where I can restore back to a solid known state.
I'd easily recommend to start off with mint, just to dip your feet into the linux experience. Then try not to be afraid of trying new things out.
I always come back to LMDE because it is debian with the true cinnamon experience, you can do some crazy stuff with it too. The cinnamon DE is great that it is not as restrictive to customising to you need, but not as overwhelming with settings as in the case of KDE or window managers. Hardware challenges you might find on LMDE, you will propably be better off with default linux mint or fedora if you need to use a os that supports newer hardware.
Although not recommended, but I do it anyways, I installed proxmox on top of my lmde instance because I am a mad lad, it opens up new possibilities how I can remote into the VMs because you know, life sometimes is unfair. I managed to build a system that suits my needs and keeps corporate telemetry at bay. It is not a perfect solution, but certainly is a fun one.
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-07
Country: United States
Votes: 29
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Rock solid distribution. I prefer the LMDE version but the Ubuntu version is superb too. I like other distributions like Zorin and Pop!_OS COSMIC and occasionally distro-hop but always return to LMDE. It is reliable and the desktop has all the things you would want/need. The Cinnamon desktop is the best compromise between Plasma and GNOME. In fact it is better. It has tiling available via GTile. The weather applet is native. You can add Google Drive or OneDrive accounts to your Files, Calendar, or email via the Online Accounts feature which is part of the GNOME GTK stack. LMDE makes is better/special because the foundation is Debian 13 Trixie with nothing to remove from Ubuntu. The desktop itself updates when Mint makes updates to Cinnamon since they make Cinnamon. And unlike Mint’s Ubuntu version, there are no point releases that you need to go through an installation/update process. Any updates get processed through the package manager updates/upgrades as regular maintenance. Yeah for some people perhaps the Ubuntu version is a better fit because of the Ubuntu having more recent drivers for newer hardware. But that gap has improved in the past few years since Debian 12 adding non-free software to the Debian repositories. Again some hardware will probably only work with Mint’s Ubuntu version but the recent changes with Debian have really changed that. Also, if you need specific PPAs (Personal Package Archives) then Mint using Ubuntu is the way to go to go but Flatpaks have also diminished the need for PPAs in recent years. And Flatpaks are standard and already installed in both the Ubuntu and Debian version of Mint. Either way, Mint’s Cinnamon desktop using Debian as a base has been what makes me like Linux. Some Linux users have been mislead the Debian is really old. Well that can be somewhat true if what you want has just been updated yesterday and you want that version of some sort of software. First that is rare, and if so, sometimes you can mitigate that with Flatpaks. Regardless, Debian updates about every 24-30 months and sometimes less than 24 months. LMDE is a good distribution - Mint overall, be it Debian or Ubuntu base, is my best choice for Linux for reliability and real-world use.
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-06
Country: Germany
Votes: 13
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LMDE7 is a distribution the way I prefer. Not too much bells&whistles but surely enough for productive work. The default cinnamon desktop for LMDE7 offers the right amount of GUI stuff. And thanks to flatpak any further software required can be optained quite fast.
Thanks to its rock-solid base Debian there are little to no chances ending up in an instable system up-on running a system upgrade. Security patches are offered frequently.
In the past I was using other distributions (e.g. SuSe/OpenSuse, Ubuntu, ...). Often enough it had been a compromise; now using LMDE/Cinnamon I'm satisfied in a degree I never had been before.
E.g. the applets & desklets offered by cinnamon are of great value. "Quick launcher" is one of the center pieces among these apps.
Most of the facts mentioned here are valid for Linux Mint in general, but thanks to the Debian approach this distribution is much closer to the FOSS approch as I interpret it.
Recently I could convince a friend of mine switching from Windows 10 to LMDE7 on his office PC. He is running a small family based company (3 people in total). I recommeded to give a try to LMDE since updating to Windows 11 was being refused last year. The computer he is using up-to-now is equipped with an Intel i7-7x00, 16 GB of RAM and a SSD (512GB as far as I can remember). So the CPU generation was the hurdle.
Finally getting used to use LMDE7 and LibreOffice (now 26.2) was not really a big deal for him. Oh, by the way: „Quick launcher“ has become the center of his desktop: Launching both invoice or offer forms, launching a viewer for e-invoices, eMail, internet browser, file browser – all done using shortcuts from within „Quick launcher“ ! He rarely needs to maneuver to the lower left to open up the apps menu ...
Actually I did install RustDesk on his new installation and I offered him to give a call in case of issues supporting him remotely using RustDesk. No need for support yet … ;-)
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-05
Country: Türkiye
Votes: 17
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Linux Mint is an absolute gem for anyone looking to escape the complexity of other operating systems. Whether you're a seasoned Linux enthusiast or a complete newcomer, Mint welcomes you with open arms and delivers an experience that's both powerful and refreshingly straightforward.
Ease of Use Right out of the box, Linux Mint feels intuitive and familiar. The Cinnamon desktop environment is beautifully designed, with a clean layout that won't intimidate newcomers. Everything just works—installation is smooth, and you'll be productive within minutes rather than hours of configuration.
Stability and Performance Built on Ubuntu's solid foundation, Mint offers exceptional stability without sacrificing performance. Your system runs smoothly even on older hardware, making it perfect for breathing new life into aging computers. I've experienced virtually zero crashes or slowdowns.
Software Library The Software Manager provides access to thousands of applications, and most popular programs have Linux Mint versions. Whether you need productivity tools, creative software, or games, you'll find what you're looking for with just a few clicks.
Community and Support The Linux Mint community is wonderfully supportive and active. Documentation is comprehensive, forums are helpful, and the developers genuinely listen to user feedback. You never feel alone when troubleshooting issues.
Customization While Mint is user-friendly out of the box, it's also incredibly customizable for those who want to tinker. Themes, layouts, and settings can be adjusted to match your preferences perfectly.
The Verdict Linux Mint strikes that rare balance between simplicity and capability. It respects your time, your hardware, and your intelligence. Whether you're switching from Windows, Mac, or another Linux distro, you'll find Mint to be a refreshing, reliable, and genuinely enjoyable operating system.
Highly recommended for everyone!
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-05
Country: United States
Votes: 12
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Years of using and enjoying Linux Mint as my daily driver OS has taught me a great deal about what people actually want and need in their computer’s operating system, plainly showing why Windows and MacOS have lost so much of the appeal they once had.
A vast portion of perfectly capable Windows 10 computers have been arbitrarily excluded from updating to Windows 11 by Microsoft. Short of purchasing expensive new machines with Windows 11 requirements built in, huge numbers of users have to surrender any hope they may have had of a ‘better way of doing things computing wise’ to the whims and desires of their Microsoft overlords --which is why so many are seeking ways to escape the quick sand trap they’ve found themselves stuck in with Windows 11.
A couple of decades ago I recognized early Microsoft ‘danger signals’ for what they were, and along with others began to experiment with early versions of desktop Linux, landing on Ubuntu, and following that with Linux Mint. Been with Ubuntu based Mint ever since, finding it offers by far the best out-of-the-box install it and go right to work personal computing experience available anywhere!
As a naturally curious Linux user I’ve experimented over the years with a lot of different distros, measuring each against what I’ve come to love about Linux Mint. Today there are a number of desktop competitors to Mint, most based on Debian or Ubuntu, but few anywhere near as polished and ‘ready to work’ right out of the box as Mint is. In my view the only real option to Ubuntu based Linux Mint is Linux Mint Debian Edition 7, ‘LMDE’ for short.
After closely following LMDE’s development these past 15 years, I now run LMDE 7 on about half of my PCs, having found everything I love about Ubuntu based Linux Mint available with LMDE from the very start, without any of the issues that Ubuntu based distros, including Mint, have to put up with or provide work-arounds for.
For anyone who’s interested, I’d encourage giving LMDE 7 a try. It’s simpler and less affected than Ubuntu based Linux Mint, and whether you keep LMDE 7 stock ‘right out-of-the-box’ or customize it to your liking, you’ll enjoy its light weight rock solid Debian base together with the trademark ‘Minty Goodness’ that Clem and his Linux Mint team bake into each of their distros -- whether Ubuntu or Debian based!
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-02-27
Country: United States
Votes: 12
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I'm a Linux newbie. I didn't like Windows because it required antivirus software (that made it slow), and even with antivirus software, it still wasn't very secure.
Linux Mint is the easiest Linux I've found, and it just works. You probably should update it every week or two, as it doesn't tell you that it needs it. Backups are a bit crazy with Timeshift, as it doesn't use compression and suck up a lot of drive space when it makes new backups.
To be safe, I keep my data on another drive.
Linux Mint has many apps that let you avoid the command line.
Need I say more??? I really like Linux Mint. Thanks, Greg Mann
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-02-25
Country: United States
Votes: 14
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I'm Lovin' It!
Older gamer here who loves tech, but frustrated with MS and other companies integrating AI and other invasive policies. I just want an OS that doesn't make me create an account (hello MS and Apple) to use my own computer. I've tried to move away from Windows, but a move to Apple was frustrating due to the lack of gaming support on Macs.
I had tinkered with Linux a decade ago or so and wasn't impressed with all of the workarounds that I need to deal with. Now, however, it's a new day. I downloaded Linux Mint and created a dual boot to Windows and Mint. I found Mint with the Cinnamon desktop to be a fresh look, yet somehow familiar. It was easy to learn where all the settings were to tweak what desktop changes I wanted to make and personalize my OS. Everything just worked from the start, except for a bit of struggle to get a printer working. Steam games that I purchased long ago run great. I haven't found any yet that I've had issues with. I run a few games that require Wine, those all run perfectly fine after a small bit of tinkering.
After all this, I haven't even booted into my Windows partition in about two weeks now! And I don't miss it. Everything that I need from Office apps, email (I use Proton products and they all run perfectly under Linux Mint), games and other utilities work great and don't require a lot of tweaking.
I'm extremely happy with my choice to try out Linux Mint. I expect that I will be a Linux enthusiast for many years now.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-24
Country: United Kingdom
Votes: 21
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I'm not an OS guy, I just needed to get something up and running without too much of a hassle so I can get on with my life, and Mint has provided just that.
Windows 95 was my first operating system, I knew nothing but Windows my entire life.
I switched over to Mint, my first distro, over a year ago and I never looked back. The Cinnamon desktop environment feels like Windows.
Everything just works out of the box, tons of open-source alternatives to the adobe suite, steam works great.
Well on my way to using this for the next few decades or so.
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-21
Country: Algeria
Votes: 22
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the "Zen" state of Linux desktop usage: the transition from being a distro-hopper to being a user.
The highest compliment you can pay to an operating system is that you "don't notice it." In the days of the C64 or even MS-DOS, the computer didn't ask for a reboot to install updates, it didn't change the UI layout overnight, and it didn't try to sell you a cloud subscription.
LMDE 7 ) captures that "appliance" feeling because it is built on the Debian Stable back-end. While your previous forays into Arch-based distros like CachyOS or Endeavour gave you the "high" of the latest kernel and x86-64-v3 optimizations, they also brought the "anxiety" of the rolling release—the feeling that a sudo pacman -Syu might require manual intervention.
LMDE 7 is different. It is a "set it and forget it" system. It respects your time by staying out of your way.
The CachyOS vs. LMDE Trade-off (Virtualization)
Win 10 virtualization is snappier on CachyOS. That makes sense—CachyOS uses a heavily tuned kernel (often with the BORE scheduler or specific optimizations for low latency). But for MS Excel, that trade-off is worth it. You lose a millisecond of UI responsiveness in the VM, but you gain the certainty that the VM will launch exactly the same way every morning for the next five years.
The Philosophy of "Just Work"
The team at Linux Mint understands something that Ubuntu and even Microsoft seem to have forgotten.
When you turn on your LMDE machine, you aren't "using Linux"—you are just doing your work. That is the ultimate goal of computing.
My hope for the LMDE team:
If the developers stay this path, LMDE will remain the "gold standard" for professionals who need:
Visual Silence: No pop-ups, no telemetry, no "New Features" tours.
Final Thought for your review: "In a world of 'software as a service' and 'rolling releases,' LMDE 7 is a refreshing return to 'software as a tool.' It’s the closest thing to the reliable simplicity of the 80s, but with the power of 2024."
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-02-20
Country: United States
Votes: 10
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For years, now, I’ve been using various desktop Linux distributions (e.g., MX Linux, Debian, Pop!_OS, Zorin, Endeavour, Manjaro, Fedora, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Peppermint, Lubuntu, others) on my old computers (a really old Dell PC, an Acer PC from around 2010, a 2012 MacBook Air, a 2015 Windows 8 laptop with a touchscreen), and Linux Mint has been my favorite. Mint has proven to be remarkably reliable for me.
I mainly use Mint for browsing with Google Chrome or Firefox, and for programming using Python, PostgreSQL, GitHub Desktop (The Linux Fork) and VS Code or Sublime Text. My preferred version of Mint is the Debian edition (LMDE).
I always make certain changes after installing Mint, though, because I prefer a certain look and feel. For example, I prefer the dark theme, the Papirus icons, the DMZ-black mouse pointer, the 12h clock, the panel set to height 48 and a few other changes to the menu and the login screen.
The only situation where I don't use Mint on an old computer is when I don't need a desktop. In a situation like that, where I only need a server, for example, I use Debian.
Anyway, if your desktop computing needs are similar to mine, I highly recommend Linux Mint.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-20
Country: United States
Votes: 9
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Mint has been my default, general purpose desktop distribution since about 2009. This was my replacement for Mandrake (Mageia's grandfather) when they died out. Mint offers a rich but not flashy Linux desktop that does just about anything general purpose, that generally installs successfully with most packages working out of the box. You want a desktop, you don't need anything nichey, you don't want to spend a week tuning always a good choice.
I did an interesting experiment regarding desktop Linux. Most of my employees have HS or less education. No experience in an office environment. They don't game, they don't spend much time on social media Which means well below average computer literacy / experience. For the workers that ever needed to do anything on a computer I deployed laptops with Mint. Basically didn't want the hassle of administering Windows remotely and liked the idea of $0 license costs. So I was going to give Mint a try and if that didn't work go hand a stack of money to Microsoft.
Employees had 0 problems. Most had used Windows computers, they didn't notice the difference or found Mint easier. I deployed in Spanish, and the employees liked the fact that they make computers in Spanish; they had only seen English language menus and icon labels before and thought that was a nice upgrade (seriously Microsoft, you need to offer better language selection when it is OEM deployed). It has been a delight administering Linux. I got them trained on Thunderbird on their phones and they knew what Firefox was already. They found printer setup easier, though some found the printer menus being in Spanish jarring if they already knew English menus for printers.
Decades ago we used to talk about desktop Linux as a goal. I still often have to do things on my more niche distributions that it would be ridiculous to ask a non-developer to do. There are still some really hard distributions for special purpose. But wow, does Mint "just work" for general-purpose computing at this point. This was a fire test and Mint passed with flying colors.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-20
Country: Argentina
Votes: 1
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Instalé Linux Mint Xfce en mi desktop de 2011 con AMD Athlon II X2 + 8GB DDR3 + SSD Sata 120GB + HDD 1TB + HDD 160GB + GPU Radeon 3000.
Pros: Es mi sistema operativo principal. Excelente rendimiento, arranque y fluidez. Puedo hacer todo lo que hacía en Windows. Mi labor principal es ofimática avanzada y multimedia. Reconoció todos los componentes de la PC (wifi, sonido, gráficos, impresora) en el live usb. Sus sistema de gestión de software y el de actualizaciones son excelentes.
Contras: Los mensajes y descripciones en la GUI suelen ser crípticos para el usuario común.
No obstante, recomiendo esta distro a usuarios de Windows.
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-14
Country: Netherlands
Votes: 16
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Mint fixes many of the technical issues and usability discomfort I have found in core Debian. I don't hate Debian, I recognise its contribution but I have had a range of technical issues installing applications that are not from its APT repository. I've also had problems at times retrieving updates and upgrades from mirrors with Debian that happen decidedly less frequently with Mint.
In terms of usability Mints software repository is more streamlined, easier to search and simply nicer to use. The same can be said of its implementation of its own Cinnamon desktop environment and the carefully chosen selection of applications and utilities that are present out of the box.
In summary everything about Mint feels considered and measured in a way that engenders a comfortable experience for the end user be they new or experienced. Its like that old set of comfy slippers you keep coming back to. 10/10.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-13
Country: Spain
Votes: 15
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It may be heralded as a "beginner" distro, but I for one don't want to get into the trouble of debugging my audio, graphics, internet and anything else after 10 years of using Linux as well. I want it to work out of the box, and that's exactly what Mint provides. In the rare cases I do have trouble with software versions and stuff like that I can find answers online thanks to its (and its Ubuntu base's) popularity.
The rate of version releases is ideal, I'm okay with having a fresh start every 2 years
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-13
Country: United States
Votes: 31
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For those asking themselves why so many are ditching Windows 11 and moving to Linux Mint, give a listen to someone who's done just that.
Users are migrating from Windows 11 to Linux Mint in droves for a variety of reasons, to escape Microsoft's aggressive monetization practices, to regain hardware freedom, and to find a more stable yet entirely familiar desktop experience.
Linux Mint has become a primary "refugee camp" for disillusioned Windows 11 users. Its Cinnamon, MATE and Xfce desktops mimic the classic Windows layout we've loved over the years, making the transition nearly seamless for everyday users.
This shift in focus has to do with 'Hardware Freedom' and the 'Artificial Obsolescence' that Microsoft has built into Windows 11, and intends to double down on in the years ahead. Windows 11's strict hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0 and modern CPU checks, have made millions of perfectly functional late model PCs unusable in Microsoft's eyes.
Linux Mint runs flawlessly on otherwise perfectly capable older hardware that Windows 11 rejects, providing faster boot times and less RAM usage than Windows 11 did. With support for Windows 10 having come to an end in October of last year, users with perfectly good PCs that Microsoft has arbitrarily labeled "unsupported" are moving to Mint in large numbers rather than purchasing expensive new computers.
Windows 11 installs with extensive built in telemetry and tracking that users never asked for and don't want. Linux Mint on the other hand collects no such data and respects user's privacy by default. Mint provides its users complete control over every aspect of their PC and its operating system, including when and how to update, eliminating forced Windows reboots during work.
Windows users, who've met Microsoft's hardware requirements for running Windows 11 and paid the considerable costs involved, are frustrated by advertisements and 'recommended apps' pop-ups on their desktops -- so much so that the fallout Windows 11 has started shows no sign of abating any time soon.
Users typically report far better stability with Linux Mint, which installs with a clean set of essential tools and none of the crap that comes with Windows 11's pre-installed trials or time wasting kiddy games. Lots of new Mint users say they're actively avoiding Windows 11's aggressive integration of 'Copilot' and other AI driven features that cannot be easily removed, if at all, by moving to Linux Mint.
Linux Mint's 'Software Manager' provides one-click installation of thousands of free, open-source apps, many of which are safer, less troublesome and more efficient than anything the Microsoft Store wants you to buy. Mint includes 'Timeshift', a powerful tool that takes system snapshots and can instantly return your system to a previous working state if an update or setting causes a difficult issue. As a long time Linux Mint user, there's nothing I do work-wise or otherwise that I can't do better, faster, more securely and a lot more trouble free in Linux Mint than I'd ever be able to in Windows 10 or 11.
For those frustrated with the direction Windows 11 has gone, who have perfectly capable PCs that Microsoft says they must replace in order to go further with Windows, I'd challenge them to download the latest Linux Mint 22.3 .ISO file, 'burn it' to a thumb drive (Linux Mint's web site will walk you through this rather simple process), then boot your PC to the 'live' version of Linux Mint on your thumb drive and explore this modern desktop OS to your heart's content before installing it.
Once you've actually installed Mint on your PC you'll be starting on an operating system adventure that you simply could not imagine short of actually 'making the move from Windows to Mint!', an adventure you'll quickly see in an entirely new light as Mint introduces you to far and away the best desktop experience today's modern open-source Linux world has to offer!
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Version: 21.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-02-01
Votes: 19
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Truly amazing for a first-time dive into the Linux world of technological independence. Two years ago I moved from Windows 10 to Mint 21.3, and its been a fun and educational ride. The Driver manager as well as the Update Manager make for a comfortable and beginner-friendly experience to maintain and use your machine. With good good Timeshift backup habits (before every major update wave), you can easily revert back in case of any problems that might arise. Thats not to say its probable, its not. Over these two years the vast majority of it was stable and perfect for daily driving. Yes Ive had to learn the linux-way of doing things, finding alternative software that used to be Windows-only (RIP MusicBee), but after settling in, I dont want to go back to Microslop ever again. Im running 21.3, my old thinkpad as well. Ive helped transform another friend to the linux world, theyre running 22.3, butter smooth.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-31
Votes: 29
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I installed Linux Mint as a replacement for Windows 11 and was surprised how quickly the installation went. My hardware is far from high-end; it's a Dell Latitude 6510 with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Linux Mint takes up very little space on the SSD, boots up very quickly, and has been running stably for several weeks now. Updates are readily available and installed quickly. The information provided during application installation is comprehensive. So far, I've found suitable software for every need. These also run very stably. The network functions are flawless, and remote desktop is significantly better implemented than in Windows thanks to RustDesk. The sheer number of applications is exhaustive; there are free alternatives for every purpose. Of course, it takes some time to learn the system.
For me, switching away from Windows has been a complete success!
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-30
Votes: 14
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I recently switched/upgraded from Virginia, to Faye, and now to Gigi (LMDE 7). I had a problem with Virginia, which I won't go into. Suffice to say that I liked Mint so much that I didn't want to leave, so I jumped at the chance to install a Debian based Mint version (Faye). That worked out very well, so when Gigi came out, I was very excited. I guess it's been about three months that I've been using Gigi. I can't say enough good things about her. She is powerful, yet easy going; demanding at times, yet forgiving. She's great. My original DE was Cinnamon, but just for fun I installed Gnome. No problem whatsoever. Now, I just choose how I want to see Gigi dressed when I boot up. Either way, she's always beautiful and ready for what comes her way. What more could I ask for?
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-30
Votes: 16
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Moved from Windows to Linux. This distro is amazing, it just works. And it's user friendly, you have GUIs to everything, no need to be on the command line every time you want to set something up.
And the updates between versions are effortless, just press next and you are done.
I've tried Linux in the past, mostly Ubuntu, and it never felt this polished and ready to use as Mint does, even tough Mint is based on Ubuntu.
My only regret is I didn't switch earlier. I now have my desktop and two laptops all running Mint and it has been great.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-30
Votes: 7
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I can describe it in just one word: PERFECT!
First, it doesn’t have weird or unstable updates.
Second, it offers a simple and polished desktop environment (Cinnamon).
Third, it has great compatibility with my MacBook Air 2013.
I installed Linux Mint on this MacBook with only 4 GB of RAM, and even though it uses around 600–800 MB of memory, I am very satisfied with its performance.
In comparison, when I installed MX Linux with XFCE, it did not include a Night Light feature by default, so I had to install Redshift. After installing Redshift, memory usage increased by about 500–700 MB
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-30
Votes: 6
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Moving from Windows 10 to Mint was a welcomed transition. I tried updating to Windows 11, but the hoops I was being forced to jump through and the 'back alley' routes I was asked to travel led to aggravation after aggravation, until at last I threw my hands up in disgust and walked away from Windows for good.
Truth is it wasn't so much 'me leaving Windows behind', as it was 'Windows pushing me away, a user since Windows first saw the light of day, as someone they no longer cared for, someone they could get along just fine without'.. Well, multiply me by about a billion, and that'll give you an idea of the size of the 'me crowd' that today's unrecognizable 'Windows' is pushing away.
The 'holier than thou' attitude Windows has gravitated to since Gates walked away from actively running the show, is slowly but certainly strangling the life out of what millions once saw in earlier versions of Windows as the 'people's choice' OS. Little wonder that the real excitement in daily driver OS circles these days is no longer centered in Windows 11 and beyond, but in top tier Linux distributions such as Ubuntu based Linux Mint.
I spent a lot of months sorting through the top desktop distros available today, and for my personal 'daily driver' needs I've settled on Debian and Ubuntu based distros exclusively. My top choice in a Debian based distro is a toss up between LMDE and MX Linux. While my top choice in a Ubuntu based distro was Linux Mint -- which I now run on all my machines, both for my work and for my personal use.
What I find so refreshing and captivating about Linux Mint 22.3 is that the 'personalized mojo' that Windows once exuded and people everywhere found inviting now rests in projects like Clem's Linux Mint -- an exciting, easy to install and simple to use distribution that's both fully capable and personally engaging at the same time. Mint is a daily driver OS that accommodates whatever an individual user desires of it, from the simplest of daily computing tasks to the most complex, without hammering anyone with non-stop 'BS adware' or forcing unwanted and unneeded AI apps on users.
Mint does everything anyone needs it to do, all the while staying behind the scenes and out of the way. Top all that off with the fact that all of the perfectly capable hardware that Windows 11 says we can't use anymore runs 'better than ever' with free of out of pocket cost Linux Mint 22.3 in place -- and for a billion or so of us making the move away from the 'hot mess' that Windows has become to the simple joy of running an OS that 'works with us instead of against us', everything that Mint brings to the table makes the transition from Windows to Mint literally a 'no brainer!', something that's been a long time coming but who's time is finally here, to which I and millions of former Windows users will happily testify!
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-27
Votes: 2
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Wie der VW Käfer, es läuft und läuft und läuft. Einsteigerfreundlich, viele Treiber, man muß kaum in die Konsole. Von der Optik sicher nicht sehr modern, aber das kann jeder selbst gut anpassen. Nicht ein Absturz in 2 Jahren, alle Updates laufen sauber durch. Ich habe nichts was mich stören könnte. Parallel wird LMDE entwickelt, ohne Ubuntu Unterbau, falls das mal nötig wird. Was an LMDE stört ist die fehlende Treiberverwaltung, das ist aber nur wichtig wenn man NVIDIA Grafikkarten verwendet. Das löst Mint schon recht gut.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-25
Votes: 19
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The GOAT. Every distro hopping ends by coming back to Mint. Everything just works, and that is the main point for a daily driver. I know it seems more hype to rice an arch based distro, but at the end of the day Mint is so easy to make beautiful to your taste as well. And adding the fact it is a powerhorse, the safe bet is Mint for wide spectrum, and maybe an arch based distro like Cachy for niche needings. From time to time, give a bit of attention to the new kid in the block, then come back to Mint.10/10 for the peace of mind.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-24
Votes: 0
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I've been seeing people complain about silly things with Linux Mint. My experience it that it simply works, with a variety of hardware. ms windows is a paid for OS that is probably the only other system that has run this cleanly for me for the last 20 years. Like windows, you have to know where to go to adjust things to your discretion. Spend the time to learn it. I recently reconfigured Linux Mint to act and look like windows just to see if I could. It was fun! The update process patches all the holes so I suggest people just let it run.....and not be so upset over not having absolute control over every minute process. This is a VERY solid system. Spend the time and get to know it. It’s solid, stable, and is ready out of the box.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-23
Votes: 17
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Linux Mint remains, in my experience, one of the most practical and well-engineered Linux distributions available today. After extensive distro hopping, I consistently return to Mint because it delivers exactly what a daily-driver operating system should: speed, smoothness, and reliability with minimal friction. The system is exceptionally light on resources, boots quickly, and remains responsive even under sustained workloads. Out-of-the-box usability is a major strength—media codecs are easily installable, proprietary NVIDIA drivers are straightforward to configure, and hardware detection is reliable, eliminating the typical post-installation overhead seen in many other distributions.
My setup runs on an older laptop with an Intel i5-7200U and an NVIDIA 940MX, which I primarily use for Python development (with Podman-based workflows) and gaming, particularly Dota 2 on Steam. Despite testing numerous distributions, none have matched the FPS and overall gaming stability I get on Linux Mint—remarkably, this includes Windows as well. From a development standpoint, Mint provides a stable, distraction-free environment that allows me to focus on coding rather than system maintenance. While some critics argue that Mint ships with older packages, this is largely a non-issue in practice: newer software can be compiled from source, installed via Flatpak, or otherwise containerized—exactly as one would do on more bleeding-edge, Arch-based systems. Kernel upgrades are also straightforward if absolutely necessary, though I deliberately avoid them, valuing Mint’s stability over the risk of breaking a working system.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-22
Votes: 14
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OMG, I do not regret switching to Linux Mint from Windows. It just worked right out of the box, and everything just looked super nice and the performance was significantly better than Windows. Not to mention the software manager is SUPER useful and has all the programs i need without needing to go on a website to download. How it updates is so much better compared to windows as well as its just opening the update manager, clicking install update and its done! No need to restart! The customisation is so much better than windows too, like in windows i couldn't change much and it was very basic customisation. But in Linux Mint i can change icon themes, install themes to change how Mint looks all together and it just works without any external programs! The LibreOffice suite is also super cool too! Its completely free and runs locally, unlike that certain 365... And it just works! 10/10.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-01-21
Votes: 0
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Upgrade from 22.2 was flawless. I've tested various distros over the years since the 80's, but keep coming back to LM. Early versions were easy to break by doing simple changes like adding fonts and changing the GUI by adding bad extensions. However, this version has been a solid performer with lots of options to personalize the GUI. Obviously, the developers are doing a great job of testing before releasing, resulting in a very stable system and upgrades. For me, it's near perfect, but still a little room for improvement such as more sort categories in the file manager -- I still can't view or sort my image files by dimensions. However, I can just as easily adjust image files with GIMP as I can with Photoshop Elements on Windows. Another opportunity for improvement would be a decent PDF Editor, but that's not a fault of LM. I prefer to use LM for normal web browsing and file editing. It is much faster than Windows and no ads popping up. Excellent distro! I definitely recommend.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 8
Date: 2026-01-21
Votes: 0
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I have been using Linux Mint on and off since Mint 11 and I can say this release is coming closer, if not the release that I'll start using as my daily os. I'm dual booting with Windows 10 here in Jan 2026, also dual boot on another pc with Win 11. The main thing that had kept me from switching outright as been that it's absolutely necessary for me to use Ms Office because of formatting and speed issues on Linux. The speed of Office on Linux Mint via web browser was way too slow and would not even load large documents, but now seems to be working much better plus being able to add office icons to the desktop as installed apps has helped reach the production levels of working in Windows on native apps. If anything eventually replaces MS Windows for me, it's sure looking like Linux Mint will be it.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-20
Votes: 15
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Simple and effective updating. Clean and simple desktop.
Linux Mint confirms its nature as a reliable distribution, aimed at an audience seeking simplicity and continuity.
The conservative yet technically up-to-date approach is reflected in the management of updates, the aesthetic care of the Cinnamon environment, and the balance between control and automation.
This Linux Mint 22.3 is an excellent gateway to the world of Linux: simple to install, intuitive to use, and supported by a very active community. It combines the stability of Ubuntu with a familiar interface and tools designed for the end user, making it ideal for both beginners and those looking for a reliable and functional system.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-19
Votes: 1
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I'm a total Linux noob and have been using Windows since the mid 90's. I finally moved to Linux Mint after I was unable to upgrade to Windows 11 on my older laptop. Windows 10 was slow, filled with bloat and ads. Linux Mint 22.3 has been quick, smooth comes without any bloat or advertisements! Fantastic experience so far and it has been very easy to navigate from a Windows user. If I do need to use any Windows apps, I can always use Wine or another compatibility layer. Gaming has also been a great experience and I'm actually getting better performance and frame rates!
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-17
Votes: 26
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When Mint is about to update, it always something useful and indeed stable - perfect for work. New troubleshooting instruments gives more control over the system. Previous 22.2 version was perfect for my use scenarios, this one do minor important updates (as always). Mint is not trying to be something it shouldn't be, it is always reliable and never disappoints. Nothing much to tell about this update, and that is why Mint is the best distro for work and everyday use - it's predictable, perfect.
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-01-16
Votes: 12
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Just installed Mint 7 LMDE on my dear old 12" Macbook Pro 8Gb Late 2012, works like an absolute dream, always been a Mint fan, also a Debian fan, so a dream that has come true for me. (MacOS not supported now on this device, or not secure, so wanted to breath life back) Like a brand new laptop now.
Hooked up to monitor via HDMI cable ... bingo.
Installation was easy, even for anyone who is new to Linux Mint, or a bit unsure, go for it people, it just works ...
Thanks Team Mint and Distrowatch.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-15
Votes: 13
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I first saw Linux in March 1995. That was Slackware headless. Early in '96, I found Redhat, and they had a graphic front end. I think that early one was gnome or gnome2 but I have been laughed at, so I don't know. Then we got a version of Windows that was pretty acceptable, so I just played with Linux in VMware boxes. About 2008, I had a massive security mess, which was not really M$ fault, it was mine, but it wouldn't have happened if I'd been on Linux as my daily, so I made the jump. First port was Ubuntu, which by now was all gnome2, which I liked. A few months later, they told us all 'Hey ~ look at this wonderful new thing we're experimenting with, which we call Unity.' Then over about 3 months, it went from wild idea, to shaky alpha, to BETA test, to something you could install and use, to the recommended option, to the only option. It was Unity or the highway, so I walked.
At that point, I came here to distrowatch, to see what else there was, and top place on the list was a thing called Linux Mint, and Mint had a new beta release out featuring a new thing, started in Argentina or some place, called MATE, which was a fork / rebirth of the gnome2 desktop.
"Shut up and take my money!"
I think that was about late 2009 or early 2010, and this is what I've lived in ever since.
So obviously, I rate it very highly.
Historically, the install / live CD comes out before any upgrade path, but going from 22.1 -> 22.2 they swapped that around and the upgrade went live (if you knew what to look for) a couple of days before the ISO came out. Perhaps 36 hours. Same thing this time, going up to 22.3. I was running 22.3 well before mother Mint or any of the mirrors (Ok, I only checked one, aarnet in Australia) had it. Maybe the final BETA is exactly the same as the Gold file, maybe they changed it slightly, I don't know.
There are a couple of new bits & pieces, but my i7-6700 non-k doesn't have a fingerprint reader so that's not a lot of use to me. A couple of the icons look slightly newer and cleaner. (Doesn't have a built-in camera either, or a trusted Microsoft Computing unit, or a Secure Boot That prevents Linux module ~ )
Note : That isn't a complaint, that's a complement. It was pretty right already and it wasn't broken so they didn't fix it.
Folklore & conventional wisdom has it Mint is a good "Beginner Distro" and that's true. It's just a good distro.
If you want to go advanced and very demanding, there's Slackware, there's Linux From Scratch, there's Gentoo, and slightly less 'advanced' than that, there's Arch (actually) and then there are a number of Arch based things like EndeavourOS that are very good. There's Cachy, which is conceptually similar. I have played with all these things, and I still have some of them, in VirtualBoxes, running on my host of Mint + Mate, now up to 22.3, which is very easy and very reliable and very familiar, and I wouldn't change much of anything.
As far as I can see, the only reason you would want something other than Mint, would be so you could look down your long superior nose and say "I use Arch, actually."
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-15
Votes: 9
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Mint is ridiculously good.
Every single other distro I tried to use had me tinker less or more, to the degree that I had to write a goddamn bash-script to set it up (arch btw).
The new menu sucks, but fortunately the community has the Classic Menu available in the Applets section.
Steam works fine (non-flatpak), no annoying notifications every 5 minutes (looking at you, KDE) using Cinnamon, no graphic driver repos that you have to enable manually and then sit in front of a black screen after reboot (fedora), I could write a whole essay about my issues with most other distros... which I'm not gonna.
I've used LM as my first distro and the more distrohopping I did, the more I wished for an OS that "just works" - and Mint does exactly that.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-15
Votes: 8
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Just works, looks good, does everything I need, no issues.
Runs cooler on my laptop than other distros.
I like to distro hop but I keep coming back, usually because of laptop temps.
Started with Unix, yea, I know. Tried to use the early Linux OS but after WEEKS trying to get my printer to work I gave. Sorry I did, took many years for me to finally tell M$ to kiss off.
I've been switching my family and friends to Mint for the last six or eight years.
Really only had one problem, helping someone replace their Windows Quicken.
There are Linux replacements BUT...
Turned out to be a large learning curve for someone who was basically clueless.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-01-14
Votes: 4
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By far my favorite to put on desktops for people that either don't have any experience with Linux.
If they don't want to learn to much "it just works". Software installation is easy with their software manager which has both their own and the ubuntu repo's behind it. Flatpaks are also behind it so installing Spotify, Teams, Steam, ... becomes trivial
Also fun is that they have automatic snapshot functionality for both ext4 and btrfs. The only thing I don't like here that they stopped letting you choose btrfs as filesystem type in the installation menu. (They do still let you manually partition your drive, so if you create a btrfs partition to be mounted as / there you have btrfs-snapshot functionality again)
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-14
Votes: 9
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Coming over from decades of Windows, Mint is very refreshing. I had no idea what this level of freedom felt like. Ridding myself of all the subscriptions, easily customizable, and works fine on my two laptops. The installation is quick and easy. I tried many different distros, but kept coming back to Mint. Maybe it's because the look felt familiar, coming over from Windows. But also knowing that Linux does not treat its users like products to sell. The privacy aspect was defiinitely a deciding factor when choosing a new OS. I have played around with Mint so much; broken things, reinstalled, tried different levels of security - that in just a few months I have learned a great deal. And about Linux, in general, too. The command line was a turnoff years ago, but now I find myself jumping to the terminal for some of the quick things. I love this OS.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 8
Date: 2026-01-14
Votes: 0
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In a long history of evolutionary improvements the newly designed menu in 22.3 is a miss-fire.
It may be responsive, but simple and pleasing it is not. Flat and plain. In short it's no all-girl K-Pop band. There is a new applet that can be downloaded that will enable users to return to the Classic Menu. But if the new menu is an improvement, why is such an applet necessary?
Other new features are welcome additions. An expanded system info is helpful. So does one wiff among several hits kill the deal? Ordinarily, no, but a wiff at the plate when the bases are loaded may send you to arbitration.
Bring back the polish!
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-13
Votes: 10
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This is the one. If you have a friend or relative who needs to start with Linux. You can't find a better starter. I have been on Linux 13+ years. I still keep it on one or more of my computers. I've heard people say things like newbies need to learn and start with Arch / Gentoo. That's like giving a 12 yer old a Ferrari and think hes not going to kill himself or someone else. It a guarantee FAIL! Start them on level 1 easy. Like a game. Let them enjoy it first . If they enjoy it. they will love Linux. You'll be a hero.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-13
Votes: 6
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I have been using Mint since version 17.1, when I was looking at replacing Win XP when support was ending. I have never regretted it, each upgrade just makes the system better and better. I used xfce desktop at first, I thought Cinnamon themes were a bit too fiddly to configure, but I've been using Cinnamon desktop now since Mint 21.x.
Very stylish, lots of themes to browse and customise the desktop.
Mint 22.3 is a great all-rounder, it's so good at just about everything.
Highly recommended.
If you know of anyone who is looking for an Operating System which just allows you to get on with things and doesn't get in the way, point them towards Mint.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-13
Votes: 7
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Linux Mint 22.3 "Zena" is a polished, stable point release focused on quality-of-life improvements and Cinnamon desktop refinements.Rock-solid performance and new features like a redesigned Application Menu, better system info tools, and enhanced file operations (pause/resume), making it ideal for users seeking reliability over cutting-edge novelty. While some find it lacks major innovation, it excels at being a dependable, user-friendly system for everyday use, with updates supporting it until 2029,
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 7
Date: 2026-01-12
Votes: 0
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From a UI look, not much changed on 22.3, but the new menu is really poor. The symbolic icons make it hard to glance at and know what you want. That can be changed easyl enough but changing the Panel (network/volume/battery) icons seems not to be possible.
The new System Administration app is very cool and covers a lot of info which used to be CLI.
Other than the benefits, I think Mint should focus on updating the amdgpu and libreoffice and kernel packages to bring it closer to modern hardware. Maybe not as OOTB, but certainly a user option.
Keeping support for older GPU's needs to be a thing as well as nvidia is dropping support for anything older than 20 series. Like 1050/1060etc.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-12
Votes: 6
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I'm actually on 22.2 at the time of writing this:
Originally when I started out using Linux in 2024 I started with Xubuntu 22.04, but swapped over to Linux Mint in March 2025 when Xubuntu 22.04 was going to EoL and simply because I don't like the whole snappification of Ubuntu.
Linux Mint is incredibily reliable, and has done everything I need it to.
I can play the games I want to play via Heroic Games Launcher, I can type in Japanese using an IME which Linux Mint helpfully explains how to set up.
Web browsing, listening to music, studying, watching videos, communication (via IRC)...
Honestly, there's no reason for me to hop to another distro.
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Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-12
Votes: 9
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Running Linux Mint 22.3 on an older MacBook Pro with an Intel i5 processor and Intel graphics. And Mint 22.3 runs great on it love using it and its perfect for an older MacBook since Apple doesn't support these older Mac's with the current version of MacOS. I also really like the new interface changes which gives it an even more modern aesthetic to keep up with current styles.
I really also like the new System Information app as it gives soo much info up front without having to resort to command line to look up hardware and other information for troubleshooting. Its also much better for the common user when doing phone support or trying to guide someone though troubleshooting. Its just a much more clean easy way of doing something that was alittle more technical in the past.
The new menu system is great but I did notice out of the box I did have to make adjustments to the menu to make it to my liking. For example I had to change my settings to the following to make it more visually pleasing to myself.
Categories Icon Size 15px
Application icon size 24px
Sidebar icon size 28px
Maximum sidebar width 160px
I also placed the search bar on the top while keeping the power on and off in the sidebar. The only thing i would like added in the Sidebar is an option of a separator bar to break up "Places" and "Favorites". Also a feature that would remove the names on the icons (just showing icons only) and put "Places" in one column and "Favorites" in another column side by side each other in the same sidebar.
These are things that can be added later but over its a great modern style menu and is a great addition.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-01-11
Votes: 0
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I've tried many Linux distros since the "80's," and Mint has checked the options I want in an OS more than most. The latest (22.2) has been running stable, and I'm very satisfied with its function and customization. I should mention that I'm a senior--but tech savvy. Enthusiasm for computers started with the release of the Commodore Vic 20, and I've built several desktop computers since. My best advice to new users is, DON'T TINKER THE HELL OUT OF IT! Limit the number of extensions and gadgets. And if the system already does something, such as, change the desktop images on a time schedule, don't add another extension that does the same thing! Stuff like that will break it!!! Just go slow with customizations and the OS will serve you well. Cheers!
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 5
Date: 2026-01-10
Votes: 0
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I had been using Windows for 40ish years but Win11 broke the camels back so in Oct 2025 I switched to Linux Mint 22.1
I had been using Mint 21.x on a 15 year old laptop for a year and it seemed fine. I chose Mint because about half of the other distros refused to accept that I use dual monitors and of course I (stupidly) have an NVIDIA GPU which never gave any problems under Windows and has been one of the biggest problems with Linux.
Setting up 22.1 on the Ryzen 5 2600 desktop went fine. In Windows I was a OneDrive user with 1TB $torage so I tried to set up OneDriver which worked for a couple days then stopped. I gave up synching and manually moved stuff to OD from my Home folder.
It took me a few tries and a couple days to set up and debug Steam, to get my games installed and working. But finally they did. I have an 1TB NVME, a 500GB USB drive, a 4TB SATA internal, a 250GB internal SSD and a 1TB WD internal HDD. I was setting up Jellyfin and was having problems because the USB drives and the system NVME automounted on boot but the USB and internal drives did not and it was screwing up the Jellyfin setup (wiping out the Collections on every boot). Trying to automount the HDD caused me to brick the system so I finally had the chance to install 22.2 (because there is no upgrade path yet)
HUGE mistake going to 22.2. I installed with the generic Nouveau graphics driver but Cinnamon seemed to freeze everyday the whole system would freeze causing a hard reboot. I read this could be graphics related so I installed NVIDIA 580 (recommended). Localsend (for transferring files between my phone and desktop) stopped working. AI blamed the graphics driver and the Linux kernel 6.14
I tried switching to NVIDIA 570 - nope LocalSend still wouldn't work (it had been fine with Mint 21.x). I remembered I had been running (recommended) NVIDIA 470 on the old Mint so I tried installing that and got an error with the installation. Great now I am slowly bricking my system again. AI said kernel 6.14 was the problem so I tried downgrading to 6.8 (as 6.11 was endoflife) Error message trying to downgrade to that kernel.
Sad to say now I don't trust the installation any more having had apps that used to work that now don't, errors with the graphics driver and the kernel and daily system freezes.
A week ago I would have given Mint a score of 8. Today it's a 5 and I may reinstall 22.1
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 7
Date: 2026-01-08
Votes: 0
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tl;dr yet another "old packages" complain
Mint was my first bare-metal distro, I installed it on the beginning of 2025 (~March). I chose it because Mental Outlaw (youtuber) keeps recommending it for years. Installation was quick and easy and took about 20 min, the installation part made easy to migrate out of Windows. Mint have the best community imo. Cinnamon layout similar to Windows make it things more user-friendly. Though like other user said, since it doesn't have the most recent packages I felt weird, I was expecting to rice it and to use KDE Plasma, I was also expecting to try Wayland (I don't care about that Wayland vs Xorg fight, but I at least wanted to try both of them to see which one I like more) but (iirc) it wasn't officially supported, repos also didn't have fastfetch and I had to compile it, the Anki version on the GUI store was like from years ago (and with screenshots from years ago too), and I had to do it myself, LibreOffice Calc was also old and didn't even have dark more iirc so I had to install the recent version by myself. I found it hard as a beginner to install packages (since the repos didn't have some I wanted, and the ones that were there had less features due to being old). Linux Mint website also uses Sucuri Firewall and they block Tor users from just reading the website and forum posts, maybe they are scared of having their website hacked (again), but that is still not cool.
Rating it as a 7 due to the ease of install and friendly community, otherwise I'd rank lower. As a beginner I expected things up-to-date OOTB so things could really "just work" for my needs (e.g. Anki up-to-date is a must for studies), and the freedom to test more of Linux's ecosystem like KDE Plasma. It took 20 min to install, but a huge amount of time to maintain (like learning how to compile software)
Still, great thanks to Linux Mint for helping me to (very quickly) get out of Microsoft, otherwise I'd lose more months on Windows reading guides on how to install Linux before really installing it, therefore creating more personal files and installing more programs on Windows, thefefore making backups/migration harder every second I wasn't installing Linux.
Solution if Linux Mint team is reading this:
- make users experience to keep their system with recent packages more user-friendly, maybe official documentation (I think the community is now creating a wiki, so that's cool), I personally don't believe people migrating from Windows will like "stability",I think they are expecting Windows but without Microsoft and open-source. high risk high reward, making packages less stable might be a good idea, or maybe mod apt defaults
- support Wayland and KDE Plasma
- mod Sucuri firewall to whitelist Tor exit nodes
That was just my experience as a Linux (Mint) newbie 😀
I no longer use Mint, now I know about Linux better and how to research better, so some problems were likely my skill issues, but I stiil think worth sharing my experience
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-05
Votes: 19
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I've been 'around the block' with Linux for more year's than I care to remember. Everything that's been available from the late '90s on I've 'played with', hoping to find something I could stick with long term. It wasn't until '05 with Ubuntu making its appearance that things started to 'get real' for me as far as reliable 'daily driver' Linux desktop use was concerned. A year later Ubuntu based Mint showed up, and from then until now it’s been my 'go to' Linux OS.
Lots of really good distros available today, the best of the best in my view Debian based, as Ubuntu and Ubuntu based Mint are. Fifteen years ago, when Mint first offered Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE 1), I jumped at the chance to install that initial 'rolling release' version of LMDE. What I found was that while the concept behind LMDE 1 was attractive the actual implementation wasn't what I'd hoped it would be, which turned out to be not only the general consensus at that time but a 'blessing in disguise' as Mint buckled down and got serious about its LMDE project.
Since then I've kept a close eye on the progress Mint's Debian Edition has made, keeping track of the steady improvements it has shown. LMDE 5, 6 and 7 have convinced me that Mint is serious about its Debian based distro - so much so that I've installed LMDE 7 on all my computers, seeing it as the 'BEST of The BEST' when it comes to purely Debian based desktop OS’s.
I've installed and run pretty much every Debian based distro there’s ever been, including MEPHIS Linux (which I loved), antiX, MX Linux, Sparky Linux, Q4OS, and the new PCLOS Debian editions with the MATE desktop environment pre-installed. Each of these, along with many others, I’ve put through their paces for weeks at a time on my test machine.
Of all the Debian based distros I’ve tried out this past year, LMDE 7 is my #1 choice for an 'Install It and Get Right to Work' Debian desktop OS. Yes, I do make certain changes to the basic LMDE installation for my own use - nothing that's necessary for the vast majority of users, just things I've grown accustomed to over the years like replacing Cinnamon with Mate’, adding the latest Wine release, and installing a couple of high end graphics programs that I work with every day, plus some personal touches to my OS setup that LMDE 7 handles flawlessly.
For the majority of users, including my oldest son and the work he does, Cinnamon is and likely always will be their favorite DE, no doubt in my mind. But long time 'dyed in the wool' Gnome 2x/ Mate’ users like myself find that running the following 2 terminal commands when LMDE 7 is first installed is ‘just something we do!’
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sudo apt install mate-desktop-environment
sudo apt install mate-desktop-environment-extras
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I can simply reboot at this point and choose either Cinnamon or Mate’ at the log-in prompt, leaving both desktop environments in place. Personally however, after installing Mate’ I run the following terminal command and remove Cinnamon entirely.
Not that there’s anything wrong with Cinnamon, just that it’s ‘not really my thing’.
----------------------------------------------
sudo apt purge cinnamon* muffin* nemo*
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-01-03
Votes: 8
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While the product is generally satisfactory and functions without any initial setup issues, it largely lacks excitement. Despite its reliability and user-friendliness, there isn't much to say beyond the fact that it performs as expected right after installation. Consequently, I find myself without additional comments or observations to offer, as its basic functionality is its most defining characteristic.
So a solid 9 from me. I often get back to Mint. After some time I have the urge to try something new.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-03
Votes: 21
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In my experience, Linux Mint deserves a 10/10. It is a very stable distribution that makes you feel safe and confident in daily use. If you prefer a traditional and conservative desktop environment, you will appreciate Cinnamon: it is simple, straightforward, responsive, and offers many useful applets and actions that can be downloaded and added to the context menu.
If you spend a lot of time reading, you will also find Cinnamon very comfortable for the eyes. I have tested many other distributions and found it to be among the best in this regard (along with PCLinuxOS), perhaps due to its thoughtful choice of colors and themes.
The only major drawback is that some packages and applications are slightly outdated, although this can be mitigated by using PPAs for specific software.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-02
Votes: 14
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I began my move away from Windows starting with Ubuntu in ‘05, and then with Ubuntu based Linux Mint in '06. Been with Mint ever since.
I’ve tested every promising Ubuntu based offering that’s come along over the years, to see if anything comes close to the fit, polish and overall utility that Mint brings to my daily desktop.
A couple of distros have shown up over the years -- Debian based Mepis Linux back in the day, followed by its successor MX Linux -- that I consider worthy examples of desktop systems that cater to the more technically inclined among us without getting ‘too weird’ in the process.
But for the vast majority of today’s Windows 11 users looking for a ‘common sense on-ramp’ to desktop Linux, nothing takes the place of Ubuntu based Linux Mint.
Since ‘06 Mint has been the ‘gold standard’ by which every Ubuntu based desktop distro has been measured, and to this day it maintains its ‘user first’ focus unerringly – creating a user focused desktop environment that has enjoyed its well deserved “Ubuntu Done Right” label from its appearance in ‘06 to the present day!
One of the things that appeals to me about today's Mint, beyond it's 'ready to work right out of the box' reputation, is that Mint makes it easy to configure the OS any way I like. Offering a choice of Cinnamon, Mate' and Xfce desktop environments, users can pick the one they're most comfortable with a proceed confidently from there. Newer users typically choose the Cinnamon desktop, while more experienced Mint users go with Mate' or Xfce, depending on the hardware they're using and the work they have to get done.
Which ever of these three desktop environments one chooses, the underlying system on which it runs is Linux Mint through and through -- "Ubuntu Done Right" for the modern era and the foreseeable future -- the 'off-ramp' from Windows 11 and the 'on-ramp' to desktop Linux that's the long time favorite of new and more experienced Linux users as well!..
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-01
Votes: 9
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Familiar Interface: The flagship Cinnamon desktop provides a classic Windows-like experience with a taskbar, start menu, and system tray, making it immediately intuitive for switchers.
"Out of the Box" Usability: It comes pre-installed with essential software (LibreOffice, Firefox, VLC) and simplifies the installation of proprietary drivers and multimedia codecs through a dedicated Driver Manager.
Stability & Long-Term Support: Based on Ubuntu LTS releases, Mint versions are supported for 5 years (e.g., Mint 22.x is supported until 2029).
Customization: While appearing "boring" by default, the system is highly flexible via Desklets, Applets, and themes.
Security Mindset: Newer releases (22.x) prioritize security by disabling unverified Flatpak applications by default and requiring password authentication for major system changes
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-12-26
Votes: 25
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Linux Mint22.2 xfce, xfce itself is said to be great on older computers, but it isn't true, it is great on any computer. I don't have an aging potato and still prefer it as my daily driver. Xfce + Linux Mint is wonderful. Fast, snappy, stable, looks good. Clem and his team did a great job. My machine runs quietly. A sound choice of default apps. Like a typical xfce distro it doesn't have animations out of the box but if you like them, Mint xfce comes with Compiz window manager installed but not activated. Should you like to have the magic lamp, wobble windows or desktop cube effect, you may have them. Personally, I prefer my Mint simple and snappy, without animations though. No issues whatsoever so far. Recommend it.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-12-25
Votes: 14
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User-Friendly Interface: Its default Cinnamon desktop provides a layout similar to Windows 7 and 10, making it intuitive for new users.
"Out-of-the-Box" Functionality: It comes pre-installed with essential software (Firefox, LibreOffice, VLC) and multimedia codecs, requiring minimal setup after installation.
Performance on Older Hardware: While it requires a capable machine for full features, lighter versions like Xfce or MATE can revitalize 10-year-old hardware.
Stability and Reliability: Mint uses a conservative update approach, focusing on long-term support (LTS) releases that prioritize system stability over having the absolute newest features.
Security and Privacy: It is inherently more secure than Windows against most malware and does not collect user data or include OS-level advertisements.
Vast Software Repository: Based on Ubuntu, it has access to over 30,000 packages through its easy-to-use Software Manager
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-12-25
Votes: 13
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As a new Linux Mint user, migrating from Windows to Mint was slow and tedious, since the software packages I use are exclusive to Windows. But miraculously, with some clever Wine tricks, I managed to maintain some flexibility. Later, I learned that you can have a virtual environment and a dual-boot environment, and that, by selecting Linux or Windows from a menu, you have all the variations and advantages that a sea of possibilities offers. Now, with Linux as my base, I have the entire ecosystem implemented, and in the end, Windows has remained as an option in case things get complicated with some software. But, over time, I will adapt to Linux without needing to depend entirely on Windows. The learning curve in Linux is constant and varies depending on the situation. Between Arch and Debian, I found Debian easier to use; some people get along better with Arch, etc., but in the end, Linux is more intuitive and less intrusive than Windows.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-12-23
Votes: 55
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Linux Mint is a, fast, stable and easy-to-use distro. I’ve been using it for a couple years and I haven’t had problems using it. It has everything you need for day-to-day use of web browsing, watching videos and listening to music using the VLC Media Playe, doing office work using LibreOffice, etc. It stays out of my way while I need to get work done and when I also want to use it for entertainment purposes, so that’s a plus too. There are a lot of different themes, wallpapers, etc. that you can easily get right from where you choose your personalization options, I haven’t seen any other distro have that! You can also find even more personalization options looking at different sites like Cinnamon look, Mate look, XFCE look, etc. There’s also a site one called Cinnamon Spices which I recommend too. The developer listens and does an awesome job with keeping the community up to date on things about the distro. The community is friendly and helpful too.
I recommend Linux Mint.
I give it a 9 out of 10 even though it’s perfect for me, I do not like the minimalism and flat design look, that always was so plain, boring and honestly, reminds me of the sterilization that the covid pandemic, and the chaos that caused in its wake. I’d rather have skeuomorphic back again just like how it was before- now that takes detail, design and effort and it shows the care and human quality that should be in electronic interfaces we interact with- imo.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-12-22
Votes: 17
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Linux Mint is, without a doubt, the best, most user-friendly, and intuitive Linux distribution I've ever tried.
Everything feels well thought out, stable, and polished, making it perfect both for beginners and for more experienced users who just want a system that works.
The desktop environment is clean, fast, and comfortable to use every day.
It has become my favorite Linux distribution, and I truly appreciate the amazing work done by the developers and the community.
Greetings from Argentina! 🇦🇷
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 4
Date: 2025-12-22
Votes: 0
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It comes with the following major disadvantages:
It's based on Ubuntu primarily, Ubuntu being the worst Linux distros (the Windows of Linux) and its maker BFF of Microsoft!
It comes with old packages because it's based on the LTS version of Ubuntu.
It doesn't use any software based on Qt, Qt being the best software development tookit for graphics interfaces.
It doesn't support Plasma desktop environment, which is the best one for Linux, including for gaming.
None of the offered desktop environments have mature Wayland support, which is mandatory for the best privacy and security.
Compared to Debian + Plasma, it's just very far behind.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-12-14
Votes: 30
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I began my Mint journey at the beginning, Mint 2.0, and it was not easy getting that image on CD over dial-up. But, I managed it and I've used Mint off and on ever since. I have stuck with it more in the past ten years because it was easy and useful for my everyday laptop use. I only keep Windows 11 around mostly to do my taxes each year. Mint has been getting better and better ever since Mint 17, so I have had no complaints at all. In the past ten years I have had no problems at all with drivers and any other issues that used to plague Linux in general (my first distro was Red Hat 5.2). Thanks so much for a operating system that "just works". :)
Gordon Eldridge
old Linux user
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-12-14
Votes: 27
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I have been using Linux off and on for the past 5 or so years. I have done a lot of distro hopping, in doing so, I have used rolling releases like Manjaro and also few Ubuntu based distros. Out of all of them, my favorite has become Linux Mint. Why? Because it is easy to use, very stable and everything just works on it
The Cinnamon desktop is well organized, easy to use and the desktop layout will be familiar to Windows users. During my distro hopping I fell in love with the KDE Plasma desktop so I just installed it using the terminal.
Is Mint perfect? No, then why did I give it a rating of 10? Because it does everything I need it to do without any problems. So now, it has become my daily driver. I feel no need to explore other distros now.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-12-10
Votes: 31
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rTLDR: Mint is a very stable and easy to use flavor of Linux. A great option for people migrating from Windows.
After 25 or so years of dipping my toes into Linux distros, I finally made the leap to fully replace my windows install with Mint. I had recently tried other distros of Linux like Pop!_OS to varying degrees of success, but mint has been the easiest and most stable version of Linux I have ever used. Things like adding, removing programs, drivers, and other system changes didn't totally break the OS like it has others I've used in the past.
If you're coming form Windows and need something that just works, look no further.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-12-04
Votes: 24
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Having used various Linux distributions over the years, I consistently return to Linux Mint as my definitive choice for a reliable and polished daily driver. Its greatest strength lies in its unwavering commitment to user experience and stability. The development team masterfully curates a complete desktop environment that works flawlessly upon installation, eliminating the notorious driver hassles and configuration marathons often associated with other operating systems. For users migrating from Windows, the Cinnamon desktop presents a familiar yet superior workflow that is intuitive without being simplistic, and powerful without being overwhelming.
Beyond the initial comfort, Mint's true value shines in its long-term maintenance. The update manager wisely distinguishes between critical security patches and potentially disruptive system changes, granting the user control and preserving the system's integrity. This thoughtful approach, combined with robust built-in tools for backups, software management, and system snapshots, fosters a profound sense of trust and control. It's a distribution that respects the user's time and intelligence, proving that you don't need a rolling-release model or cutting-edge packages to have a supremely competent, secure, and enjoyable computing experience. For anyone seeking a rock-solid foundation for work, creativity, or general use, Linux Mint remains the gold standard in the desktop Linux world.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-30
Votes: 19
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After many years of using Windows, I switched to version 22.2 of Linux Mint and found it just as easy to use. Maximum compatibility and enviable stability are the main qualities of this distro. Easy to use for both beginners and advanced users. Very intuitive installation wizard with useful customization tips.
Programs installed by default that are useful for everyday use, many others are available in the repository. In recent years, Linux has made great strides in simplifying and improving the user experience, and I believe it can also be used by novice users.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-11-29
Votes: 13
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Hi, I've been using Mint for about a month, but not every day. I come from Microsoft systems (client and server). I appreciate Mint's minimalism, speed, and robustness. It's also more ‘clean’ in terms of personal data organization. I appreciate Timeshift, and I'm using Deja Dup for data backup. Both are set and forget. Very good!
The only problem was during the final installation. In the first installations, I tried manual mode, but I'm not yet experienced enough with Mint/Gnu Linux and wasn't sure I had done it right. I had doubts about the correctness and optimization of the configured partitions and was not sure of the correct result (even though it worked). So I did an automatic installation: I used an image from Ventoy on an external SSD with a larger capacity than the internal NVMe in the laptop. The installer thought that the disk to be installed was the external one and deleted Ventoy and all the ISOs it contained... (It was also my fault for not checking the installation path...). Apart from that, Mint convinced me to switch from Microsoft to Gnu Linux (but I still keep a partition with MS Windows to finish the migration/config and until I am sure of the configuration and stability). Thank you!
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-11-28
Votes: 6
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Having been an MS-DOS and MS-Windows user for more than 40 years, Linux Mint 22.2 is very easy and straightforward to use. I bought a recycled Lenovo ThinkPad 480 with Linux Mint 21.3 installed and everything worked out of the box. The only exceptions were wireless headphones and wireless printing, which for some reason did not work. However, that is not a problem for me and I havenøt done anything to correct it.
I have found software solutions for practically all of my needs now, and only miss a few dedicated MS-Windows programs that I used at work. Since I have retired now, this is a minor problem. On the other hand, it is a bliss to use FOSS software only and the amount of advertisements and garbage information received is very small. Privacy and protection seems quite adequate.
I really appreciate all of the software being updated automatically whenever it needs to be, and the entire system seems very stable and work flawlessly. When I use it outside of its home set-up, it also works flawlessly with whatever wifi and presentation hardware are available.
The hardware (Lenovo ThinkPad 480) is of course slightly dated now, but absolutely sufficient for running Linux, and for running most standard tasks. Screen resolution is 1920x1080/1200, which is fine for most tasks. All considered, I couldn't be happier :-)
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-24
Votes: 27
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Beginning two decades ago Mint's developers have consistently 'nailed it' with what 'daily driver' users recognize as the 'sweet spot' they're looking for with a 'provide everything you'll need while staying out of your way' desktop operating system.
Linux Mint 22.2, built on the latest Ubuntu LTS base, adds Mint specific apps, modern UI's with a 'traditional look and feel, and unique Minty improvements that set it apart as the 'Best of the best' when it comes to a daily use desktop OS, is quite simply without equal in the highly competitive world of Ubuntu based distros.
If you're a new user just moving away from the 'in your face hot mess' that Windows 11 has become, and you're looking for a desktop OS you can depend on to work quietly and efficiently in the background without ads, intrusive pop-ups and all kinds of unwanted and unneeded bloatware constantly 'in your face' while you try to go about your daily computing chores, there's nothing better than what you'll find in the 'get right to work out of the box' balance and unmatched capability that Linux Mint provides its desktop OS users.
Sure, there's lots to choose from 'out there' in the world of open-source distros, and on occasion, in you're spare time, it's kinda fun to explore other approaches to what a Linux desktop OS can be.
But for the rock solid, no surprises, 'Daily Driver OS' that most of us want and need, Linux Mint provides its users with an unrivaled degree of adaptability to whatever their desktop needs may be, ..the sort of year after year dependability that has set Mint apart from the Ubuntu based crowd for as long as Mint as been around - and still does today!
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Version: 21.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-11-23
Votes: 0
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I am still using an Acer Aspire One 725 laptop that was produced in 2011, because this hardware is too old to use the newer 6.x kernel version. Linux Mint 21, which uses the 5.x kernel, still supports this laptop's hardware, especially the VGA card. Of course, this laptop is not really used for work, but as a multimedia server using a Samba server connected to a smart TV, and it works really well. Naturally, some hardware upgrades have been made, including adding RAM up to 4 gigabytes and replacing the hard drive with an SSD.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-21
Votes: 24
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I've run Linux Mint the past 19+ years, and it has never truly disappointed. Based on Ubuntu's latest long term support release, Clem and his development team, beginning two decades ago, have consistently hit what users everywhere recognize as the 'sweet spot' that users are looking for with desktop Linux.
Taking Ubuntu's LTS base and adding Mint specific apps and unique improvements that set Linux Mint apart as the 'Best of the best' when it comes to a daily use Linux desktop OS, there simply is no equal to Mint in the highly competitive world of Ubuntu LTS based distros.
Whether you're a new Linux user, just stepping away from the mess that Microsoft made of Windows, or you're a long time Linux user like myself, if what you're looking for is a Linux desktop OS that you can depend on day after day, month after month, and year after year, there's simply nothing better anywhere than you'll find in the overall design balance and unmatched capability that Linux Mint provides its users.
Sure, there's lots to choose from 'out there', and on occasion it's kinda fun to explore other approaches to what a Linux desktop OS can be. But for the rock solid, no surprises, 'Daily Driver OS' that most of us want and need, Linux Mint provides the sort of unrivaled adaptability to whatever our desktop needs may be that has set it apart from the LTS based crowd for a very long time.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-07
Votes: 44
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Linux Mint is a super awesome GNU/Linux distro! I switched to it as a Windows user and it was great. like most Linux distros, Linux Mint is less bloated, have no AI, and is lighter than modern Windows. I installed Linux Mint on an old laptop made from almost 2 decades ago and it worked completely fine! I think Linux Mint is great for older computers and Windows users who need to switch to Linux. GNU/Linux is honestly better than Windows because Microsoft keeps making problems in Windows even worse.
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-07
Votes: 24
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I have been using Linux on and off for the past 15 years. I've used mainly Arch/Debian based distros, among others. I was using a stripped down version of Windows 11 with a local account and it worked for the most part. The straw that broke the camels back for me leaving windows for good is that Microsoft is forcing people to use a Microsoft account for everything soon,which is more bloat, telemetry and the like. I'm tired of Windows workarounds just to get a halfway decent desktop experience. After testing Arch, Fedora, and Debian, I found that LMDE worked best out of the box for my Asus Rog Strix gaming laptop (2021). Wifi and sound worked with no configuration, I just had to install Nvidia drivers, Winehq, and Lutris. I can play Battle.net games and Steam games with no issue. I could install pure Debian and configure it myself, but I like the mint tool set, it makes setup a breeze. Kudos to the Mint team for such a great distro!!!
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-05
Votes: 23
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Big thanks to the Mint team for this version of Linux . I run 22.2 on my Dell mid tower workstation , with Nvidia GPU , Xeon processor and parity checking ram , works great with minimal setup . I have a couple of older Lenovo Thinkpad laptops , t430i and t470 with Intel core i5 vPro , I like the fact that LMDE 7 runs so well on this older hardware , right out of the box , and I can keep them out of the landfill . They are not for gaming , just web surfing , e-mails and shopping online . Personally I will never go back to Windows after over 20 years of using many versions , LMDE 7 feels like Windows 7 without any bloat or spy ware , just a very useful desktop to get things done . You can set up an older obsolete Windows 10 machine , and make it useful for years to come . Give it a try , you may be surprised . Again , thanks to the Mint team .
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-05
Votes: 15
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Over the years, I've experimented with many Linux distributions, but my final stop feels like Linux Mint. The Cinnamon 22.2 release truly stands out for its ease of use and elegance. When I first started with Linux, the terminal was indispensable, yet now I find myself rarely needing it. Linux Mint Cinnamon has perfectly balanced power and simplicity, allowing even root access directly from the right-click menu—a handy feature that feels modern and efficient. The desktop is clean, uncluttered, and thoughtfully designed with only essential tools needed for most workflows.
In today's world, dominated by Agentic AI and generative AI tools, my attraction to the terminal has diminished. I prefer interacting with my system intuitively, without the hassle of typing commands endlessly. Linux Mint Cinnamon 22.2 meets that desire beautifully, offering a fluid, user-friendly experience that empowers both beginners and seasoned users alike.
Overall, this distro has transformed my Linux experience into something more accessible and enjoyable than ever before.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-30
Votes: 34
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I've been struggling with a bug that makes the screen completely frozen and the only way to free it is to either SSH into it or hard reset the computer. Tried different kernel parameters, and while they reduce the chance of the bug occurring, they don't make it go away completely. Even tried out LMDE 7 where the bug still persisted. Apparently it has something to do with AMDGPU drivers.
Linux Mint 22.2 is the only distro where this hasn't happened. Everything just works! It comes with all the essentials, and you can easily remove stuff you don't need using the included software manager. I like to remove Flatpak support by running 'sudo apt purge flatpak gir1.2-flatpak-1.0' in the terminal, that way the software manager only shows native packages which I prefer.
I have to say, after running distros like Arch and Debian, using a beginner friendly distro like Linux Mint is a breath of fresh air. It just works, doesn't get in your way and you can actually get some work done.
10/10
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 7
Date: 2025-10-28
Votes: 0
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I like LMDE 7 for its Debian roots, but Cinnamon still isn't my favorite DE in that it still feels kind of old and dated.
I may try a KDE version or maybe revert back to some other KDE distro. I am in the early stages of finding a good distro to run on minimal but modern hardware. I have one of those China mini PC's with a Alder Lake N95 and 16 Gb RAM. It runs Windows 11 OK, but clearly the PC maker has some questionable hardware that I found challenging to update drivers. Lot of weird names that I was unfamiliar with and limited driver support. Linux Mint LMDE seemed like a good place to start trying Linux on this little box. Everything hardware wise works, but it feels slow even slower then Windows 11. Wifi worked, but seemed locked to slower 2.4Ghz band even though it has a WiFi 6 card. Unfortunately, the WiFi/Bluetooth card is soldered to board and is a Realtek8821ce. Which isn't the best for Linux as I found in the past. Its not very good on Windows either, but at least gets 5Ghz band. I like the ideal of Debian in Mint but I don't think it works for me on this device. I will have to continue my search for something a bit more modern and with better kernel that fixes my WiFi issues.
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-10-27
Votes: 15
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I installed LMDE6 and did a new install of the LMDE7. My primary reason to use this distro if for the complete hard drive encryption on an older laptop that only does banking and other duties where I want security. It performs well for my intended purpose on that laptop.
Subquently I installed LMDE on a newer laptop with an i7 processor and 16gigs of memory for my daily driver. It takes a little longer to load than I would like but it's OK. I do not like Cinnamon in its present form as it is not customizable to my liking.
If it could be customized it would be a very nice DE.
I installed MATE and log into it insteard of Cinnamon, after a couple of weeks it seems to operate well. I have not had any issues with Cinnamon or the MATE overlay.
The only package included package which did not work well for me was Shutter but I installed an alternative package.
I have tried other straight DEB distros and ihis is the distro to use if you prefer straight Debian and you can have full disc encryption if you want.
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 5
Date: 2025-10-27
Votes: 0
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I participated in the beta test of LMDE7. As with Debian 13 I found LMDE7 having the same issues with Bluetooth. All desktop environments relying on 'blueman' appear to be affected. Bluetooth OBEX doesn't work on my (pretty standard) hardware in these cases. However this is not an issue with Debian 13 GNOME as that doesn't use 'blueman'.
Ubuntu LTS based distros use a newer version of 'blueman' then Debian 13. I have not have had any issues with Bluetooth on Linux Mint 22.1.
My bug report was rejected as 'observation' and 'upstream'. I wish that my issue would have been addressed by putting a more recent version of blueman into the Mint repositories to fix this. I can't use LMDE7 as a daily driver, as I rely on a fully working Bluetooth setup.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-10-26
Votes: 10
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As Microsoft bluntly and Apple stylishly turned spyware, there aren't many alterantives nowadays but to use Linux if privacy is of any concern to you.
Therefore and coming from Windows 10 I choose Linux Mint because many Linux dudes on Youtube said so. And boy, what good advice that was.
First look via bootable USB stick, then dual boot with Windows before Linux Mint became my daily driver and Windows removed for good from my system. All of this within a timeframe of about one year.
Linux Mint is easy to use and runs quick and solid even on older hardware. And so it didn't take long for me to 'feel home' and - in regard of privacy - finally secure again.
So if you are interested, give it a try, it won't hurt you. On the contrary! :)
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-21
Votes: 28
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I tried several times to switch from Windows to Linux in my life. Often I had to get back to Windows.
It was not the recent update of Windows 10 to 11 which kind of forced me reconsider using Windows or Linux it was the update from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. Since then (around 3 years ago) I tried Linux Mint again. I need to use the system on a daily basis for work and was hesitant to make a full switch (so I kept outdated Windows 8.1 in the back, just in case). - It turned out Linux Mint developed so much that everything works just fine and I'm using it now for around 3 years without the need to use Windows again.
Of course, sometimes I stumble upon some problems, but usually you find the solution in the Linux Mint Forums or on the internet. Also the community there is quite nice and helps newbies a lot.
I suggest to give it a try (especially if your hardware is full well, but Windows 11 just won't accept it anymore).
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-10-20
Votes: 16
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An incredible Linux distribution. It is easy to install, customize, and use as a daily driver. I tested Linux Mint 22.2 with the latest Cinnamon on a laptop with an AMD CPU, AMD GPU and a SATA SSD. The installer was straightforward and it detected my Wi-Fi, audio, and drivers without manual steps. Idle RAM usage was low during testing and the desktop felt responsive on this hardware. Daily tasks worked as expected: video playback in VLC, office work with LibreOffice, e-mail in Thunderbird, and web browsing in Firefox. For most users, Linux Mint works perfectly as a daily driver.
Stability was still solid after 3 weeks of use and the system defaults are sensible for newcomers. Software Manager and APT handled updates cleanly, and Flatpak support out of the box made it easy to install the few apps not packaged by the distribution. As said, everything you expect to be able to do on a Desktop Linux system can be done, watching videos, office work, emails, browsing the web, etc. The documentation is easy to follow and the support is great at the Linux Mint forums. The default DE (Cinnamon) is in my opinion the best option out of all of the ones provided, it's a very solid desktop environment with first rate development. Stability is also great on the desktop due to the distribution being built off of a solid foundation with more sensible defaults.
The only point I deduct is for the lack of options for desktop environments (DEs) besides the default Cinnamon desktop. Don't get it twisted, MATE and Xfce are both fine options, but they are largely X11-only for now with only experimental Wayland sessions, the same as Cinnamon. I think the distribution is currently lacking choices for users who want a mature Wayland session, and I think the solution would be to package something like KDE Plasma, which is a desktop environment with design elements similar to Cinnamon and in my use has by far the greatest support for Wayland across various system architectures. It is highly customizable, like Cinnamon, and ships with stable defaults and a classic look. It has a taskbar (panel) on the bottom, an application launcher on the left, and a system tray and clock on the right. It also supports desktop icons.
This is not far-fetched, as Mint used to package KDE Plasma, and I feel many would love to see it offered again. It is one of the most requested options among Mint users, and I think many would choose to use it. It is technically possible to install KDE from the repositories, but that setup is not supported and recommended by the distribution and can cause issues.
Aside from this, which is admittedly a temporary issue as Cinnamon’s Wayland session matures, I have no complaints about Mint.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-19
Votes: 9
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I installed one just for DJing with MIXXX it has been a blast, aster that I installed on 4 more PCs for my home, my kids have been playing minecraft, Ive been doing pics touch ups with GIMP, Djing with MIXXX (not a single freeze), My older kid is having a blast with all the free flatpacks for education apps, I even found a numismatic app, they build a whatsapp client and also found Audio editing way more easy here, I always thought that my output files be incompatible wit my PC files, Im so glad this guys built this to get away from windows 11, keep up the good work!!!!
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-18
Votes: 30
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I don't care what others do, and with all due respect for the Arch and Fedora based distros, and even ubuntu itself, I cannot think of a better combination of pure mint on top of pure latest and greatest debian!
You take the sleekness of mint, based on the rock solid debian and the rest is history!
Robustness, performance, and popularity, ALL IN ONE!
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-16
Votes: 15
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I'll tell ya right now, THIS is the best starting place for any new linux user or non-techie. It works great, requires very little customization out of the box, and just works well. Everything is set up for you in a classic interface that works.
If your a bit more skilled with this sorta thing, theres plenty of customization as well! You dont have to mess with it, but its there if you want from Applets to Spices.
Never had any problems with it. Customizable enough in a simple ui if you want it but fine out of the box. This is my recommended distro for the beginners and those who simply dont wish to spend 5 hours every day making sure it still works. Try it out, and enjoy the ride!
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-15
Votes: 8
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Just finished clean installs of LMDE7 on 3 desktops and 1 notebook. The 3 desktops went without a hitch with none of the minor install glitches I had on LMDE6. The notebook had a weird problem. After the install, the 1st reboot kept saying "partition error". I did everything from deleting the disk to going back and forth from converting GPT disk to MSDOS disk and vice versa. It ended up being a boot flag not being set. Gparted helped with that. All 3 desktops went without a hitch and then the notebook came up with that problem out of the blue. I had LMDE6 on it and it never happened until I went to LMDE7. Weird.
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-10-13
Votes: 12
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On a whim, tried installing some of the Debian Pure Blends, and they mostly worked other than some just being really, really old. Admittedly, it was on a VM, but the idea that you can get Mint UI with Debian solidity is amazing. Next time I install Mint, it'll be LMDE. There's nothing wrong with 22.2, so this will just be curiosity sated. Debian 13 is solid, and LMDE gives that base with the ease of use Mint experience.
Would be even better to get a true LTS experience like Windows. That may not really be the idea of Mint, but to appeal to more people, I think a 10-year path, comparable to WinXP, 7 and 10 is needed. 5-year is just not long enough.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-12
Votes: 35
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I am not a programmer but a retired 70 year old electrician & graphic designer. I have used the various versions of Linux Mint (MATE and Cinnamon) for the past 15 years. No, it is not a MSWindows look-alike, but it does everything Window does but intelligently, All the basics are there if you take the time to familiarise yourself. You can even run some windows programs on the WINE app. Yes the last installable version of Photoshop runs just fine.
If you like the seduction of trivial eye candy it has it too - wobbly windows and animated transitions. But, if you require an operating system for serious work that does not spy on you, limit your choices and generally frustrates you then DITCH WINDOWS and try Linux Mint . It will not cost you anything.
You can even try Mint out on your Windows PC with a bootable USB stick and Ventoy, (if dumbed-down Windows does not prevent you from exercising your right to choose).
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-12
Votes: 8
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I’ve been using Mint for years and it keeps getting better. It’s been easy to use, always looks great (with tons of customizations available to download), is very stable, and speedy. The forums are active and I’ve gotten a lot of help over the years if I’ve needed it, very friendly community and developers that are there for you and kind. I use Mint on an older Toughbook laptop (CF-19) and it was able to recognize and connect to my wifi flawlessly. I haven’t hooked up a printer to it yet, but I will sometime to test it out.
I recommend Mint highly.
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Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-12
Votes: 12
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LMDE 7's full release showed up on the OCF mirrors a few days ago. After downloading and installing it in place of the beta release I've run on my Lenovo Idea-Pad 3 testing rig the past few weeks, what I found was the beta and the full release are virtually identical in every way in daily desktop use.
Debian 13 based LMDE 7 provides the look, the unmatched utility and the Minty feel that has made Ubuntu based Mint 22.2 the run away most popular Ubuntu based distro available anywhere, but without the issues and concerns that using today's LTS Ubuntu as a distro's base brings with it.
Pure Debian 13 is available with Mate', my long time favorite desktop environment beginning back in Gnome 2.x days. To this point LMDE comes only with the Cinnamon desktop, which for most people is more than adequate. However for the many who prefer Mate', installing it and removing Cinnamon (I use Synaptic for this task, you may prefer a CLI or a different approach) is easy to do. What I end up with is a fully functional, incredibly efficient LMDE 7 with the Mate' desktop, which I set up to match my preferred Mint 22.2 Mate' work machines, making it a seamless transition to move from one machine to another for different projects.
Bottom line, at least for me, is LMDE 7 is yet another welcomed improvement over LMDE 5 and 6, who were in their own rights improvements over their Debian based predecessors all the way back to LMDE 1.
If you're partial to Debian, yet you like the look, the unmatched desktop utility and the overall feel that Ubuntu based Mint has long since perfected, then truth be told LMDE 7 has all those bases covered for you right out of the box, ..and then some!
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 2
Date: 2025-10-06
Votes: 0
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I am sorry to say, but as a Linux beginner using older hardware Linux mint 22.2 XFCE does NOT work well for me on OLDER HARDWARE.
I have used Linux mint 22.0 for some time and everything has worked well.
Then got a new SSD and did a fresh install with Linux mint 22.2.
I got a lot of problems!
Using Linux Mint 22.2 NIC network circuit did not work properly and Nvidia driver did not work and steam games would not start.
My hardware is a old Dell Optiplex 3020. (Intel Core i5 i5-4570 with 4 GB DDR3-SDRAM 1600 MHz). The graphic cards I have used are GTX 750 Ti and GTX 1650.
I first used GTX 750 Ti with Linux mint 22.2 and when that did not work I upgraded to a GTX 1650 and it still did not work.
Linux mint 22.0 (Wilma) uses kernel 6.8
Linux mint 22.2 (Zara) uses kernel 6.14
I don’t know if this is the reason for the problems.
I know my hardware is old , but as a Linux beginner what I expect from Linux mint is to work for older hardware and to be beginner friendly. I just do office work and play some light strategy games on steam.
Honestly, I can’t get Linux mint 22.2 to work on my old hardware. I don’t have the skills to fix it.
So, my cousin said I could try Nobara, so I did. It’s a little heavier to run compared to Linux mint 22.2 , but everything worked right from start and I did not have to change a thing to get steam running with regular proton experimental.
I am sorry for this bad review. I have not given up hope on Linux mint XFCE fully, but for now it’s a no go for me. I hope the future versions of Linux mint will be better for older hardware.
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Version: 7-beta-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-06
Votes: 17
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I have been using linux since the days of Mandrake.
I have used Mageia/Mandriva/Mageia, Ubuntu and its derivatives, openSUSE and Manjaro for a long time, and I have also done a lot of distro hopping.. For my daily use, for internet, mailing, social networks etc.. I have been on LMDE 6 for 1 year. Since the release of LMDE 7 beta I have it in dual boot and I use it as the main distro: I have not found any flaws in it and I am sure that this new version will satisfy a lot of users. Simplicity of installation, speed, lightness, reactivity and a good recognition of the peripherals. For beginner users it is a must to try, for advanced users the stability and reliability of debian. I have never noticed the same stability with arch distributions and ubuntu derivatives. I have to wink at Mageia for its stability, but LMDE is better for the choice of a clear policy, a single well-designed desktop, cinnamon, the choice of having a Debian base without going through ubuntu.
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Version: 6-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-04
Votes: 15
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Excellent OS. I have migrated from windows and this is by far the most compatible and reliable OS to be introduced to Linux with . It's sturdy, simple yet feature rich. Definetley I would recommend this distro for people that are just starting to step outside of the "windows" world. I guess that for people that love to have a functional, fast and reliable system without to have to tangle too depley in the Terminal world, this is a great bet. Still, If you really want to explore your system via the terminal and learn the "Linux way" you can still do with it. I love it so far. One mistake that people should avoid is to take for granted the hardware you have available. Linux Mint its great on both modern and older hardware, but dont expect that a 20 year old hardware with HDD, small RAM and antique processor will run like hardware just bought this year. Still thought, Linux Mint will be able to make it a slow but functional system, compared to Windows 11 that simply wont let you have a tolerable experience.
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Version: 7-beta-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-03
Votes: 5
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The development of the Linux community and other alternatives to Windows has shown that great computing achievements can be achieved.
In general, at least the ones I've tried (Linux Mint leading the way, but also Kubuntu, KDE Neon, Manjaro, Ubuntu, Devian, etc.) are spectacular, and far surpass Windows in simplicity, energy efficiency, and hardware resources.
The only thing missing in this alternative world to Windows is more advanced development of the system, enabling compatibility between programs prepared for Windows so they can run correctly, without errors, on Linux. And I believe that Wine is the only solution today. And for this reason, I also believe that when almost all programs designed for Windows can run on these alternative systems without problems, then the transition from Windows to Linux will reach levels unimaginable today.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-03
Votes: 9
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Linux Mint is a user-friendly, stable, and efficient Linux distribution known for its ease of use, particularly for users transitioning from Windows, offering a familiar desktop experience with its Cinnamon desktop environment. It is praised for its performance, speed, low resource consumption, and excellent stability, making it a solid choice for both personal and professional use. While it excels at basic tasks, some users note challenges with compatibility for certain specialized software, though it supports a wide range of Linux-native applications and offers good gaming support through tools like Wine and PlayOnLinux.
Also WinBoat integration is damn good
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 7
Date: 2025-10-02
Votes: 0
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Linux Mint is a great looking, fast, stable and easy-to-use distro. I’ve been using it for a couple years and I haven’t had problems using it. It has everything you need for day-to-day use of web browsing, watching videos and listening to music using the VLC Media Playe, doing office work using LibreOffice, etc. It stays out of my way while I need to get work done and when I also want to use it for entertainment purposes, so that’s a plus too. There are a lot of different themes, wallpapers, etc. that you can easily get right from where you choose your personalization options, I haven’t seen any other distro have that! You can also find even more personalization options looking at different sites like Cinnamon look, Mate look, XFCE look, etc. There’s also a site one called Cinnamon Spices which I recommend too. The developer listens and does an awesome job with keeping the community up to date on things about the distro. The community is friendly and helpful too.
I recommend Linux Mint.
There is only 1 problem, and that’s the use of minimalism and flat design in this- it looks horrible and is annoying that the developer doubles down on keeping the distro look like a 3 year old child drew icons and themes- I’d rather have even more customization options because I don’t like the new dialog boxes and everything else that has turned to flat design and minimalistic lately. This is why I give Linux Mint a 7 out of 10.
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Version: 22.2
Rating: 7
Date: 2025-10-01
Votes: 0
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I have been using Linux Mint for 15 years. This is a distribution that fully satisfies my needs. Inexplicably, in Cinnamon and Mate the setting of the buttons for switching the keyboard layout is somewhere deeply hidden and I have to change the keyboard by pointing the mouse, which is inconvenient and unfamiliar to me. There is some bug that the developers do not notice. Or they know about it, but cannot deal with it. I cannot report the error because the communication system is so bureaucratically organized that it interferes with the dialogue. Only Linux Mint XFCE works properly, which is a bit strange. I do not speak English - I use machine translation. If it is not correct, I apologize.
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Version: 21.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-09-30
Votes: 15
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I have used Linux mint on four different machines. A thinkpad T410i, an old 2009 macbook, a 2012, macbook pro, 2007 imac and 2019 imac. In all cases, the linux mint install was smooth and polished. As a general web-machine, for emails, web shopping, etc, it JUST WORKS. I selected Cinnamon and XFCE depending on the amount of ram on my machine. Anything with 2GB ram or less gets XFCE. I strongly recommend LINUX MINT. I have also made it where it only checks for updates every 1 month because I just want my system to work. I did use thunderbird and brave instead of firefox.
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Latest Reviews
Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-04-12
Votes: 38
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Mint 22.3 Cinnamon is one of those rare Linux experiences where you keep thinking, wow, so it is still possible. Everything just works in a clean, stable, and pleasantly drama free way. After more than 20 years on Debian, I honestly never thought I would switch, but KDE eventually lost me with how broken and exhausting it became. Too many rough edges, too much friction, too little trust.
Mint feels wonderfully grounded in comparison. Cinnamon does exactly what a desktop is supposed to do. Clean 4K scaling, consistent behavior, solid performance, no strange daily hiccups. It looks neat, stays out of the way, and simply works. I do not have to babysit my desktop every other day. I can just use it.
And yes, even my modern nerdy setup with local AI, Docker, WebUI, GPU workloads, and all the related technical toys runs surprisingly smoothly on it. That is exactly what I like about Mint: it is not trying to be trendy at any cost, it is trying to be practical. It does not want to impress me, it wants to be reliable. That is almost a luxury now.
For me, Mint 22.3 Cinnamon is one of the few systems right now that feels pleasant, stable, and technically mature at the same time. Not a showpiece, not an experiment box, just a genuinely good Linux desktop.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-04-11
Votes: 13
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Linux is most useful in reviving older computers. Mint v22.3 was installed on a Fujitsu model Q616 Windows tablet (2 in 1, 4G RAM, 128 SSD).
A keyboard F2 option to edit Bios and boot from a Live-USB was used.
The Touch screen, WiFi, Webcam, BT and sound all worked, out-of-the-box.
The installation features to Dual-Boot with another OS without resorting to gParted and the option to Encrypt the Home folder made the process easy. Not having used Windows for many years, I did not find enough apps to make it worthwhile keeping and found all I needed in the Linux repository: LibreOffice, PDF arranger, Veracrypt, Audacity etc. The system ran fast with the XFCE desktop. An older iPhone mounted without having to code a mount point.
Mint has run well on other old computers, Acer-E3 (2G RAM), HP-Pavillion and Lenovo. I havn’t yet run it on a 2014 MacBook Air, as the Live-USB did not sense the Wi-Fi of SSD out-of-the-box but would probably work with added drivers.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-04-03
Votes: 12
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🏗️ The Setup
My laptop is a classic workhorse: an **Intel i7-3520M** with **16GB of RAM** and dual graphics (NVIDIA/Intel). While this hardware is several years old, Linux Mint 22.3 makes it feel like a brand-new machine. It’s snappy, efficient, and everything worked right out of the box.
🚀 What’s New and Why It Matters
1. Better Troubleshooting (System Information)
The old "System Reports" tool has been completely overhauled and renamed to System Information.
The "USB" and "GPU" pages are lifesavers. If you’ve ever struggled to figure out why a webcam isn't working or if your graphics card is actually doing its job, these new pages show you exactly what’s happening in plain English. No more digging through confusing terminal commands.
2. A Cleaner, Faster Menu
The Cinnamon 6.6 desktop introduces a redesigned application menu.
It now features a handy sidebar for your favorite apps and folders (like Documents or Downloads).
It’s much more organized, letting you get to your work faster without scrolling through a massive list of software.
3. Smarter File Management (Nemo)
The file manager, Nemo, got some "quality of life" upgrades that you’ll notice immediately:
Pause and Resume: You can now pause large file copies. If you’re moving a big folder and need to unplug your drive for a second, you can just hit pause and finish later.
Template Manager: It’s now easier to create "templates" for new files (like a standard text note or a spreadsheet) so you can start a new project with a simple right-click.
4. Better Notifications
We’ve all missed a pop-up message while away from the desk. Now, if you miss a notification, a small badge (a little number or dot) appears on the app icon in your taskbar. It’s a small change that makes a huge difference in staying organized.
🛠️ Performance on Older Hardware
Despite being a "modern" OS with the new Linux Kernel 6.14, Mint 22.3 is very light on resources.
Memory Usage: On my 16GB system, it idles at a very low percentage, leaving plenty of room for heavy tasks like web browsing with 20+ tabs or coding.
Battery & Heat: The "Zena" update includes better power management. My ThinkPad stays cool, and the fans don't ramp up unnecessarily.
🏁 The Verdict
Linux Mint 22.3 "Zena" is the perfect balance of "it just works" and "I can customize everything." It doesn't force unnecessary changes on the user, yet it feels modern and polished.
If you have an older laptop sitting in a drawer or you’re tired of the complexity of other operating systems, "Zena" is a fantastic reason to switch. It’s supported until **2029**, so you can set it up once and enjoy a stable experience for years to come.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-04-01
Votes: 12
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Linux Mint 22 is the perfect blend of simplicity, stability, and power — never leaving you stranded, even if you’re just starting out.
You can use it as your main system, for desktop work, media, or even to learn Linux gently.
✅ Stability and Simplicity
Mint 22 is extremely stable, perfect for beginners or anyone who wants a reliable system without complications. No need to touch the terminal for most tasks.
✅ Intuitive Interface (Cinnamon)
The Cinnamon desktop is elegant, customizable, and feels very close to Windows/macOS — ideal for a smooth transition to Linux.
✅ Secure and Regular Updates
Based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Mint receives security patches quickly, with a slight delay to ensure stability — a great balance between security and reliability.
✅ Pre-installed and Useful Software
Everything you need is already there: browser, office suite (LibreOffice), media player, management tools… no need to install everything from scratch.
✅ Excellent Hardware Support
Drivers, Wi-Fi, printers, external displays — everything usually works out of the box, even on newer hardware.
✅ Active Community & Clear Documentation
Lots of tutorials, forums, and guides in French. The Mint team is responsive and focused on user experience.
✅ Wayland Available (for the curious)
You can try Wayland if you wish — but X11 remains the default for maximum compatibility.
But here are some limitations of Linux Mint 22 (it depends on your need) :
⚠️ Slightly outdated kernel and software
Mint follows Ubuntu LTS, so kernel updates (e.g., 6.17) and app versions arrive a few weeks to months after Ubuntu — which may frustrate users who want the latest features or performance improvements.
⚠️ Wayland not enabled by default
Although Wayland is available, X11 remains the default session. This means users miss out on Wayland’s benefits (security, performance, HiDPI) unless they manually switch — which many beginners won’t know how to do.
⚠️ Cinnamon desktop can feel “heavy”
While highly customizable, Cinnamon may seem less lightweight than XFCE or LXQt — not ideal for older PCs or users seeking a minimal, fast experience.
⚠️ Fewer cutting-edge updates than rolling-release distros
If you crave the latest GNOME, KDE, or software versions, Mint (based on LTS) may feel too conservative — especially compared to Fedora, Arch, or openSUSE Tumbleweed.
⚠️ No advanced dev tools pre-installed nor for gaming
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-11
Votes: 32
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My first mint experience was on 17.1, and since then I never looked back. Although I cannot make the full switch, I do use linux on all my personal devices. Mint nailed it for me as a user that needed to relearn a new os, that is is the closest resemblance to (back then) windows 10, it was easy to learn how it works. The timeshift was also a nice to have, where I can restore back to a solid known state.
I'd easily recommend to start off with mint, just to dip your feet into the linux experience. Then try not to be afraid of trying new things out.
I always come back to LMDE because it is debian with the true cinnamon experience, you can do some crazy stuff with it too. The cinnamon DE is great that it is not as restrictive to customising to you need, but not as overwhelming with settings as in the case of KDE or window managers. Hardware challenges you might find on LMDE, you will propably be better off with default linux mint or fedora if you need to use a os that supports newer hardware.
Although not recommended, but I do it anyways, I installed proxmox on top of my lmde instance because I am a mad lad, it opens up new possibilities how I can remote into the VMs because you know, life sometimes is unfair. I managed to build a system that suits my needs and keeps corporate telemetry at bay. It is not a perfect solution, but certainly is a fun one.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-11
Votes: 70
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Linux Mint is the reason I fell in love with the Linux world. And it all started 14 years ago. I’ve tried many distributions, all the most popular ones. I tried Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, Arch (even before the archinstall script). I used Arch for a long time, and I still run it today in dual boot with Mint, but Mint is something special. Definitely the best out-of-the-box experience. Outstanding work by the developers. My only small complaint is Wayland, but that will soon be sorted out as well. Every version of Mint brings something special—not big changes, but improvements that really enhance the quality of life. Kudos to the developers, just keep up the great work!!!
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-07
Votes: 29
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Rock solid distribution. I prefer the LMDE version but the Ubuntu version is superb too. I like other distributions like Zorin and Pop!_OS COSMIC and occasionally distro-hop but always return to LMDE. It is reliable and the desktop has all the things you would want/need. The Cinnamon desktop is the best compromise between Plasma and GNOME. In fact it is better. It has tiling available via GTile. The weather applet is native. You can add Google Drive or OneDrive accounts to your Files, Calendar, or email via the Online Accounts feature which is part of the GNOME GTK stack. LMDE makes is better/special because the foundation is Debian 13 Trixie with nothing to remove from Ubuntu. The desktop itself updates when Mint makes updates to Cinnamon since they make Cinnamon. And unlike Mint’s Ubuntu version, there are no point releases that you need to go through an installation/update process. Any updates get processed through the package manager updates/upgrades as regular maintenance. Yeah for some people perhaps the Ubuntu version is a better fit because of the Ubuntu having more recent drivers for newer hardware. But that gap has improved in the past few years since Debian 12 adding non-free software to the Debian repositories. Again some hardware will probably only work with Mint’s Ubuntu version but the recent changes with Debian have really changed that. Also, if you need specific PPAs (Personal Package Archives) then Mint using Ubuntu is the way to go to go but Flatpaks have also diminished the need for PPAs in recent years. And Flatpaks are standard and already installed in both the Ubuntu and Debian version of Mint. Either way, Mint’s Cinnamon desktop using Debian as a base has been what makes me like Linux. Some Linux users have been mislead the Debian is really old. Well that can be somewhat true if what you want has just been updated yesterday and you want that version of some sort of software. First that is rare, and if so, sometimes you can mitigate that with Flatpaks. Regardless, Debian updates about every 24-30 months and sometimes less than 24 months. LMDE is a good distribution - Mint overall, be it Debian or Ubuntu base, is my best choice for Linux for reliability and real-world use.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-06
Votes: 13
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LMDE7 is a distribution the way I prefer. Not too much bells&whistles but surely enough for productive work. The default cinnamon desktop for LMDE7 offers the right amount of GUI stuff. And thanks to flatpak any further software required can be optained quite fast.
Thanks to its rock-solid base Debian there are little to no chances ending up in an instable system up-on running a system upgrade. Security patches are offered frequently.
In the past I was using other distributions (e.g. SuSe/OpenSuse, Ubuntu, ...). Often enough it had been a compromise; now using LMDE/Cinnamon I'm satisfied in a degree I never had been before.
E.g. the applets & desklets offered by cinnamon are of great value. "Quick launcher" is one of the center pieces among these apps.
Most of the facts mentioned here are valid for Linux Mint in general, but thanks to the Debian approach this distribution is much closer to the FOSS approch as I interpret it.
Recently I could convince a friend of mine switching from Windows 10 to LMDE7 on his office PC. He is running a small family based company (3 people in total). I recommeded to give a try to LMDE since updating to Windows 11 was being refused last year. The computer he is using up-to-now is equipped with an Intel i7-7x00, 16 GB of RAM and a SSD (512GB as far as I can remember). So the CPU generation was the hurdle.
Finally getting used to use LMDE7 and LibreOffice (now 26.2) was not really a big deal for him. Oh, by the way: „Quick launcher“ has become the center of his desktop: Launching both invoice or offer forms, launching a viewer for e-invoices, eMail, internet browser, file browser – all done using shortcuts from within „Quick launcher“ ! He rarely needs to maneuver to the lower left to open up the apps menu ...
Actually I did install RustDesk on his new installation and I offered him to give a call in case of issues supporting him remotely using RustDesk. No need for support yet … ;-)
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-05
Votes: 12
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Years of using and enjoying Linux Mint as my daily driver OS has taught me a great deal about what people actually want and need in their computer’s operating system, plainly showing why Windows and MacOS have lost so much of the appeal they once had.
A vast portion of perfectly capable Windows 10 computers have been arbitrarily excluded from updating to Windows 11 by Microsoft. Short of purchasing expensive new machines with Windows 11 requirements built in, huge numbers of users have to surrender any hope they may have had of a ‘better way of doing things computing wise’ to the whims and desires of their Microsoft overlords --which is why so many are seeking ways to escape the quick sand trap they’ve found themselves stuck in with Windows 11.
A couple of decades ago I recognized early Microsoft ‘danger signals’ for what they were, and along with others began to experiment with early versions of desktop Linux, landing on Ubuntu, and following that with Linux Mint. Been with Ubuntu based Mint ever since, finding it offers by far the best out-of-the-box install it and go right to work personal computing experience available anywhere!
As a naturally curious Linux user I’ve experimented over the years with a lot of different distros, measuring each against what I’ve come to love about Linux Mint. Today there are a number of desktop competitors to Mint, most based on Debian or Ubuntu, but few anywhere near as polished and ‘ready to work’ right out of the box as Mint is. In my view the only real option to Ubuntu based Linux Mint is Linux Mint Debian Edition 7, ‘LMDE’ for short.
After closely following LMDE’s development these past 15 years, I now run LMDE 7 on about half of my PCs, having found everything I love about Ubuntu based Linux Mint available with LMDE from the very start, without any of the issues that Ubuntu based distros, including Mint, have to put up with or provide work-arounds for.
For anyone who’s interested, I’d encourage giving LMDE 7 a try. It’s simpler and less affected than Ubuntu based Linux Mint, and whether you keep LMDE 7 stock ‘right out-of-the-box’ or customize it to your liking, you’ll enjoy its light weight rock solid Debian base together with the trademark ‘Minty Goodness’ that Clem and his Linux Mint team bake into each of their distros -- whether Ubuntu or Debian based!
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-05
Votes: 17
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Linux Mint is an absolute gem for anyone looking to escape the complexity of other operating systems. Whether you're a seasoned Linux enthusiast or a complete newcomer, Mint welcomes you with open arms and delivers an experience that's both powerful and refreshingly straightforward.
Ease of Use Right out of the box, Linux Mint feels intuitive and familiar. The Cinnamon desktop environment is beautifully designed, with a clean layout that won't intimidate newcomers. Everything just works—installation is smooth, and you'll be productive within minutes rather than hours of configuration.
Stability and Performance Built on Ubuntu's solid foundation, Mint offers exceptional stability without sacrificing performance. Your system runs smoothly even on older hardware, making it perfect for breathing new life into aging computers. I've experienced virtually zero crashes or slowdowns.
Software Library The Software Manager provides access to thousands of applications, and most popular programs have Linux Mint versions. Whether you need productivity tools, creative software, or games, you'll find what you're looking for with just a few clicks.
Community and Support The Linux Mint community is wonderfully supportive and active. Documentation is comprehensive, forums are helpful, and the developers genuinely listen to user feedback. You never feel alone when troubleshooting issues.
Customization While Mint is user-friendly out of the box, it's also incredibly customizable for those who want to tinker. Themes, layouts, and settings can be adjusted to match your preferences perfectly.
The Verdict Linux Mint strikes that rare balance between simplicity and capability. It respects your time, your hardware, and your intelligence. Whether you're switching from Windows, Mac, or another Linux distro, you'll find Mint to be a refreshing, reliable, and genuinely enjoyable operating system.
Highly recommended for everyone!
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-02-27
Votes: 12
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I'm a Linux newbie. I didn't like Windows because it required antivirus software (that made it slow), and even with antivirus software, it still wasn't very secure.
Linux Mint is the easiest Linux I've found, and it just works. You probably should update it every week or two, as it doesn't tell you that it needs it. Backups are a bit crazy with Timeshift, as it doesn't use compression and suck up a lot of drive space when it makes new backups.
To be safe, I keep my data on another drive.
Linux Mint has many apps that let you avoid the command line.
Need I say more??? I really like Linux Mint. Thanks, Greg Mann
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-02-25
Votes: 14
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I'm Lovin' It!
Older gamer here who loves tech, but frustrated with MS and other companies integrating AI and other invasive policies. I just want an OS that doesn't make me create an account (hello MS and Apple) to use my own computer. I've tried to move away from Windows, but a move to Apple was frustrating due to the lack of gaming support on Macs.
I had tinkered with Linux a decade ago or so and wasn't impressed with all of the workarounds that I need to deal with. Now, however, it's a new day. I downloaded Linux Mint and created a dual boot to Windows and Mint. I found Mint with the Cinnamon desktop to be a fresh look, yet somehow familiar. It was easy to learn where all the settings were to tweak what desktop changes I wanted to make and personalize my OS. Everything just worked from the start, except for a bit of struggle to get a printer working. Steam games that I purchased long ago run great. I haven't found any yet that I've had issues with. I run a few games that require Wine, those all run perfectly fine after a small bit of tinkering.
After all this, I haven't even booted into my Windows partition in about two weeks now! And I don't miss it. Everything that I need from Office apps, email (I use Proton products and they all run perfectly under Linux Mint), games and other utilities work great and don't require a lot of tweaking.
I'm extremely happy with my choice to try out Linux Mint. I expect that I will be a Linux enthusiast for many years now.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-24
Votes: 21
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I'm not an OS guy, I just needed to get something up and running without too much of a hassle so I can get on with my life, and Mint has provided just that.
Windows 95 was my first operating system, I knew nothing but Windows my entire life.
I switched over to Mint, my first distro, over a year ago and I never looked back. The Cinnamon desktop environment feels like Windows.
Everything just works out of the box, tons of open-source alternatives to the adobe suite, steam works great.
Well on my way to using this for the next few decades or so.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-21
Votes: 22
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the "Zen" state of Linux desktop usage: the transition from being a distro-hopper to being a user.
The highest compliment you can pay to an operating system is that you "don't notice it." In the days of the C64 or even MS-DOS, the computer didn't ask for a reboot to install updates, it didn't change the UI layout overnight, and it didn't try to sell you a cloud subscription.
LMDE 7 ) captures that "appliance" feeling because it is built on the Debian Stable back-end. While your previous forays into Arch-based distros like CachyOS or Endeavour gave you the "high" of the latest kernel and x86-64-v3 optimizations, they also brought the "anxiety" of the rolling release—the feeling that a sudo pacman -Syu might require manual intervention.
LMDE 7 is different. It is a "set it and forget it" system. It respects your time by staying out of your way.
The CachyOS vs. LMDE Trade-off (Virtualization)
Win 10 virtualization is snappier on CachyOS. That makes sense—CachyOS uses a heavily tuned kernel (often with the BORE scheduler or specific optimizations for low latency). But for MS Excel, that trade-off is worth it. You lose a millisecond of UI responsiveness in the VM, but you gain the certainty that the VM will launch exactly the same way every morning for the next five years.
The Philosophy of "Just Work"
The team at Linux Mint understands something that Ubuntu and even Microsoft seem to have forgotten.
When you turn on your LMDE machine, you aren't "using Linux"—you are just doing your work. That is the ultimate goal of computing.
My hope for the LMDE team:
If the developers stay this path, LMDE will remain the "gold standard" for professionals who need:
Visual Silence: No pop-ups, no telemetry, no "New Features" tours.
Final Thought for your review: "In a world of 'software as a service' and 'rolling releases,' LMDE 7 is a refreshing return to 'software as a tool.' It’s the closest thing to the reliable simplicity of the 80s, but with the power of 2024."
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-20
Votes: 1
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Instalé Linux Mint Xfce en mi desktop de 2011 con AMD Athlon II X2 + 8GB DDR3 + SSD Sata 120GB + HDD 1TB + HDD 160GB + GPU Radeon 3000.
Pros: Es mi sistema operativo principal. Excelente rendimiento, arranque y fluidez. Puedo hacer todo lo que hacía en Windows. Mi labor principal es ofimática avanzada y multimedia. Reconoció todos los componentes de la PC (wifi, sonido, gráficos, impresora) en el live usb. Sus sistema de gestión de software y el de actualizaciones son excelentes.
Contras: Los mensajes y descripciones en la GUI suelen ser crípticos para el usuario común.
No obstante, recomiendo esta distro a usuarios de Windows.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-20
Votes: 9
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Mint has been my default, general purpose desktop distribution since about 2009. This was my replacement for Mandrake (Mageia's grandfather) when they died out. Mint offers a rich but not flashy Linux desktop that does just about anything general purpose, that generally installs successfully with most packages working out of the box. You want a desktop, you don't need anything nichey, you don't want to spend a week tuning always a good choice.
I did an interesting experiment regarding desktop Linux. Most of my employees have HS or less education. No experience in an office environment. They don't game, they don't spend much time on social media Which means well below average computer literacy / experience. For the workers that ever needed to do anything on a computer I deployed laptops with Mint. Basically didn't want the hassle of administering Windows remotely and liked the idea of $0 license costs. So I was going to give Mint a try and if that didn't work go hand a stack of money to Microsoft.
Employees had 0 problems. Most had used Windows computers, they didn't notice the difference or found Mint easier. I deployed in Spanish, and the employees liked the fact that they make computers in Spanish; they had only seen English language menus and icon labels before and thought that was a nice upgrade (seriously Microsoft, you need to offer better language selection when it is OEM deployed). It has been a delight administering Linux. I got them trained on Thunderbird on their phones and they knew what Firefox was already. They found printer setup easier, though some found the printer menus being in Spanish jarring if they already knew English menus for printers.
Decades ago we used to talk about desktop Linux as a goal. I still often have to do things on my more niche distributions that it would be ridiculous to ask a non-developer to do. There are still some really hard distributions for special purpose. But wow, does Mint "just work" for general-purpose computing at this point. This was a fire test and Mint passed with flying colors.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-02-20
Votes: 10
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For years, now, I’ve been using various desktop Linux distributions (e.g., MX Linux, Debian, Pop!_OS, Zorin, Endeavour, Manjaro, Fedora, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Peppermint, Lubuntu, others) on my old computers (a really old Dell PC, an Acer PC from around 2010, a 2012 MacBook Air, a 2015 Windows 8 laptop with a touchscreen), and Linux Mint has been my favorite. Mint has proven to be remarkably reliable for me.
I mainly use Mint for browsing with Google Chrome or Firefox, and for programming using Python, PostgreSQL, GitHub Desktop (The Linux Fork) and VS Code or Sublime Text. My preferred version of Mint is the Debian edition (LMDE).
I always make certain changes after installing Mint, though, because I prefer a certain look and feel. For example, I prefer the dark theme, the Papirus icons, the DMZ-black mouse pointer, the 12h clock, the panel set to height 48 and a few other changes to the menu and the login screen.
The only situation where I don't use Mint on an old computer is when I don't need a desktop. In a situation like that, where I only need a server, for example, I use Debian.
Anyway, if your desktop computing needs are similar to mine, I highly recommend Linux Mint.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-14
Votes: 16
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Mint fixes many of the technical issues and usability discomfort I have found in core Debian. I don't hate Debian, I recognise its contribution but I have had a range of technical issues installing applications that are not from its APT repository. I've also had problems at times retrieving updates and upgrades from mirrors with Debian that happen decidedly less frequently with Mint.
In terms of usability Mints software repository is more streamlined, easier to search and simply nicer to use. The same can be said of its implementation of its own Cinnamon desktop environment and the carefully chosen selection of applications and utilities that are present out of the box.
In summary everything about Mint feels considered and measured in a way that engenders a comfortable experience for the end user be they new or experienced. Its like that old set of comfy slippers you keep coming back to. 10/10.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-13
Votes: 31
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For those asking themselves why so many are ditching Windows 11 and moving to Linux Mint, give a listen to someone who's done just that.
Users are migrating from Windows 11 to Linux Mint in droves for a variety of reasons, to escape Microsoft's aggressive monetization practices, to regain hardware freedom, and to find a more stable yet entirely familiar desktop experience.
Linux Mint has become a primary "refugee camp" for disillusioned Windows 11 users. Its Cinnamon, MATE and Xfce desktops mimic the classic Windows layout we've loved over the years, making the transition nearly seamless for everyday users.
This shift in focus has to do with 'Hardware Freedom' and the 'Artificial Obsolescence' that Microsoft has built into Windows 11, and intends to double down on in the years ahead. Windows 11's strict hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0 and modern CPU checks, have made millions of perfectly functional late model PCs unusable in Microsoft's eyes.
Linux Mint runs flawlessly on otherwise perfectly capable older hardware that Windows 11 rejects, providing faster boot times and less RAM usage than Windows 11 did. With support for Windows 10 having come to an end in October of last year, users with perfectly good PCs that Microsoft has arbitrarily labeled "unsupported" are moving to Mint in large numbers rather than purchasing expensive new computers.
Windows 11 installs with extensive built in telemetry and tracking that users never asked for and don't want. Linux Mint on the other hand collects no such data and respects user's privacy by default. Mint provides its users complete control over every aspect of their PC and its operating system, including when and how to update, eliminating forced Windows reboots during work.
Windows users, who've met Microsoft's hardware requirements for running Windows 11 and paid the considerable costs involved, are frustrated by advertisements and 'recommended apps' pop-ups on their desktops -- so much so that the fallout Windows 11 has started shows no sign of abating any time soon.
Users typically report far better stability with Linux Mint, which installs with a clean set of essential tools and none of the crap that comes with Windows 11's pre-installed trials or time wasting kiddy games. Lots of new Mint users say they're actively avoiding Windows 11's aggressive integration of 'Copilot' and other AI driven features that cannot be easily removed, if at all, by moving to Linux Mint.
Linux Mint's 'Software Manager' provides one-click installation of thousands of free, open-source apps, many of which are safer, less troublesome and more efficient than anything the Microsoft Store wants you to buy. Mint includes 'Timeshift', a powerful tool that takes system snapshots and can instantly return your system to a previous working state if an update or setting causes a difficult issue. As a long time Linux Mint user, there's nothing I do work-wise or otherwise that I can't do better, faster, more securely and a lot more trouble free in Linux Mint than I'd ever be able to in Windows 10 or 11.
For those frustrated with the direction Windows 11 has gone, who have perfectly capable PCs that Microsoft says they must replace in order to go further with Windows, I'd challenge them to download the latest Linux Mint 22.3 .ISO file, 'burn it' to a thumb drive (Linux Mint's web site will walk you through this rather simple process), then boot your PC to the 'live' version of Linux Mint on your thumb drive and explore this modern desktop OS to your heart's content before installing it.
Once you've actually installed Mint on your PC you'll be starting on an operating system adventure that you simply could not imagine short of actually 'making the move from Windows to Mint!', an adventure you'll quickly see in an entirely new light as Mint introduces you to far and away the best desktop experience today's modern open-source Linux world has to offer!
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-02-13
Votes: 15
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It may be heralded as a "beginner" distro, but I for one don't want to get into the trouble of debugging my audio, graphics, internet and anything else after 10 years of using Linux as well. I want it to work out of the box, and that's exactly what Mint provides. In the rare cases I do have trouble with software versions and stuff like that I can find answers online thanks to its (and its Ubuntu base's) popularity.
The rate of version releases is ideal, I'm okay with having a fresh start every 2 years
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 21.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-02-01
Votes: 19
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Truly amazing for a first-time dive into the Linux world of technological independence. Two years ago I moved from Windows 10 to Mint 21.3, and its been a fun and educational ride. The Driver manager as well as the Update Manager make for a comfortable and beginner-friendly experience to maintain and use your machine. With good good Timeshift backup habits (before every major update wave), you can easily revert back in case of any problems that might arise. Thats not to say its probable, its not. Over these two years the vast majority of it was stable and perfect for daily driving. Yes Ive had to learn the linux-way of doing things, finding alternative software that used to be Windows-only (RIP MusicBee), but after settling in, I dont want to go back to Microslop ever again. Im running 21.3, my old thinkpad as well. Ive helped transform another friend to the linux world, theyre running 22.3, butter smooth.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-31
Votes: 29
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I installed Linux Mint as a replacement for Windows 11 and was surprised how quickly the installation went. My hardware is far from high-end; it's a Dell Latitude 6510 with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Linux Mint takes up very little space on the SSD, boots up very quickly, and has been running stably for several weeks now. Updates are readily available and installed quickly. The information provided during application installation is comprehensive. So far, I've found suitable software for every need. These also run very stably. The network functions are flawless, and remote desktop is significantly better implemented than in Windows thanks to RustDesk. The sheer number of applications is exhaustive; there are free alternatives for every purpose. Of course, it takes some time to learn the system.
For me, switching away from Windows has been a complete success!
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-30
Votes: 6
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Moving from Windows 10 to Mint was a welcomed transition. I tried updating to Windows 11, but the hoops I was being forced to jump through and the 'back alley' routes I was asked to travel led to aggravation after aggravation, until at last I threw my hands up in disgust and walked away from Windows for good.
Truth is it wasn't so much 'me leaving Windows behind', as it was 'Windows pushing me away, a user since Windows first saw the light of day, as someone they no longer cared for, someone they could get along just fine without'.. Well, multiply me by about a billion, and that'll give you an idea of the size of the 'me crowd' that today's unrecognizable 'Windows' is pushing away.
The 'holier than thou' attitude Windows has gravitated to since Gates walked away from actively running the show, is slowly but certainly strangling the life out of what millions once saw in earlier versions of Windows as the 'people's choice' OS. Little wonder that the real excitement in daily driver OS circles these days is no longer centered in Windows 11 and beyond, but in top tier Linux distributions such as Ubuntu based Linux Mint.
I spent a lot of months sorting through the top desktop distros available today, and for my personal 'daily driver' needs I've settled on Debian and Ubuntu based distros exclusively. My top choice in a Debian based distro is a toss up between LMDE and MX Linux. While my top choice in a Ubuntu based distro was Linux Mint -- which I now run on all my machines, both for my work and for my personal use.
What I find so refreshing and captivating about Linux Mint 22.3 is that the 'personalized mojo' that Windows once exuded and people everywhere found inviting now rests in projects like Clem's Linux Mint -- an exciting, easy to install and simple to use distribution that's both fully capable and personally engaging at the same time. Mint is a daily driver OS that accommodates whatever an individual user desires of it, from the simplest of daily computing tasks to the most complex, without hammering anyone with non-stop 'BS adware' or forcing unwanted and unneeded AI apps on users.
Mint does everything anyone needs it to do, all the while staying behind the scenes and out of the way. Top all that off with the fact that all of the perfectly capable hardware that Windows 11 says we can't use anymore runs 'better than ever' with free of out of pocket cost Linux Mint 22.3 in place -- and for a billion or so of us making the move away from the 'hot mess' that Windows has become to the simple joy of running an OS that 'works with us instead of against us', everything that Mint brings to the table makes the transition from Windows to Mint literally a 'no brainer!', something that's been a long time coming but who's time is finally here, to which I and millions of former Windows users will happily testify!
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-30
Votes: 7
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I can describe it in just one word: PERFECT!
First, it doesn’t have weird or unstable updates.
Second, it offers a simple and polished desktop environment (Cinnamon).
Third, it has great compatibility with my MacBook Air 2013.
I installed Linux Mint on this MacBook with only 4 GB of RAM, and even though it uses around 600–800 MB of memory, I am very satisfied with its performance.
In comparison, when I installed MX Linux with XFCE, it did not include a Night Light feature by default, so I had to install Redshift. After installing Redshift, memory usage increased by about 500–700 MB
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-30
Votes: 16
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Moved from Windows to Linux. This distro is amazing, it just works. And it's user friendly, you have GUIs to everything, no need to be on the command line every time you want to set something up.
And the updates between versions are effortless, just press next and you are done.
I've tried Linux in the past, mostly Ubuntu, and it never felt this polished and ready to use as Mint does, even tough Mint is based on Ubuntu.
My only regret is I didn't switch earlier. I now have my desktop and two laptops all running Mint and it has been great.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-30
Votes: 14
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I recently switched/upgraded from Virginia, to Faye, and now to Gigi (LMDE 7). I had a problem with Virginia, which I won't go into. Suffice to say that I liked Mint so much that I didn't want to leave, so I jumped at the chance to install a Debian based Mint version (Faye). That worked out very well, so when Gigi came out, I was very excited. I guess it's been about three months that I've been using Gigi. I can't say enough good things about her. She is powerful, yet easy going; demanding at times, yet forgiving. She's great. My original DE was Cinnamon, but just for fun I installed Gnome. No problem whatsoever. Now, I just choose how I want to see Gigi dressed when I boot up. Either way, she's always beautiful and ready for what comes her way. What more could I ask for?
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-27
Votes: 2
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Wie der VW Käfer, es läuft und läuft und läuft. Einsteigerfreundlich, viele Treiber, man muß kaum in die Konsole. Von der Optik sicher nicht sehr modern, aber das kann jeder selbst gut anpassen. Nicht ein Absturz in 2 Jahren, alle Updates laufen sauber durch. Ich habe nichts was mich stören könnte. Parallel wird LMDE entwickelt, ohne Ubuntu Unterbau, falls das mal nötig wird. Was an LMDE stört ist die fehlende Treiberverwaltung, das ist aber nur wichtig wenn man NVIDIA Grafikkarten verwendet. Das löst Mint schon recht gut.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-25
Votes: 19
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The GOAT. Every distro hopping ends by coming back to Mint. Everything just works, and that is the main point for a daily driver. I know it seems more hype to rice an arch based distro, but at the end of the day Mint is so easy to make beautiful to your taste as well. And adding the fact it is a powerhorse, the safe bet is Mint for wide spectrum, and maybe an arch based distro like Cachy for niche needings. From time to time, give a bit of attention to the new kid in the block, then come back to Mint.10/10 for the peace of mind.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-24
Votes: 0
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I've been seeing people complain about silly things with Linux Mint. My experience it that it simply works, with a variety of hardware. ms windows is a paid for OS that is probably the only other system that has run this cleanly for me for the last 20 years. Like windows, you have to know where to go to adjust things to your discretion. Spend the time to learn it. I recently reconfigured Linux Mint to act and look like windows just to see if I could. It was fun! The update process patches all the holes so I suggest people just let it run.....and not be so upset over not having absolute control over every minute process. This is a VERY solid system. Spend the time and get to know it. It’s solid, stable, and is ready out of the box.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-23
Votes: 17
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Linux Mint remains, in my experience, one of the most practical and well-engineered Linux distributions available today. After extensive distro hopping, I consistently return to Mint because it delivers exactly what a daily-driver operating system should: speed, smoothness, and reliability with minimal friction. The system is exceptionally light on resources, boots quickly, and remains responsive even under sustained workloads. Out-of-the-box usability is a major strength—media codecs are easily installable, proprietary NVIDIA drivers are straightforward to configure, and hardware detection is reliable, eliminating the typical post-installation overhead seen in many other distributions.
My setup runs on an older laptop with an Intel i5-7200U and an NVIDIA 940MX, which I primarily use for Python development (with Podman-based workflows) and gaming, particularly Dota 2 on Steam. Despite testing numerous distributions, none have matched the FPS and overall gaming stability I get on Linux Mint—remarkably, this includes Windows as well. From a development standpoint, Mint provides a stable, distraction-free environment that allows me to focus on coding rather than system maintenance. While some critics argue that Mint ships with older packages, this is largely a non-issue in practice: newer software can be compiled from source, installed via Flatpak, or otherwise containerized—exactly as one would do on more bleeding-edge, Arch-based systems. Kernel upgrades are also straightforward if absolutely necessary, though I deliberately avoid them, valuing Mint’s stability over the risk of breaking a working system.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-22
Votes: 14
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OMG, I do not regret switching to Linux Mint from Windows. It just worked right out of the box, and everything just looked super nice and the performance was significantly better than Windows. Not to mention the software manager is SUPER useful and has all the programs i need without needing to go on a website to download. How it updates is so much better compared to windows as well as its just opening the update manager, clicking install update and its done! No need to restart! The customisation is so much better than windows too, like in windows i couldn't change much and it was very basic customisation. But in Linux Mint i can change icon themes, install themes to change how Mint looks all together and it just works without any external programs! The LibreOffice suite is also super cool too! Its completely free and runs locally, unlike that certain 365... And it just works! 10/10.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 8
Date: 2026-01-21
Votes: 0
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I have been using Linux Mint on and off since Mint 11 and I can say this release is coming closer, if not the release that I'll start using as my daily os. I'm dual booting with Windows 10 here in Jan 2026, also dual boot on another pc with Win 11. The main thing that had kept me from switching outright as been that it's absolutely necessary for me to use Ms Office because of formatting and speed issues on Linux. The speed of Office on Linux Mint via web browser was way too slow and would not even load large documents, but now seems to be working much better plus being able to add office icons to the desktop as installed apps has helped reach the production levels of working in Windows on native apps. If anything eventually replaces MS Windows for me, it's sure looking like Linux Mint will be it.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-01-21
Votes: 0
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Upgrade from 22.2 was flawless. I've tested various distros over the years since the 80's, but keep coming back to LM. Early versions were easy to break by doing simple changes like adding fonts and changing the GUI by adding bad extensions. However, this version has been a solid performer with lots of options to personalize the GUI. Obviously, the developers are doing a great job of testing before releasing, resulting in a very stable system and upgrades. For me, it's near perfect, but still a little room for improvement such as more sort categories in the file manager -- I still can't view or sort my image files by dimensions. However, I can just as easily adjust image files with GIMP as I can with Photoshop Elements on Windows. Another opportunity for improvement would be a decent PDF Editor, but that's not a fault of LM. I prefer to use LM for normal web browsing and file editing. It is much faster than Windows and no ads popping up. Excellent distro! I definitely recommend.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-20
Votes: 15
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Simple and effective updating. Clean and simple desktop.
Linux Mint confirms its nature as a reliable distribution, aimed at an audience seeking simplicity and continuity.
The conservative yet technically up-to-date approach is reflected in the management of updates, the aesthetic care of the Cinnamon environment, and the balance between control and automation.
This Linux Mint 22.3 is an excellent gateway to the world of Linux: simple to install, intuitive to use, and supported by a very active community. It combines the stability of Ubuntu with a familiar interface and tools designed for the end user, making it ideal for both beginners and those looking for a reliable and functional system.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-19
Votes: 1
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I'm a total Linux noob and have been using Windows since the mid 90's. I finally moved to Linux Mint after I was unable to upgrade to Windows 11 on my older laptop. Windows 10 was slow, filled with bloat and ads. Linux Mint 22.3 has been quick, smooth comes without any bloat or advertisements! Fantastic experience so far and it has been very easy to navigate from a Windows user. If I do need to use any Windows apps, I can always use Wine or another compatibility layer. Gaming has also been a great experience and I'm actually getting better performance and frame rates!
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-17
Votes: 26
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When Mint is about to update, it always something useful and indeed stable - perfect for work. New troubleshooting instruments gives more control over the system. Previous 22.2 version was perfect for my use scenarios, this one do minor important updates (as always). Mint is not trying to be something it shouldn't be, it is always reliable and never disappoints. Nothing much to tell about this update, and that is why Mint is the best distro for work and everyday use - it's predictable, perfect.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 7-LMDE
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-01-16
Votes: 12
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Just installed Mint 7 LMDE on my dear old 12" Macbook Pro 8Gb Late 2012, works like an absolute dream, always been a Mint fan, also a Debian fan, so a dream that has come true for me. (MacOS not supported now on this device, or not secure, so wanted to breath life back) Like a brand new laptop now.
Hooked up to monitor via HDMI cable ... bingo.
Installation was easy, even for anyone who is new to Linux Mint, or a bit unsure, go for it people, it just works ...
Thanks Team Mint and Distrowatch.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-15
Votes: 8
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Just works, looks good, does everything I need, no issues.
Runs cooler on my laptop than other distros.
I like to distro hop but I keep coming back, usually because of laptop temps.
Started with Unix, yea, I know. Tried to use the early Linux OS but after WEEKS trying to get my printer to work I gave. Sorry I did, took many years for me to finally tell M$ to kiss off.
I've been switching my family and friends to Mint for the last six or eight years.
Really only had one problem, helping someone replace their Windows Quicken.
There are Linux replacements BUT...
Turned out to be a large learning curve for someone who was basically clueless.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-15
Votes: 9
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Mint is ridiculously good.
Every single other distro I tried to use had me tinker less or more, to the degree that I had to write a goddamn bash-script to set it up (arch btw).
The new menu sucks, but fortunately the community has the Classic Menu available in the Applets section.
Steam works fine (non-flatpak), no annoying notifications every 5 minutes (looking at you, KDE) using Cinnamon, no graphic driver repos that you have to enable manually and then sit in front of a black screen after reboot (fedora), I could write a whole essay about my issues with most other distros... which I'm not gonna.
I've used LM as my first distro and the more distrohopping I did, the more I wished for an OS that "just works" - and Mint does exactly that.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-15
Votes: 13
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I first saw Linux in March 1995. That was Slackware headless. Early in '96, I found Redhat, and they had a graphic front end. I think that early one was gnome or gnome2 but I have been laughed at, so I don't know. Then we got a version of Windows that was pretty acceptable, so I just played with Linux in VMware boxes. About 2008, I had a massive security mess, which was not really M$ fault, it was mine, but it wouldn't have happened if I'd been on Linux as my daily, so I made the jump. First port was Ubuntu, which by now was all gnome2, which I liked. A few months later, they told us all 'Hey ~ look at this wonderful new thing we're experimenting with, which we call Unity.' Then over about 3 months, it went from wild idea, to shaky alpha, to BETA test, to something you could install and use, to the recommended option, to the only option. It was Unity or the highway, so I walked.
At that point, I came here to distrowatch, to see what else there was, and top place on the list was a thing called Linux Mint, and Mint had a new beta release out featuring a new thing, started in Argentina or some place, called MATE, which was a fork / rebirth of the gnome2 desktop.
"Shut up and take my money!"
I think that was about late 2009 or early 2010, and this is what I've lived in ever since.
So obviously, I rate it very highly.
Historically, the install / live CD comes out before any upgrade path, but going from 22.1 -> 22.2 they swapped that around and the upgrade went live (if you knew what to look for) a couple of days before the ISO came out. Perhaps 36 hours. Same thing this time, going up to 22.3. I was running 22.3 well before mother Mint or any of the mirrors (Ok, I only checked one, aarnet in Australia) had it. Maybe the final BETA is exactly the same as the Gold file, maybe they changed it slightly, I don't know.
There are a couple of new bits & pieces, but my i7-6700 non-k doesn't have a fingerprint reader so that's not a lot of use to me. A couple of the icons look slightly newer and cleaner. (Doesn't have a built-in camera either, or a trusted Microsoft Computing unit, or a Secure Boot That prevents Linux module ~ )
Note : That isn't a complaint, that's a complement. It was pretty right already and it wasn't broken so they didn't fix it.
Folklore & conventional wisdom has it Mint is a good "Beginner Distro" and that's true. It's just a good distro.
If you want to go advanced and very demanding, there's Slackware, there's Linux From Scratch, there's Gentoo, and slightly less 'advanced' than that, there's Arch (actually) and then there are a number of Arch based things like EndeavourOS that are very good. There's Cachy, which is conceptually similar. I have played with all these things, and I still have some of them, in VirtualBoxes, running on my host of Mint + Mate, now up to 22.3, which is very easy and very reliable and very familiar, and I wouldn't change much of anything.
As far as I can see, the only reason you would want something other than Mint, would be so you could look down your long superior nose and say "I use Arch, actually."
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 8
Date: 2026-01-14
Votes: 0
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In a long history of evolutionary improvements the newly designed menu in 22.3 is a miss-fire.
It may be responsive, but simple and pleasing it is not. Flat and plain. In short it's no all-girl K-Pop band. There is a new applet that can be downloaded that will enable users to return to the Classic Menu. But if the new menu is an improvement, why is such an applet necessary?
Other new features are welcome additions. An expanded system info is helpful. So does one wiff among several hits kill the deal? Ordinarily, no, but a wiff at the plate when the bases are loaded may send you to arbitration.
Bring back the polish!
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-14
Votes: 9
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Coming over from decades of Windows, Mint is very refreshing. I had no idea what this level of freedom felt like. Ridding myself of all the subscriptions, easily customizable, and works fine on my two laptops. The installation is quick and easy. I tried many different distros, but kept coming back to Mint. Maybe it's because the look felt familiar, coming over from Windows. But also knowing that Linux does not treat its users like products to sell. The privacy aspect was defiinitely a deciding factor when choosing a new OS. I have played around with Mint so much; broken things, reinstalled, tried different levels of security - that in just a few months I have learned a great deal. And about Linux, in general, too. The command line was a turnoff years ago, but now I find myself jumping to the terminal for some of the quick things. I love this OS.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-01-14
Votes: 4
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By far my favorite to put on desktops for people that either don't have any experience with Linux.
If they don't want to learn to much "it just works". Software installation is easy with their software manager which has both their own and the ubuntu repo's behind it. Flatpaks are also behind it so installing Spotify, Teams, Steam, ... becomes trivial
Also fun is that they have automatic snapshot functionality for both ext4 and btrfs. The only thing I don't like here that they stopped letting you choose btrfs as filesystem type in the installation menu. (They do still let you manually partition your drive, so if you create a btrfs partition to be mounted as / there you have btrfs-snapshot functionality again)
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-13
Votes: 7
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Linux Mint 22.3 "Zena" is a polished, stable point release focused on quality-of-life improvements and Cinnamon desktop refinements.Rock-solid performance and new features like a redesigned Application Menu, better system info tools, and enhanced file operations (pause/resume), making it ideal for users seeking reliability over cutting-edge novelty. While some find it lacks major innovation, it excels at being a dependable, user-friendly system for everyday use, with updates supporting it until 2029,
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-13
Votes: 6
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I have been using Mint since version 17.1, when I was looking at replacing Win XP when support was ending. I have never regretted it, each upgrade just makes the system better and better. I used xfce desktop at first, I thought Cinnamon themes were a bit too fiddly to configure, but I've been using Cinnamon desktop now since Mint 21.x.
Very stylish, lots of themes to browse and customise the desktop.
Mint 22.3 is a great all-rounder, it's so good at just about everything.
Highly recommended.
If you know of anyone who is looking for an Operating System which just allows you to get on with things and doesn't get in the way, point them towards Mint.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-13
Votes: 10
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This is the one. If you have a friend or relative who needs to start with Linux. You can't find a better starter. I have been on Linux 13+ years. I still keep it on one or more of my computers. I've heard people say things like newbies need to learn and start with Arch / Gentoo. That's like giving a 12 yer old a Ferrari and think hes not going to kill himself or someone else. It a guarantee FAIL! Start them on level 1 easy. Like a game. Let them enjoy it first . If they enjoy it. they will love Linux. You'll be a hero.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-12
Votes: 9
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Running Linux Mint 22.3 on an older MacBook Pro with an Intel i5 processor and Intel graphics. And Mint 22.3 runs great on it love using it and its perfect for an older MacBook since Apple doesn't support these older Mac's with the current version of MacOS. I also really like the new interface changes which gives it an even more modern aesthetic to keep up with current styles.
I really also like the new System Information app as it gives soo much info up front without having to resort to command line to look up hardware and other information for troubleshooting. Its also much better for the common user when doing phone support or trying to guide someone though troubleshooting. Its just a much more clean easy way of doing something that was alittle more technical in the past.
The new menu system is great but I did notice out of the box I did have to make adjustments to the menu to make it to my liking. For example I had to change my settings to the following to make it more visually pleasing to myself.
Categories Icon Size 15px
Application icon size 24px
Sidebar icon size 28px
Maximum sidebar width 160px
I also placed the search bar on the top while keeping the power on and off in the sidebar. The only thing i would like added in the Sidebar is an option of a separator bar to break up "Places" and "Favorites". Also a feature that would remove the names on the icons (just showing icons only) and put "Places" in one column and "Favorites" in another column side by side each other in the same sidebar.
These are things that can be added later but over its a great modern style menu and is a great addition.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-12
Votes: 6
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I'm actually on 22.2 at the time of writing this:
Originally when I started out using Linux in 2024 I started with Xubuntu 22.04, but swapped over to Linux Mint in March 2025 when Xubuntu 22.04 was going to EoL and simply because I don't like the whole snappification of Ubuntu.
Linux Mint is incredibily reliable, and has done everything I need it to.
I can play the games I want to play via Heroic Games Launcher, I can type in Japanese using an IME which Linux Mint helpfully explains how to set up.
Web browsing, listening to music, studying, watching videos, communication (via IRC)...
Honestly, there's no reason for me to hop to another distro.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.3
Rating: 7
Date: 2026-01-12
Votes: 0
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From a UI look, not much changed on 22.3, but the new menu is really poor. The symbolic icons make it hard to glance at and know what you want. That can be changed easyl enough but changing the Panel (network/volume/battery) icons seems not to be possible.
The new System Administration app is very cool and covers a lot of info which used to be CLI.
Other than the benefits, I think Mint should focus on updating the amdgpu and libreoffice and kernel packages to bring it closer to modern hardware. Maybe not as OOTB, but certainly a user option.
Keeping support for older GPU's needs to be a thing as well as nvidia is dropping support for anything older than 20 series. Like 1050/1060etc.
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Project: Linux Mint
Version: 22.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-01-11
Votes: 0
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I've tried many Linux distros since the "80's," and Mint has checked the options I want in an OS more than most. The latest (22.2) has been running stable, and I'm very satisfied with its function and customization. I should mention that I'm a senior--but tech savvy. Enthusiasm for computers started with the release of the Commodore Vic 20, and I've built several desktop computers since. My best advice to new users is, DON'T TINKER THE HELL OUT OF IT! Limit the number of extensions and gadgets. And if the system already does something, such as, change the desktop images on a time schedule, don't add another extension that does the same thing! Stuff like that will break it!!! Just go slow with customizations and the OS will serve you well. Cheers!
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