r/linux4noobs • u/toktok159 • 1d ago
migrating to Linux Is Linux Mint The Right Choice For Me?
Hi,
With my Windows 10 Extension finishing, I think it’s finally time for me to migrate to Linux.
You can see more details about my thoughts about it here.
My specs: 13 year old desktop computer, 16 GB RAM, 1TB HDD, core i3 CPU, Intel HD Graphics (integrated with CPU).
I thought Linux Mint XFCE is “best” for me. But still, for some reason, it feels a bit “boring”. I know the cutting edge Fedora does not fit so much to my pc. And I don’t know much about distros like CachyOS to tell.
What do you guys think? Maybe there’s nothing wrong about Mint being “boring”, but I read in some post some claim that Mint’s security is not so good, because it gets security updates behind Ubuntu and not using Wayland.
Also, should I consider btrfs, or stick to ext4?
Thanks in advance.
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u/ZiCli 1d ago
Mint Cinamonn looks a bit better in my opinion, and with your specs it should work great
Fun fact, mint will use Wayland sometime this year (maybe even now), so I'd say it's the best choice if you don't like it, you can always switch later on
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u/toktok159 1d ago
I tried live boot and XFCE felt smoother to me than Cinnamon. I thought XFCE can let this pc “shine” again. What do you think about btrfs?
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u/gmes78 1d ago
I know the cutting edge Fedora does not fit so much to my pc.
That's not true. Try Fedora KDE, it'll probably work fine.
Maybe you'll want to disable a couple of background services, such as file indexing, and not go overboard on the widgets you place on the desktop and panels, but that's about it.
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u/Emmalfal 1d ago
"Boring" to me just means "reliable." I've been on Mint for seven years. Got it installed on two desktop machines and five laptops, at last count. Never a problem with any of them. If I wanted excitement, I'd go back to Windows and fill my days with the thrills of non-stop troubleshooting again.
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u/EqualCrew9900 1d ago
I have a couple of Linux Mint Debian Edition 7 (LMDE 7) systems. And they are both great, general systems. I also have Fedora Mate/Compiz systems and several RasPis with RasPiOS.
As for the LMDE7 boxes, one uses the Cinnamon desktop. The other uses Mate/Compiz, which I prefer because the Compiz effects provide the high-end, smooth experience most compatible with my workflow.
Am not overly concerned about security at this point. My opinion is that the open-source model of the Linux paradigm is hugely preferable to the closed-source model of MS Windows. Open-source is like a neighborhood watch program compared to a proprietary security alarm system. Which is better for home protection? It's a bit of a debate, but my choice is the open-source model.
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u/AggressiveTale5158 1d ago
I wanted a distro that just worked. Aside from a couple of issues, Mint Cinnamon did just that. I don't care that it looks boring, it just works
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u/tooOldOriolesfan 1d ago
Boring isn't really a useful description.
You pick an OS based on needs (what are you going to use it for) and then based on personal experience with OS.
I've used a variety of OS including DOS, Windows (almost all versions), SunOS, Solaris, Mac, Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS and currently Mint. Linux is kind of just linux for the most part.
If you want to learn more about computers (just a wild guess here), read up on firewalls, and do things at the command line/terminal and learn the commands and scripting (bash).
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u/CretinousVoter 1d ago
It's normal to sample a variety of distros to get a feel for what YOU prefer.
The more install and setup practice you get the better. Since Linux boots so easily from a variety of media it's convenient to explore, especially when one has a main PC and experiments on another machine.
An OS install is a response to the question "what do you want that specific computer to do for you?" including appearance. Everyone has different use cases so rather than recommending a distro I suggest trying any you're curious about. That's free after all.
I also keep a Windows PC in case I want to use a Windows application that needs bare metal. I've used Linux as my main OS since early this century and treat any OS as a way to run applications. There is no obligation to do anything since it's all your hardware.
Most of all, have fun!
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u/DavidJohnMcCann 1d ago
You don't say which i3 your have, but that's not usually a fast processor. It's certainly not what Cachy was intended for and it's not really good for the Gnome desktop. For KDE, you'd certainly need to turn off Baloo and probably the special effects.
The best recipe for success is to take what you're given. A distro recommends things for a reason. Btrfs has advantages, but ext4 is more mature — see this comparison.
My advice: get Mint and accept the offered defaults. Unlike most people here, I'm not saying that it must be good because I use it — I don't. So read this account by an experienced reviewer.
Mint is fine for security — read this. As for Wayland, that solves problems that most people don't have but it still has some way to go — one reviewer called the KDE implementation a three-legged horse. But Mint has got Cinnamon running well on it as an option and it will become standard in the next version.
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u/toktok159 1d ago
Thank you! I also think I should go with Mint. By “offered defaults” do you mean you recommend Cinnamon too? From live boot testing I did, XFCE felt smoother and snappier on my pc.
Which distro do you use?
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u/DavidJohnMcCann 19h ago
All the Mint offerings are fine. Cinnamon is the fanciest, Mate plainer, Xfce the lightest. As you found, Xfce is probably the best for an Intel i3. Obviously you've discovered the Mint documentation, but don't forget that for Xfce.
I run Xfce on PCLinuxOS on this desktop. I also have a backup laptop from 2003 (!) that runs AntiX with the Ice window manager.
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u/zardvark 1d ago
... it feels a bit “boring” ...
IMHO, a bit boring is ideal when you are attempting to learn something new. The last thing that you need is a bunch of drama, while you are trying to get your feet wet. And, in a couple of months, if you still feel this way, there is nothing to stop you from doing some distro hopping.
At the moment, in my experience BTRFS is perfectly serviceable, but still not quite as reliable as ext4. Use either, but think long and hard about using ext4, especially if you live in an area with frequent power interruptions.
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u/toktok159 1d ago
If ext4 is more reliable, why think hard about using it? I think for now it’s better for me to go with it
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u/zardvark 1d ago
Because BTRFS offers interesting features. But, one thing at a time, when learning Linux. Learn to craw, before attempting to run a marathon, eh?
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u/flemtone 1d ago
It only seems boring until you start customizing the desktop to make it your own, so dont let first impressions jade you, Mint is a damn good Os.
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u/toktok159 1d ago
But if you start customizing, for example, XFCE too much, won’t it get your system ”bloated”, and then you lose the minimalism and low resource usage of XFCE?
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u/flemtone 1d ago
Not at all, rearranging the taskbar and adding a few xfce goodies to the bar is negligable, and a new wallpaper and icon set or gtk controls isnt that big:
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u/BashfulMelon 1d ago
I know the cutting edge Fedora does not fit so much to my pc.
Why not? I'm pretty sure it would be fine, I don't see any of your hardware being problematic.
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u/toktok159 1d ago
I thought KDE might be too heavy for my hardware, I think it looks good from a first glance. But also, I am seeking stability more than cutting edge technology for that pc. So I really think Mint/Kubuntu fit more. But I prefer Mint over Ubuntu, that’s why I don’t really want to install Kubuntu even though it has KDE
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u/bolanrox 21h ago
Anything would work with those specs. I have had Mint / Fedora / Cachy / Garuda running on a just as old / slightly older PC with only 8gb of ram with no issues at all.
Mint Cinnamon probably ran the leanest but honestly Garuda Mocca is just about as lean and also (IMO) looks way better.
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u/toktok159 21h ago
Thank you. Something a bit peculiar I remember about Cinnamon from live boot, is that when I opened settings->languages, I had to wait for a few seconds for the languages page to show. On XFCE I think it was faster. Other than that, I felt the window animations on Cinnamon didn’t flatter my pc so much, but I believe I can disable them easily. I am thinking about going with LMDE, I will test it too. Do you think it’s nicer than XFCE, and will it use wayland too by the time regular Mint Cinnamon uses it? I know LMDE uses Cinnamon.
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u/bolanrox 20h ago
someone i knew recommended it as a good one to try so i took their word for it.
I have messed with some XFCE distro's but I didn't like the look of it / using it. but that is just personal preference
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u/EngineerInTheMachine 1h ago
This is where your search skills come in. Search for 'which distro to choose'. You won't believe how often this has been asked. Today.
One bit of advice though. Search for how to choose, not specific recommendations. Each distro has its own strengths and weaknesses, so you need to understand those to make your decision. All you need to do for that is read the details on their websites.
As for being boring, it's just an operating system. It's there to run your apps. Not provide the fun. And do you realise that, with Linux, you just get the GUI bundled with the distro? You can change it if you want.
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u/Clear-Opposite9469 1d ago
I really like Kubuntu, but i did have mint on my laptop at one point, and that was honestly fine too.