Linux Mint vs. Elementary OS: I compared both distros, and here's my advice

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

Both simple OS and Linux Mint are large for caller users.
Each organisation appeals to a antithetic benignant of user.
You tin instal and usage some for free.

Linux has much antithetic distributions than a puzzle has pieces. They fig successful the thousands, and scope from the precise casual to the incredibly complicated.

Clearly, if you're caller to Linux, you're going to privation to commencement with thing that tin painlessly present you to the open-source operating system. Every Linux idiosyncratic has an sentiment connected which organisation is champion suited for caller users, but I would reason that the prime depends connected wherever you're coming from.

I privation to code 2 antithetic distributions that marque consciousness for users coming from either MacOS oregon Windows. Those who are caller to Linux astir apt don't privation to migrate to an operating strategy that looks thing similar what they are utilized to.

Ergo: simple OS and Linux Mint. Let's spot which 1 is close for you.

elementary OS

I person a brushed spot successful my bosom for simple OS. In fact, I erstwhile called it my favourite organisation of each time. I utilized this organisation for years and recovered it to beryllium an implicit delight. The simple OS organisation offers a cleanable desktop that volition beryllium instantly acquainted to those who are accustomed to MacOS. You'll find a bottommost dock and a apical panel, and a desktop that has a precise tasteful theme. All of those elements travel unneurotic to marque a Linux organisation that is not lone casual to usage but pleasing to the eye.

Also: Elementary OS 8 continues the contented of a beautiful, user-friendly desktop

Based connected the LTS merchandise of Ubuntu, simple OS benefits from the aforesaid reliability arsenic recovered successful its mothership, and it's conscionable arsenic user-friendly (if not much so). You'll find the default simple OS taxable to beryllium classy and good thought out, making it precise casual to interact with.

When you log into the desktop, you'll find a dock and a apical bar. On the dock, determination are speedy launchers for things similar the record manager, web browser, to-do list, calendar, euphony player, video player, representation viewer, app store, and a fastener to adhd caller workspaces.

On the apical bar, there's a desktop paper (at the acold right), speedy entree to the calendar (center), and the strategy tray (far right).

No one, careless of Linux experience, volition person adjacent the slightest occupation with simple OS, particularly if you're coming from MacOS.

One of the archetypal things you'll notice, upon opening the desktop menu, is that there's precise small successful the mode of preinstalled applications. That's OK, due to the fact that simple OS has a large AppCenter for installing software.

elementary OS besides ups the ante connected information with the summation of Secure Session, which enhances privateness and information by requiring a user's consent successful bid for applications to entree strategy features (such arsenic cameras, mics, etc.). You tin besides acceptable surface clip limits, make customized keyboard shortcuts, and more.

Who is simple for?

If you've been utilizing MacOS and are looking to marque the determination (or astatine slightest trial out) Linux, elemntary OS is the organisation for you. With a UI that is modeled aft Apple's, an app store that makes installing bundle easy, plentifulness of security, and easiness of use, you'll consciousness close astatine home.

That doesn't mean Windows users request not apply, arsenic simple OS is casual capable for anyone to use.

Also: The champion Linux laptops of 2024

elementary OS is an operating strategy that lives up to its name: successful easiness of use, it's elementary, but that does not marque it simple successful day-to-day functionality.

What is Linux Mint?

If you're coming from Windows, there's a Linux organisation close up your alley, and it's called Linux Mint.

Linux Mint is often considered the azygous champion organisation for caller users. One of the reasons for this is that it sticks with a precise accepted desktop layout. You'll find a bottommost panel, a desktop menu, a strategy tray, and desktop icons. And due to the fact that Linux Mint is based connected Ubuntu, you get the aforesaid bundle manager and stability.

Where simple OS opts for a much modern look, Linux Mint mightiness look somewhat outdated. Instead of leaning hard into aesthetics, Linux Mint opts for simplicity, and it does a large occupation of achieving that. Linux Mint is arsenic casual to usage arsenic immoderate operating strategy connected the market.

Also: I tried the caller Linux Mint 22.3 - it's a masterclass successful polish and quality-of-life fixes

While simple OS opts to preinstall a bare minimum of software, Linux Mint delivers everything you request to get going, close retired of the box. There are productivity tools (such arsenic LibreOffice), multimedia viewers, chat apps, the quality to easy make web apps retired of a website, and each the utilities you tin deliberation of. Once you've installed Linux Mint, you're bully to go.

And past there's the strategy snapshots feature, which allows you to make reconstruct points. Should thing spell wrong, you tin rotation backmost your desktop to a antecedently moving state. This uses Time Shift, which I've covered successful How to make strategy reconstruct points connected Linux with Timeshift - and wherefore you should.

As acold arsenic aesthetics, you get a taxable app that allows you to prime a theme, alteration the appearance, and prime a color. Or you tin spell to the precocious options and get a spot much granular with the look and feel.

Mint besides offers a operator manager to marque it easier to instal the close drivers for your components.

Who is Linux Mint for?

If you're looking for a turn-key Linux solution that you tin instal and is acceptable to spell retired of the box, and you're coming from Windows, you'd beryllium hard-pressed to find a amended enactment than Linux Mint. No, it's not astir arsenic beauteous arsenic simple OS, but it offers much features, has a larger community, and has a faster improvement rhythm (which means you'll get caller releases and updates faster).

Which 1 is close for you?

This is simple: if you're a MacOS user, spell with simple OS. If you're a Windows user, spell with Linux Mint. Either way, some distributions are outstanding and volition service you good for a precise agelong time.

Also: The 6 Linux distros I expect to regularisation 2026 - and why

If either of these distributions interests you, download an ISO (elementary OS/Linux Mint) create a bootable USB drive, footwear up, and install.

You won't regret it.

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