Five things to consider when switching to Linux Mint

Linux was once the standard but only partially helpful answer when asked what to do with an old computer.

For many, it was an academic exercise: something you tinkered with when you'd moved to a new machine and could afford to corrupt your old workhorse. There was no guarantee that a Linux machine would play nicely with your existing data, sharing files with friends and family could be difficult, and the overall process could often have been a lot more user-friendly. None of that is true today.

Five things to consider when switching to Linux Mint: It's familiar

Let's be blunt: there's no reason why Linux shouldn't be your primary operating system. Most of your data is platform agnostic, many apps run in the browser, and Linux itself is as friendly and easy to use as Windows.

Ubuntu might be the best-known distribution, but Linux Mint (linuxmint.com), which is based on Ubuntu, is where many Windows switchers end up. Where Ubuntu uses the Gnome desktop environment, Mint uses Cinnamon by default, but can also work with MATE or Xfce. Cinnamon retains many Windows constructs that Gnome lacks, including the taskbar, applets, and desklets (reminiscent of Windows' desktop gadgets).

We also recommend checking out Zorin OS (zorin.com), particularly if you'd be happy to pay £39 for the Pro edition. This includes one of the best Windows 11 desktop themes you'll ever encounter.

Long term support

Linux may only command around 3% of the market for desktop operating systems, but the community that uses it is active and supportive. You'll have no trouble finding help when you need it, nor in keeping your system secure. Linux checks for patches and downloads them as required – just like Windows Update. The latest release of Linux Mint, version 21.1, Victoria, is based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, so will receive support until April 2027. That makes it a great choice for long-term deployments.

Using Linux once required familiarity with the command prompt, but that's rarely the case today. You can install software without touching the keyboard, thanks to built-in app stores, and comprehensive Setting applets make configuration easy. Nor do you need to relearn your Windows muscle memory. Well-established keyboard shortcuts carry across, so you already know 90% of what you need to get started.

Mint comes bundled with LibreOffice, which offers broad compatibility with Microsoft's Office document formats. Linux distributions don't have access to the Calibri or Cambria fonts used in Office, but alternatives are available. Carlito and Caladea were designed to be metrically equivalent to Calibri and Cambria, and Microsoft has made other fonts available for installation using Terminal. On a Debian operating system like Linux Mint, the necessary command is: sudo apt install ttf-mscorefonts-installer The package includes Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia, Courier New, Impact, and Verdana.

Linux is environmentally friendly 

Linux Mint requires 2GB of RAM, 20GB of disk space, and a 1,024 x 768 display. Compare that to Windows 11, which needs double the RAM, 64GB storage, an HD (720p) display, and, crucially, Trusted Platform Module version 2 (TPM 2). If you want to keep older hardware running into the future without compromising security, Linux is your best bet. It can also help reduce your contribution to the world's e-waste mountain. 

Access to Windows apps

Switching to Linux doesn't necessarily mean losing access to the apps you rely on. Mainstream Windows apps such as Inkscape, DaVinci Resolve, and Thunderbird have Linux equivalents, others run in a browser, and many older programs can be run using WINE (winehq.org). WINE is a Linux environment that acts as a Windows layer on top of the Linux OS. It isn't installed by default, but you can set it up through the Terminal.

WINE supports 30,000 Windows apps, including Photoshop CS6, Excel 2016, and WordPerfect X3. When browsing the list (appdb.winehq.org), favor apps with Platinum or Gold ratings, as these are considered to work without issue. You'll need your old installation media to set them up. 

Linux Mint alternatives 

So far we've presented the arguments for Linux Mint, but some might ask why not run Ubuntu instead. You'll receive updates sooner and there will be fewer links in the dev chain as your OS won't be an adaptation of an existing operating system. And you will notice that I only say "some" Windows apps work. Not all. 

If you need to run specific versions of apps there's often no option but to stick with Windows or switch to macOS, where equivalent versions exist. In this case, if your hardware doesn't have the specs required by Windows 11, check out Tiny11.

This content originally appeared on ITPro's sibling magazine PC Pro. For more information and to subscribe, please visit PC Pro's subscription site.