Linux Mint Review: The Perfect Balance of Simplicity and Power

By Shanu Mathew |ManagingEditor| Brutnow media

Linux Mint has consistently ranked among the most popular Linux distributions for over a decade. Praised for its user-friendly approach and stability, it serves as an excellent gateway into the Linux world for Windows converts while remaining powerful enough for experienced users. This in-depth review covers everything you need to know before installing Mint.

Detailed Key Features

1. Desktop Environment Options

Linux Mint offers three main editions, each catering to different needs:

Cinnamon Edition (Flagship)

Modern, elegant interface with customizable panels and applets
Familiar layout for Windows users (start menu, system tray, desktop icons)
Hardware acceleration support for smooth animations
Extensible through applets, desklets, and extensions

MATE Edition

Continuation of GNOME 2’s classic desktop paradigm
Lighter on resources than Cinnamon while maintaining traditional workflow
Highly configurable through its robust control center

Xfce Edition

Extremely lightweight (can run on PCs with as little as 1GB RAM)
Simple and efficient without sacrificing functionality
Ideal for older hardware or minimalists

2. Installation Process

User-friendly installer with clear partitioning options
Dual-boot capability with Windows (automatic partitioning available)
Option to install multimedia codecs during setup
Takes about 10-20 minutes on modern hardware

3. Software Management

Software Manager

Clean, categorized interface for browsing applications
Includes user ratings and reviews
Supports both traditional packages and Flatpaks

Update Manager

Provides different update levels (from safe to risky)
Can create system snapshots with Timeshift integration
Security updates are highlighted and prioritized

Included Applications

Firefox (default web browser)
LibreOffice (office suite)
Thunderbird (email)
GIMP (image editing)
VLC (media player)
Timeshift (system backup)

4. System Requirements & Performance

Minimum Specifications

2GB RAM (4GB recommended)
20GB disk space (100GB recommended for comfortable use)
1024×768 resolution display

Performance Benchmarks

Boot time: 15-30 seconds on SSD
Memory usage: ~500MB at idle (Xfce), ~800MB (Cinnamon)
Extremely responsive even on decade-old hardware

5. Customization Options

Multiple theme options (including dark mode)
Extensive panel configuration
Desktop effects and window management tweaks
Applet system for adding functionality to panels

Real-World Usage Scenarios

For Windows Migrants

Similar workflow reduces learning curve
Wine and PlayOnLinux support for running some Windows apps
Better privacy and security out of the box

For Developers

Full access to Linux toolchain
Supports Docker, VS Code, and all major programming languages
Excellent terminal integration

For Multimedia Users

Handles 4K video playback smoothly
Supports all major audio and video formats (with optional codecs)
Good compatibility with peripherals like graphics tablets

Security Features

Regular security update
Built-in firewall (GUI available)
No telemetry or data collection
Option for full-disk encryption during installation

Comparison with Other Distros

vs Ubuntu

More traditional desktop experience
Includes proprietary codecs by default
Less aggressive with Snap packages

vs Manjaro

More stable (Ubuntu LTS base vs rolling release)
Larger software repository
Better for enterprise/business use

vs Fedora

More conservative with updates
Better for beginners
More multimedia support out of the box

Potential Limitations

Not ideal for cutting-edge hardware support (kernel lags behind Arch)
Limited gaming support compared to Windows (though Steam Proton helps)
Some proprietary software unavailable (Adobe products, etc.)
Less customization than KDE-based distros

Who Should Use Linux Mint?

✔ Ideal for:

Windows users transitioning to Linux
Users who value stability over cutting-edge features
Those needing a lightweight OS for older hardware
People who want a system that “just works”

✖ Not ideal for:

Users who need latest software versions immediately
Enterprise environments needing RHEL compatibility
Developers needing very recent toolchain versions

Final Verdict
Rating: 9/10

Linux Mint delivers one of the most polished desktop Linux experiences available today. It successfully bridges the gap between accessibility and capability, offering a system that’s both easy to use and powerful enough for most computing needs.

Pros: