Ubuntu vs Mint
Ubuntu vs Mint
I’m trying to determine if Linux fits as a main operating system for my future PC. I plan to assemble a powerful machine and don’t want Windows. Apple doesn’t make hardware that appeals to me right now. Before committing, I need to see if Linux is mature enough for everyday use.
Mobile devices often face more issues, but PC components generally work well if you build a tower. Standard parts fit nicely together, and an i7 from 2011 can handle Linux smoothly—often beyond what’s recommended. My 2011 laptop with an i5 also runs Linux without trouble. Focus on checking if your software needs to run natively, via emulation, or in a virtual environment.
They keep oscillating between ideas. Sometimes they discuss shutting down Mint, other times they shift to Debian, and then they start promoting unnecessary features and updates. It wouldn't be a good idea just for that reason. They seem uncertain about their goals. With Ubuntu already having quite old packages, adding more problems comes from holding back newer versions. I've also noticed some newer packages paired with outdated dependencies. People might face even more trouble. I'm sure many have run into similar issues. Personally, I've always found Mint to be a mess. While I don't like Ubuntu, I think it's actually 10 times better than Mint.
I don't agree with @Nayr438. Although it's clear which aspects are acceptable or not, the progress in recent years hasn't reached a stage where developers claimed they were ending Mint development. You might be talking about LMDE (Debian-based Mint). It has existed alongside the Ubuntu mainline for several years. Besides being an operating system, it serves as a backup option if Ubuntu becomes unavailable or unsuitable for future use as a foundation for Mint. To date, developers haven't indicated an immediate shift away from using Ubuntu. This is more about design than a flaw—it fits the LTS model, unlike a continuous release. Packages are updated less often (or not at all) during the OS's lifecycle to ensure stability, which isn't to say nothing changes. Many updates focus on security, and some applications like Firefox or Thunderbird also receive regular patches. Whether you choose Mint over Ubuntu, vice versa, or prefer another distribution such as Manjaro, CentOS, or openSUSE is ultimately a personal decision.
I aim to use mostly Linux-based native applications—Python (Anaconda), R, Libre Office, Firefox/Waterfox. With some effort, I hope to set up macOS in a VM, though this is still under exploration. I'm considering building a Threadripper system (not the 64-core version, which is too expensive). My goal is to keep this setup for a very long time. Ideally, I'd like to end up with a macOS system that runs faster than any Apple product currently exists.