Ubuntu vs. Linux Mint?

Question

Ubuntu vs. Linux Mint?

Answer 1

Ubuntu Vs Linux Mint

Answer 2

Since you're asking this question, I'm assuming your not overly familiar with Linux. Given that, I'd rule Fedora out; it demands more manual configuration installing common programs like Flash, MP3 and DVD codecs, heck, even Google's Chromium web browser isn't in their standard repository. Ubuntu or Mint will be fine for most beginners; people have their personal preferences. I say try both as Live CDs and pick the one that clicks best with you.

Answer 3

it's just my opinion, but I like Mint better. it worked better on my systems right from the start (no extras to download to get wireless to work.) and it's gnome gui was a lot more familiar to me than that of ubuntu as I migrated from windows. and now that Mint 9 has a wider selection of programs (from the same repositories as ubuntu) I think I will be sticking with it for quite a while.



I have been using linux since ubuntu 7.10, but switched to Mint 5 when I saw it suggested on Y!A. now I am using Mint 9 (after finally getting it to install properly [most errors were by my mistakes])

Answer 4

To begin with I would immediately forget Ubuntu 10.04 and Linux Mint 9 as there are multiple stability issues with both releases. With Linux Mint 9 this is not surprising seeing as it is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 so therefore inherits many of the BUGS



I started out with Linux in 2006 with Ubuntu 6.10 whilst Dual Booting with XP. In 2007 I converted entirely to Linux with Linux Mint 3.1 which was based upon Ubuntu 7.04 which in itself was a fine release.



I have worked with all the Ubuntu and Linux Mint releases at one time or another and have become settled with Linux Mint 7 and Linux Mint 8



Linux Mint 7 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 7 (Gloria)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-7-gloria



Linux Mint 8 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=44



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 8 (Helena)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-8-helena



Modern Linux Mint is actually very different in some respects even though Ubuntu is at its base. True there was a time when Linux Mint was no more than Ubuntu with facepaint and a few extra repositories to make it so it could run 'out of the box' without the need to install Flash player, codecs. etc.



Linux Mint has now matured in to a fully fledged ready to go alternative to proprietary platforms with many people rather waiting the new release of Linux Mint and not installing the latest Ubuntu and opting to perhaps run it from the LiveCD



Furthermore Linux Mint is ready to break its ties to Ubuntu and go Debian therefore making for an even more stable distro. this would be advantagous given how poor Linux Mint 9 is on the back of Ubuntu 10.04



Debian (origin of Ubuntu) has much in common most importantly Package Management

http://www.debian.org/





LUg.

Answer 5

Linux Mint has the multimedia codecs and such pre-installed, which is not the case in Ubuntu. This is pretty much the only major difference AFAIK.



I haven't tried Mint (yet), but maybe I'll check it out in VirtualBox some day. Either seems to be OK for me.



So you have a dual-boot system with both Lucid and Mint on it? Cool, I might try out that very same combination myself, some day...

Answer 6

I love UBUNTU because the way application management is setup, I have not played with 10.04 yet but I still like the (I guess now defunct) synaptic package manager... I also find that certain things are easier with UBUNTU versus other distros such as; Compiz, & Startup Manager...



I DO however hate the move to GRUB2 for UBUNTU 9.10 and above, I hate GRUB2...

Answer 7

I have been using ubuntu on and off since about 06 myself, but I do not think it is good as Linux Mint. LM is what ubuntu claims to be (an out of the box distro). Once I install ubuntu, I find myself installing a bunch of codecs, getting rid of the ugly theme, and spending the next week trying to figure out an arbitrary hardware issue.

LM also has more tools and a more mature "software center". LM has a well organized control panel and a custom menu for grub. LM9 boots fast that 10.04 on my machines using 7200rpm drive with 32mb cache.

Since Kmint9 is not out yet (Boo is still working on it and is almost done) I will compare Kmint8 vs 9.10



9.10 kubuntu crashed left and right on my desktop and laptop, had issues regulating my cpu, and a plethora of other flaws (which my bugs reports still have yet to be fixed).



Kmint8 had none of these; actually, I am typing this from my Kmint8 install right now.



Linux mint is merely a refined ubuntu. It's not "lighter" per say, but the Linux Mint team goes the extra step, and puts quality before release cycle dates, and actually listens to the community.



My personal opinion is Linux Mint is better than ubuntu. but Linux Mint would not exist without all the work canonical has done.