Linux Mint was one of the most unknown operating systems by the enthusiast community until he launched his desktop Cinnamon. This distribution is a derivative of Ubuntu, which in turn is a derivative of Debian. They share tools and applications that facilitate users’ work.
Being a Linux distribution, it turns out that there is high security and the risks of being attacked with malicious software are lower. It is fortunate to have one of the desktop environments most used by lovers of Linux.
We will show you how to do a complete installation from scratch with this operating system. What’s more, you will have access to the best alternatives in terms of free license operating systems. Finally, you will have the necessary requirements to install Linux Mint.
What is Linux Mint and what are the main features of this Linux distribution?
Linux Mint is free, open source, and receives Ubuntu applications, which means that it has an important base of solutions to facilitate the daily life of its users. They usually offer five years of support on every version they release It is currently on version 20, known by the name of “Ulyana”.
It has its own packages and has the packages that Ubuntu 20.04 LTS includes, which makes it a gem for Linux lovers:
- Linux Mint is compatible with systems on x86 (32-bit), x86_64 (64-bit), and Itanium IA-32.
- It has three main desks: Cinnamon, the most popular of them, Mate, where there is more customization, and Xfce, which has the environment with the least customization available, that’s how you work as a server.
- It has a version based on Debian. Although one is derived from the other, the people at Mint wanted to launch a proposal that is based directly on Debian and not Ubuntu, which did not turn out to be a success.
- Has an immense number of collaborators, almost the same number that Ubuntu has, based on the fact that they share applications.
- Their work environments have a smaller margin of error than the other distributions.
- Mint deleted all proprietary Ubuntu packages from its ecosystem, so you only find free and open source solutions.
What are the recommended requirements to install Linux Mint on my computer?
One thing is manage to install Mint on a low-end computer and another, very different, is make it flow seamlessly with all its functions.
For this reason, we leave you the recommended minimum qualities that a computer must have so that there are no failures in the operation of Mint:
- Processor 1 GHz
- 2 Gb of RAM.
- 20 Gb of storage on a hard drive.
- Minimum screen resolution 1024px x 768px.
You should know that you can install Mint with a 700 MHz processor and a memory RAM 1Gb, but with this hardware you won’t be able to do a lot of things when you log in.
Learn step by step how to install Linux Mint on your desktop or laptop from scratch
As with any other Linux distribution, the process is pretty straightforward. If you have done any Windows installation, you will see that the process is similar.
This is what you need to know to successfully install Linux Mint:
Before starting
You must know that you need the image (ISO) operating system on a CD, a large capacity USB stick or a portable hard drive, with which you can connect to your computer to boot. You must already have configured your computer to restart and take into account some of the mentioned devices. You should also know in which of the three Mint environments you want to work and you must have the IP of your computer at hand. Finally, it is advisable to have internet access.
Linux Mint installation
You must restart your PC as well the boot will start if you have done it correctly in the settings.
Then follow these steps:
- An initial window will appear, you must wait for the upload to finish.
- You must select a language for the installation.
Install programs alongside
You can have the option of install some components and packages that Mint needs to work. Only if you have a good internet connection via fiber or Wi-Fi, you can select the corresponding check box. Then, you must check the box “Something else”, when it asks you the type of installation you want to perform.
Disk partition
If you only have one hard drive, you should make a typical partition, as you would with any other Linux distribution:
- Choose “New partition table”.
- Press “Continue”.
- Partition will serve for data storage and for “Root”.
- You must ensure that there are two partitions, for that select the symbol “+” and you can add a second disk partition.
- During storage partition, in the section “Create partition”, you must specify the size (1 Gb), the type “Primary” and as a location “Beginning of this space”.
- Press “OKAY” for what boot partition.
- Now in partition “Root”, select the symbol “+”.
- Should not be resized, this is specified automatically by the computer.
- In partition type, Choose “Logical”.
- On location, you should leave “Beginning of this space”.
- Press “Ok” for save changes on this partition.
Continue Mint installation
When you are sure that the previous steps have been carried out correctly, then you can select the option “Install Now” and follow these steps:
- Press “Continue”.
- Select time zone where you are.
- Choose the language of your preference.
- Now, You must fill in the required form before you can continue with the installation. It only asks for some basic information.
- Let calmly conclude the installation process.
- You must select “Restart Now”.
Login
If you have reached this point, it means that everything has gone wonderfully and you must wait for the computer to start completely. When that happens, it will ask for username and password, which you had to enter during the installation process. If there are problems connecting to the internet in the installation, the wizard will ask you for the IP address that you should have on hand before starting these steps.
These are the best Linux distributions alternatives to Linux Mint that you should know
If you could already try Linux Mint and it did not convince you, then there are on Linux other distributions that may be better for your purpose as a developer, end user or company with several workstations to connect and increase productivity.
Consider this list of options if you want to migrate from Mint to another operating system:
Zorin.com
Like Min, this option is a variant of Ubuntu LTS, so it also has many improvements and features that you will see in various Linux operating systems.
His own desktop is even inspired by Cinnamon, so if you’re looking for something really different from Mint, this is not a good option:
- It is aimed at end users, which can be used at home for chores office automation.
- Has a modern interface, better than Ubuntu.
- It is easier to install than other distributions of Linux.
CentOS.org
This is one proposal based on Red Hat, so here you will find something different if you are one of the people who did not fall in love at first sight with Ubuntu.
It has a Gnome environment, so it also has a modern look and resembles Ubuntu in appearance:
- It is very simple to use since its main audience is the end users.
- Your installation assistant sometimes does not perform tasks correctly. Once the installation is finished, you have to manually correct some bugs.
OpenSUSE.org
It is a powerful free and open source system that seeks to gain ground in the world of giant companies. It offers interesting solutions for connecting countless workstations and connecting those workstations to large servers. There are two versions available: Tumbleweed and Salto.
- There are a greater number of applications to solve problems and needs.
- It is more complex to install than competitors, but it is not an impossible task.
- its installation and upgrade center it is more complex to understand.
Debian.org
Practically, is the king of operating systems in the Linux environment, because it is one of the oldest and at the same time it is one of the ones with the largest number of people collaborating to create friendly solution packages.
Debian has a powerful installation wizard:
- Your APT is powerful and easy to use, sends notifications to the user when there are important settings.
- It is aimed more at developers than end users.
- Your technical assistance It `s sometimes, A headache.
Manjaro.org
In short, it is one of the best and most attractive distributions that Linux has. This is noted by positive feedback on forums and help centers, because the request for assistance is minimal.
It is in constant development and its update cycle does not exceed 15 months:
- It is very simple to install. Even end users can.
- It has all Arch Linux tools.
- Its interface is intuitive and has spaces for companies and people.