Linux Mint 19 MATE and XFCE editions - Linux distro review

"The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use. Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people. Some of the reasons for the success of Linux Mint are:
It works out of the box, with full multimedia support and is extremely easy to use.
It's both free of cost and open source.
It's community-driven. Users are encouraged to send feedback to the project so that their ideas can be used to improve Linux Mint.

"Based on Debian and Ubuntu, it provides about 30,000 packages and one of the best software managers.
It's safe and reliable. Thanks to a conservative approach to software updates, a unique Update Manager and the robustness of its Linux architecture, Linux Mint requires very little maintenance (no regressions, no antivirus, no anti-spyware...etc)." From the Linux Mint website.

"The MATE Desktop Environment is the continuation of GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems." From the MATE desktop website.

"Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for UNIX-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and low on system resources, while still being visually appealing and user friendly." From the XFCE website.

[malysps]

I'm not a Mint user, but it really looks like a great choice for a new users switching from Windows and users who generally don't want to fiddle with the settings too much. Mint looks "ready" out of the box, and has pretty nice defaults. I always liked distros that are focused mainly on a desktop use. Long Term Support is something nice too. And as a Xfce fan, I appreciate the fact that they make their own spin with it.

[Ascendance]

Mint Y is a good theme but Mint Y Dark is where it's at

[TheBamaChad-WCHD]

I'm rather new to Linux and this video has been so extremely helpful. It has answered multiple questions I had about mint and it's cinnamon, mate and xfce flavors. Thanks!

[Zerorjcrystal]

Linux Mint MATE is the best!! Nicely designed apps almost always stable. I've installed and used it on so many laptops, never disappoints.

[NebRadojkovic]

It is in many ways one of the best Linux distribution out there.

[cyngaethlestan]

I last tried Linux in 2002 and was impressed but in the end went with XP due to the amount of good software I already had, (and the lack of software for Linux.) I never regretted it XP was and is first rate. However now I'm tempted to try again.
I remember that that it was quick and easy to change shell, (I think you just logged out and in again, ) so why do you now need to install a totally different version just to switch from KDE to Gnome shell?

[beardedgeek]

As for terminals: I prefer URXVT, but I have both it and Gnome Terminal installed on Gnome. Mainly because of redundancy but also simply because of the Right-Click "open termnal here" function in Gnome for it's own terminal.

[charliekahn]

I remember the first Linux machine I ever really customized. It came with GNOME 2, the standard terminal, and I think XTerm, it's beyond me why there was two terminal clients for one DE.

[charliekahn]

The one thing I'd want in a package-installation system is the ability to install from zip, just by extracting to an applications folder. I want it in Windows, and that carries over to Linux. Maybe a zip installer would be fine, or maybe it could work like WinFS beta, where a certain folder would send file directions to virtual folders.

[Ismael-iwtm]

Compiz and xfce - yes sir. Good reviewer my friend. 😎🇺🇸👏🏾👏🏾

[KurtKremitzki]

Nice, I like the idea of including both a package manager and software manager.

[LucianStanMedia]

everyone starts talking about linux mint in general and no one says anything about the differences between the 3 versions...

[egbertvandervliet]

Thank you, nice info. The only reason I do not install this Mint is because my Xubuntu 16.04 runs so fine. It is a very special time for the Linux Desktop.

[torspedia]

I'll always have a soft spot for Mint, as Cinnamon was the first DE I truly liked! Shame they dropped KDE though!!

[ninjanerdstudent]

I'm in the process of partitioning my netbook's hard drive and putting either Linux Mint Mate or Lubuntu on it. The other partition will keep the free Windows 10 Upgrade.

[audiovisualproof]

HA! I finally figured out why any Linux Distro, I tried installing, did NOT recognize Windows 10! Turns out I had to adjust some settings in my Bios: (Sata Mode Selection = AHCI) (Boot Mode Select = UEFI with CSM) (Secure Boot = Disabled). Just because I post comments asking for help, DON'T THINK FOR A MINUTE THAT I'M ACTUALLY SITTING ON MY ASS WAITING FOR AN ANSWER! Well I am waiting for an answer BUT in the meanwhile, I'm still attempting to figure it out on my own! Figuring things out for myself is the best feeling in the world especially since I'm not an advanced Techie! Well not yet, at least! lol ^_^

[reeyetteham]

I just finished installing Linux Mint 19 with the XFCE desktop. From my experience, there are a few flaws I encountered, but was able to fix along the way. First off, the DSL/PPPOE on the network connection is missing the Ethernet tab which should contain the Device MAC address. Without it, the system will not recognize it as an existing device connection. I was able to get an internet connection going by using the pppoeconf pkg in the command line. A word of advice and that is to do an apt-mark hold on pppoeconf and stick with the 1.21 version. The newer version that the Update Manager detects and wants to install will break your internet connections and you will wind-up having to uninstall and reinstall it again to get it working. Also the newest hplip version 3.18.6 is incompatible with the python version that comes with Linux Mint 19. I was able to also get around that by using version 3.17.10. I still love using it, but it still needs to be refined and I'm sure with later releases, these issues should be fixed.

[audiovisualproof]

Glad I found this video. I'm using Linux Mint 19 right now via a USB drive. Still haven't decided to install it alongside Windows 10. One reason is, I tried to install Zorin 12.4 Core and it did not recognize my Windows 10 OS stating, "No other operating systems have been detected on this machine.", and gave me an only option to format my drive and install Zorin. I DID NOT by the way! lol. I like the feel of Linux and want to learn as much about it as possible but I do not want to get rid of Windows 10 for gaming purposes and video editing software and uploading to Twitch and maybe YouTube again. SO HERE ARE 6 QUESTIONS I HOPE CAN BE ADDRESSED. ^_^

1. Do I need to partition my C:\ Drive first with the required amount of hard drive space to successfully install Linux. Linux usually states 4.5 GB of hard drive space is needed but I plan on allocating around 20GB seeing as I have 72GB of free space. Any advice on how much space to allocate is appreciated.

2. I am using my Samsung TV with HDMI. What setting do I need to look for to switch between monitors?

3. How come Linux Mint 19 isn't recognizing my two SSD Drives but recognizes my detachable drives? Is it because I haven't installed Linux fully?

4. How effective is WINE at running Windows 10 apps? I have an MSI GT80s gaming laptop and software such as Dragon Gaming Center, Silent Option fan control, MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner are important decision makers when switching bteween OS'es.

5. Will Linux be compatible with Nvidia graphic drivers? I will have to do some research to find out if Nvidia makes compatible graphic drivers for Linux.

6. If WINE works acceptably well with Windows 10 software, will I need to keep starting WINE each time or is there some sort of auto load function? That would be great! THANKS FOR ANY AND ALL ASSISTANCE! ^_^

[galfredo]

I switched my old laptop from window 10 to Mint 19.3 xfce. I'm very happy it runs smooth and fast. My old laptop was build for windows vista and moved over window 7. As soon as I move to win10 it killed my laptop. I install mint and wow work great...

[Popvraget]

Thank you for the reviews of linux mint 19.0. I have tried to install the cinnamon and Mate in a virtual mashine, and was a little disappointed by mint 19.0 cinnamon. Everything looks fine with the default desktop, but as soon as i choose controls from the mint dark themes, i noticed that the menus of file manager and mint update where in one long line without space between the different menu points like this FileseditViewGoBookmarksHelp. The letters where also slightly smaller. As soon as i use the "normal" controls the spaces between the different menu points came back. In Mate there was no difference between the light and black theme. Since i had an idea to install cinnamon edition, now i am not sure. You mentioned you like to make a video to show the differences between the Ubuntu Mate and the mint Mate. I think that would be a very inyeresting one. I use mint Mate 18.3, and would be very interested in your findings. Thank you so much for the videos, i have learned a lot.