{"slug": "linux-mint", "name": "Linux Mint", "category": "os", "category_name": "Operating systems and desktop", "description": "Ubuntu-based desktop Linux distribution with the Cinnamon, Xfce and MATE desktops.", "recommenders": 32, "commenters": 40, "warners": 1, "score": 29.574, "rising": 4.8, "first": "2025-11-03", "latest": "2026-10-16", "why": "HN commenters recommend it as an easy switch from Windows with a familiar Cinnamon desktop, a system that just works and stays stable for years, and a good fit for older hardware and non-technical family members.", "why_is_quote": false, "has_verdict": true, "sentiment": {"recommend": 35, "neutral": 8, "compare": 1, "warn": 1}, "spark": [5, 1, 9, 0, 0, 2, 0, 4, 2, 3, 7, 2], "listed": true, "loved": ["Windows switching", "Just works"], "caveat": "Hardware drivers", "short_quote": "Best of two worlds - stable foundation of Debian, easy-to-use interface of Mint. I have been using it for about 2 years now, very happy with it.", "icon": true, "domain": "linuxmint.com", "github_repo": null, "official_url": "https://linuxmint.com/", "pricing": "open source", "aliases": ["Linux Mint", "Linux Mint Debian Edition"], "verdict": [{"text": "HN commenters recommend it as an easy switch from Windows with a familiar Cinnamon desktop", "cites": [{"id": 791667904, "item_id": 49479244, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49479244", "by": "Tallain", "date": "2026-08-28", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I switched to Mint and never looked back. It's one of the easiest transitions IMO", "excerpt": "I switched to Mint and never looked back. It's one of the easiest transitions IMO, and if you really miss Windows, you can bring the aesthetic with you: https://cinnamon-spices.linuxmint.com/themes/view/Chicago95", "context": "", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "Get your Windows license refund"}, {"id": 787842272, "item_id": 49240142, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49240142", "by": "raxxorraxor", "date": "2026-08-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "For the Windows look and feel, I recommend Mint + Cinnamon.", "excerpt": "For the Windows look and feel, I recommend Mint + Cinnamon. It took me about 15min to not miss anything on Windows and was shocked how I had forgotten how clean a system can be. Mandatory Windows accounts can still be circumvented with a console command for Win 11 installations, but the overall enshitification package just got worse and worse. Cinnamon is X11, but it works very well.", "context": "", "use_case": "Windows replacement desktop", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "Windows 11's built-in Weather app wastes more than 1 GB of RAM"}, {"id": 786354528, "item_id": 49147158, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49147158", "by": "ozhero", "date": "2026-08-02", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I'm a huge fan of Linux Mint, especially for people migrating from Windows.", "excerpt": "I use Windows 11, Linux and MacOS on a daily basis and don't have any axes to grind on which one I think is best. For older hardware that won't run Windows 11, I'm a huge fan of Linux Mint, especially for people migrating from Windows.", "context": "uses Windows 11, Linux and MacOS daily", "use_case": "older hardware, Windows migrants", "switched_from": "", "story": "Linux Desktop Market Share Surpasses 10% in North America"}, {"id": 797429008, "item_id": 49839313, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49839313", "by": "lightchaser08", "date": "2026-09-25", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "If you want something similar to Windows but a bit simpler then I would recommend Mint.", "excerpt": "Depends what you need it for. If you want something similar to Windows but a bit simpler then I would recommend Mint. If you\u2019re a bit braver and don\u2019t mind setting up the media codecs yourself then I recommend Fedora Share your machine\u2019s specs and if it\u2019s got NVIDIA and someone on here might be able to give you a more precise answer", "context": "", "use_case": "Windows-like desktop", "switched_from": "", "story": "What OS should I pick?"}]}, {"text": ", a system that just works and stays stable for years", "cites": [{"id": 801869632, "item_id": 50116852, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50116852", "by": "ghoul2", "date": "2026-10-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Linux Mint - just works. And has been for a long long time.", "excerpt": "I searched around when ubuntu did that 'unity' switch a LONG time ago, found Mint, and have been on it all this time. The team has repeatedly showed themselves to be calm, sober, sensible decision makers - I still use mint the same way I started. They are not prone to fits of 'redo everything', force this, snappify everything, simplify everything so that nothing can be done. Version to version, things just keep getti", "context": "Linux user for 30+ years", "use_case": "daily driver desktop", "switched_from": "Ubuntu", "story": "Ubuntu 26.10 (Stonking Stingray) released"}, {"id": 797026336, "item_id": 49814146, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49814146", "by": "hobo123", "date": "2026-09-23", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I just love how the Linux gets out of the way, everything just works", "excerpt": "That's why I use Linux Mint, even if some Linux guys might think less of me. Switched from Windows 11. My work system is a Mac. I just love how the Linux gets out of the way, everything just works, UI much better and consistent than Windows. And I'll probably keep receiving security fixes and app improvements in 10 years for my old Thinkpad.", "context": "uses a Mac at work, old Thinkpad at home", "use_case": "daily desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows 11", "story": "I said no and Apple said yes"}, {"id": 747362352, "item_id": 46710147, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46710147", "by": "elseleigh", "date": "2026-01-21", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've been running Linux Mint exclusively as a daily driver for fourteen years.", "excerpt": "I've been running Linux Mint exclusively as a daily driver for fourteen years. The software company I started used it for everything from development to marketing to accounts. We had zero issues, and security audits always gave a clean bill of health. Full disc encryption is now just a checkbox away when installing your distro of choice. Sticking to verified software is best practice.", "context": "software company founder", "use_case": "daily driver for development and business", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: Is Linux Safe to Daily drive in 2026?"}]}, {"text": ", and a good fit for older hardware and non-technical family members.", "cites": [{"id": 786354528, "item_id": 49147158, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49147158", "by": "ozhero", "date": "2026-08-02", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I'm a huge fan of Linux Mint, especially for people migrating from Windows.", "excerpt": "I use Windows 11, Linux and MacOS on a daily basis and don't have any axes to grind on which one I think is best. For older hardware that won't run Windows 11, I'm a huge fan of Linux Mint, especially for people migrating from Windows.", "context": "uses Windows 11, Linux and MacOS daily", "use_case": "older hardware, Windows migrants", "switched_from": "", "story": "Linux Desktop Market Share Surpasses 10% in North America"}, {"id": 745099360, "item_id": 46568710, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46568710", "by": "surgical_fire", "date": "2026-01-10", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I love Mint.", "excerpt": "Mint because I am a filthy casual. I love Mint. It has been smooth sailing for the past 4 years running it on a 2019 Dell X5. Part of why I lack any motivation to get a new machine is because it still runs very smooth with Mint. I plan on getting a new machine in the near future. Then I'll use my old Dell as a testing ground for other Distros. Was thinking of testing Tumbleweed first.", "context": "self-described casual user, 4 years on a 2019 Dell", "use_case": "daily desktop OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "I replaced Windows with Linux and everything's going great"}, {"id": 763404208, "item_id": 47712763, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47712763", "by": "QuadrupleA", "date": "2026-04-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I walked a mostly non-technical family member through Linux Mint (Cinnamon) installation over the phone about a month ago and she's been happy with it.", "excerpt": "Linux awaits! I walked a mostly non-technical family member through Linux Mint (Cinnamon) installation over the phone about a month ago and she's been happy with it. I've been very pleased with Arch and LXQt, as a developer - switched from Windows about a year ago and I think I've booted it about three times and 10 minutes total. Freedom from abusive, dishonest tech companies is becoming more and more possible. Huge ", "context": "developer", "use_case": "OS for non-technical family member", "switched_from": "", "story": "How Microsoft Abuses Its Users"}, {"id": 793800673, "item_id": 49612542, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49612542", "by": "p2detar", "date": "2026-09-08", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I replaced their Windows with Linux Mint.", "excerpt": "I don't buy the AI argument. I'd bet on Linux replacing Windows for a good chunk of desktop users. For example, I installed LibreOffice on my parents' PC last month, because I replaced their Windows with Linux Mint.", "context": "", "use_case": "parents' desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "LibreOffice breaks download records after declaring it has no AI features"}]}, {"text": " The most common caveat is hardware and driver trouble, especially with Wi-Fi and Nvidia", "cites": [{"id": 751192208, "item_id": 46949513, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46949513", "by": "pipes", "date": "2026-02-09", "stance": "warn", "quote": "I'm on mint Linux, Nvidia 1660 super, tp link usb WiFi.", "excerpt": "This is an odd coincidence, I went back to Linux recently because win 11 driving me nuts. Unfortunately I've got two problems that just seem unsolvable. Unstable wifi network connection and temporary image retention if I use variable refresh rate. I'm on mint Linux, Nvidia 1660 super, tp link usb WiFi. Other users reporting the same. Back in 2010 on another pc I had the same issues with WiFi on mint. I don't have the", "context": "returned to Linux, has WiFi and display issues", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows 11", "story": "I went back to Linux and it was a mistake"}, {"id": 795290272, "item_id": 49705642, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49705642", "by": "josephg", "date": "2026-09-14", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use Linux mint on my desktop. Wifi just works.", "excerpt": "Is it? I use Linux mint on my desktop. Wifi just works. I\u2019m using some X870 motherboard. I got the motherboard when it was really new, and I think it took a few months before wifi worked properly in mint out of the box. (I use Ethernet anyway so it wasn\u2019t too upsetting). But after a few months, they had it all sorted. I have never manually compiled a kernel or wifi drivers or anything on this machine. I suspect most ", "context": "Linux desktop user", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Microsoft patches Windows and Excel \u2013 breaks audio, remote access, and paste"}, {"id": 743171522, "item_id": 46448220, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46448220", "by": "leptons", "date": "2025-12-31", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "And I've switched to Linux Mint for all my systems except my laptop", "excerpt": "The only thing keeps Windows 11 usable for me are these two mods.. https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher https://github.com/open-shell/open-shell-menu/ They bring back the context menu and the old task bar, as well as the old start menu. It's like I never left Windows 10. And I've switched to Linux Mint for all my systems except my laptop, which still has some hardware limitations under Linux.", "context": "", "use_case": "daily OS", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "2025 was a disaster for Windows 11"}]}, {"text": ", and some games are still unsupported or unstable.", "cites": [{"id": 743642017, "item_id": 46477626, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46477626", "by": "neogodless", "date": "2026-01-03", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "fractional scaling was broken under Cinnamon, and Brightness controls were broken under KDE", "excerpt": "I believe this was Dec. 2023 through Feb. 2024 (I should add dates to my little \"blog\"...): https://www.retorch.com/blog/linux-mint.htm If I remember, Linux Mint was on kernel 5.15 at the time. The TL;DR is that fractional scaling was broken under Cinnamon, and Brightness controls were broken under KDE. Most gaming was good, but a brand new game (Hogwart's Legacy) had major issues, including crashing and vastly worse", "context": "", "use_case": "trial desktop", "switched_from": "", "story": "2026 will be my year of the Linux desktop"}, {"id": 735105856, "item_id": 45944116, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45944116", "by": "Surac", "date": "2025-11-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use Mint and use steam to play my games just fine.", "excerpt": "Kudos to the author. I also will not buy a steam Box. But i appreciate the effect it will have on gaming and Linux. I use Mint and use steam to play my games just fine. For some games it is a little bit shaky. Game company\u2019s now have a incentive to make gaming just feel right on a Linux machine much more than like the switch deck. Just my thinking of course", "context": "", "use_case": "gaming", "switched_from": "", "story": "I don\u2019t need a Steam Machine"}, {"id": 777480416, "item_id": 48592526, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48592526", "by": "malbs", "date": "2026-06-18", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I switched to Linux Mint, and I haven't switched back.", "excerpt": "Agreed. 2026 was the year. The degradation of win 11 , forced win accounts everywhere. I switched to Linux Mint, and I haven't switched back. Missing out on a few random games that aren't supported yet, I decided it was time to get rid of windows on my desktop. I do have one windows machine still, and thats my simrig, this is a purpose built computer+rig specifically for iRacing and iRacing have said that they won't ", "context": "keeps one Windows machine for iRacing sim rig", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows 11", "story": "Microsoft new Outlook takes 10 seconds to do what Outlook Classic does instantly"}]}], "praise": [{"label": "Windows switching", "summary": "Commenters say it is one of the easiest moves from Windows, with a familiar Windows-like layout.", "quotes": [{"id": 791667904, "item_id": 49479244, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49479244", "by": "Tallain", "date": "2026-08-28", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I switched to Mint and never looked back. It's one of the easiest transitions IMO", "excerpt": "I switched to Mint and never looked back. It's one of the easiest transitions IMO, and if you really miss Windows, you can bring the aesthetic with you: https://cinnamon-spices.linuxmint.com/themes/view/Chicago95", "context": "", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "Get your Windows license refund"}, {"id": 787842272, "item_id": 49240142, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49240142", "by": "raxxorraxor", "date": "2026-08-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "For the Windows look and feel, I recommend Mint + Cinnamon.", "excerpt": "For the Windows look and feel, I recommend Mint + Cinnamon. It took me about 15min to not miss anything on Windows and was shocked how I had forgotten how clean a system can be. Mandatory Windows accounts can still be circumvented with a console command for Win 11 installations, but the overall enshitification package just got worse and worse. Cinnamon is X11, but it works very well.", "context": "", "use_case": "Windows replacement desktop", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "Windows 11's built-in Weather app wastes more than 1 GB of RAM"}, {"id": 786354528, "item_id": 49147158, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49147158", "by": "ozhero", "date": "2026-08-02", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I'm a huge fan of Linux Mint, especially for people migrating from Windows.", "excerpt": "I use Windows 11, Linux and MacOS on a daily basis and don't have any axes to grind on which one I think is best. For older hardware that won't run Windows 11, I'm a huge fan of Linux Mint, especially for people migrating from Windows.", "context": "uses Windows 11, Linux and MacOS daily", "use_case": "older hardware, Windows migrants", "switched_from": "", "story": "Linux Desktop Market Share Surpasses 10% in North America"}]}, {"label": "Just works", "summary": "Users describe it as stable and low-hassle, with years-long use as a daily driver.", "quotes": [{"id": 801869632, "item_id": 50116852, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50116852", "by": "ghoul2", "date": "2026-10-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Linux Mint - just works. And has been for a long long time.", "excerpt": "I searched around when ubuntu did that 'unity' switch a LONG time ago, found Mint, and have been on it all this time. The team has repeatedly showed themselves to be calm, sober, sensible decision makers - I still use mint the same way I started. They are not prone to fits of 'redo everything', force this, snappify everything, simplify everything so that nothing can be done. Version to version, things just keep getti", "context": "Linux user for 30+ years", "use_case": "daily driver desktop", "switched_from": "Ubuntu", "story": "Ubuntu 26.10 (Stonking Stingray) released"}, {"id": 797026336, "item_id": 49814146, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49814146", "by": "hobo123", "date": "2026-09-23", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I just love how the Linux gets out of the way, everything just works", "excerpt": "That's why I use Linux Mint, even if some Linux guys might think less of me. Switched from Windows 11. My work system is a Mac. I just love how the Linux gets out of the way, everything just works, UI much better and consistent than Windows. And I'll probably keep receiving security fixes and app improvements in 10 years for my old Thinkpad.", "context": "uses a Mac at work, old Thinkpad at home", "use_case": "daily desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows 11", "story": "I said no and Apple said yes"}, {"id": 747362352, "item_id": 46710147, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46710147", "by": "elseleigh", "date": "2026-01-21", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've been running Linux Mint exclusively as a daily driver for fourteen years.", "excerpt": "I've been running Linux Mint exclusively as a daily driver for fourteen years. The software company I started used it for everything from development to marketing to accounts. We had zero issues, and security audits always gave a clean bill of health. Full disc encryption is now just a checkbox away when installing your distro of choice. Sticking to verified software is best practice.", "context": "software company founder", "use_case": "daily driver for development and business", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: Is Linux Safe to Daily drive in 2026?"}]}, {"label": "Older hardware", "summary": "It runs well on older laptops and PCs, including old MacBooks and Dells.", "quotes": [{"id": 745099360, "item_id": 46568710, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46568710", "by": "surgical_fire", "date": "2026-01-10", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I love Mint.", "excerpt": "Mint because I am a filthy casual. I love Mint. It has been smooth sailing for the past 4 years running it on a 2019 Dell X5. Part of why I lack any motivation to get a new machine is because it still runs very smooth with Mint. I plan on getting a new machine in the near future. Then I'll use my old Dell as a testing ground for other Distros. Was thinking of testing Tumbleweed first.", "context": "self-described casual user, 4 years on a 2019 Dell", "use_case": "daily desktop OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "I replaced Windows with Linux and everything's going great"}, {"id": 734876832, "item_id": 45929802, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45929802", "by": "jamesgill", "date": "2025-11-14", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "running Linux Mint. It only has a few apps. Beautiful machine, works perfectly.", "excerpt": "My 'writer deck' is an old 11\" 2014 Macbook Air with no wifi enabled, running Linux Mint. It only has a few apps. Beautiful machine, works perfectly. I paid $35 for it. And by 'no wifi enabled', I mean it's not enabled in the OS, so I can't even be tempted to turn it on. When I need to sync files/update, I have a USB ethernet dongle. I love refurbishing old Macbooks/ThinkPads, and I always tell people just buy one, c", "context": "", "use_case": "distraction-free writing machine", "switched_from": "", "story": "Writerdeck.org"}, {"id": 743341537, "item_id": 46458846, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46458846", "by": "hodgehog11", "date": "2026-01-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "put Mint on the Macbook and it seems to run very well", "excerpt": "Not the OP, but I have a 2015 Macbook Pro and a desktop PC both running Linux. I love Fedora, so that's on the desktop, but I followed online recommendations to put Mint on the Macbook and it seems to run very well. However, I did need to install mbpfan (https://github.com/linux-on-mac/mbpfan) to get more sane power options and this package (https://github.com/patjak/facetimehd) to get the camera working. It runs bet", "context": "runs Linux on a 2015 Macbook Pro and a desktop PC", "use_case": "OS on 2015 Macbook Pro", "switched_from": "macOS", "story": "Linux is good now; to feel like you actually own your PC, put Linux on it"}]}, {"label": "Non-technical users", "summary": "Commenters installed it for parents, family members and kids, who are reported to be happy with it.", "quotes": [{"id": 763404208, "item_id": 47712763, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47712763", "by": "QuadrupleA", "date": "2026-04-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I walked a mostly non-technical family member through Linux Mint (Cinnamon) installation over the phone about a month ago and she's been happy with it.", "excerpt": "Linux awaits! I walked a mostly non-technical family member through Linux Mint (Cinnamon) installation over the phone about a month ago and she's been happy with it. I've been very pleased with Arch and LXQt, as a developer - switched from Windows about a year ago and I think I've booted it about three times and 10 minutes total. Freedom from abusive, dishonest tech companies is becoming more and more possible. Huge ", "context": "developer", "use_case": "OS for non-technical family member", "switched_from": "", "story": "How Microsoft Abuses Its Users"}, {"id": 793800673, "item_id": 49612542, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49612542", "by": "p2detar", "date": "2026-09-08", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I replaced their Windows with Linux Mint.", "excerpt": "I don't buy the AI argument. I'd bet on Linux replacing Windows for a good chunk of desktop users. For example, I installed LibreOffice on my parents' PC last month, because I replaced their Windows with Linux Mint.", "context": "", "use_case": "parents' desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "LibreOffice breaks download records after declaring it has no AI features"}, {"id": 744278528, "item_id": 46517408, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46517408", "by": "Desafinado", "date": "2026-01-06", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I converted my Windows PC to Linux Mint and let my kids play GCompris on there", "excerpt": "I converted my Windows PC to Linux Mint and let my kids play GCompris on there, which is an educational, non-addictive game suite. As of now neither of them know that the internet exists, and my wife and I keep them away from screens as much as possible. Once the flood breaks and they discover the internet we'll be using NextDNS.", "context": "parent", "use_case": "kids' computer", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "Ask HN: What kind of setup do you run for your children?"}]}, {"label": "Easy install", "summary": "Installation is described as straightforward, even easier than Windows.", "quotes": [{"id": 745263696, "item_id": 46578981, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46578981", "by": "raziel2701", "date": "2026-01-11", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Mint definitely is easier to install than windows, hands down", "excerpt": "I bought a thinkpad X1 carbon refurbished for about ~$300. I wanted to travel abroad with a laptop I wouldn't mind getting stolen if it happened. During the installation of Win11 it asked me to create a microsoft account, fuck that. I installed linux mint. Very nice experience overall, so nice to not get assaulted by ads in the start menu. Pleased to see the nightlight functionality (I googled f.lux for linux and tha", "context": "", "use_case": "laptop for youtube and movies", "switched_from": "Windows 11", "story": "I dumped Windows 11 for Linux, and you should too"}, {"id": 763404208, "item_id": 47712763, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47712763", "by": "QuadrupleA", "date": "2026-04-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I walked a mostly non-technical family member through Linux Mint (Cinnamon) installation over the phone about a month ago and she's been happy with it.", "excerpt": "Linux awaits! I walked a mostly non-technical family member through Linux Mint (Cinnamon) installation over the phone about a month ago and she's been happy with it. I've been very pleased with Arch and LXQt, as a developer - switched from Windows about a year ago and I think I've booted it about three times and 10 minutes total. Freedom from abusive, dishonest tech companies is becoming more and more possible. Huge ", "context": "developer", "use_case": "OS for non-technical family member", "switched_from": "", "story": "How Microsoft Abuses Its Users"}]}, {"label": "Careful development", "summary": "The team is praised for incremental improvements without disruptive redesigns.", "quotes": [{"id": 801869632, "item_id": 50116852, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50116852", "by": "ghoul2", "date": "2026-10-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Linux Mint - just works. And has been for a long long time.", "excerpt": "I searched around when ubuntu did that 'unity' switch a LONG time ago, found Mint, and have been on it all this time. The team has repeatedly showed themselves to be calm, sober, sensible decision makers - I still use mint the same way I started. They are not prone to fits of 'redo everything', force this, snappify everything, simplify everything so that nothing can be done. Version to version, things just keep getti", "context": "Linux user for 30+ years", "use_case": "daily driver desktop", "switched_from": "Ubuntu", "story": "Ubuntu 26.10 (Stonking Stingray) released"}]}], "caveats": [{"label": "Hardware drivers", "summary": "Some users report Wi-Fi, Nvidia driver and laptop hardware problems.", "quotes": [{"id": 751192208, "item_id": 46949513, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46949513", "by": "pipes", "date": "2026-02-09", "stance": "warn", "quote": "I'm on mint Linux, Nvidia 1660 super, tp link usb WiFi.", "excerpt": "This is an odd coincidence, I went back to Linux recently because win 11 driving me nuts. Unfortunately I've got two problems that just seem unsolvable. Unstable wifi network connection and temporary image retention if I use variable refresh rate. I'm on mint Linux, Nvidia 1660 super, tp link usb WiFi. Other users reporting the same. Back in 2010 on another pc I had the same issues with WiFi on mint. I don't have the", "context": "returned to Linux, has WiFi and display issues", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows 11", "story": "I went back to Linux and it was a mistake"}, {"id": 795290272, "item_id": 49705642, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49705642", "by": "josephg", "date": "2026-09-14", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use Linux mint on my desktop. Wifi just works.", "excerpt": "Is it? I use Linux mint on my desktop. Wifi just works. I\u2019m using some X870 motherboard. I got the motherboard when it was really new, and I think it took a few months before wifi worked properly in mint out of the box. (I use Ethernet anyway so it wasn\u2019t too upsetting). But after a few months, they had it all sorted. I have never manually compiled a kernel or wifi drivers or anything on this machine. I suspect most ", "context": "Linux desktop user", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Microsoft patches Windows and Excel \u2013 breaks audio, remote access, and paste"}, {"id": 743171522, "item_id": 46448220, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46448220", "by": "leptons", "date": "2025-12-31", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "And I've switched to Linux Mint for all my systems except my laptop", "excerpt": "The only thing keeps Windows 11 usable for me are these two mods.. https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher https://github.com/open-shell/open-shell-menu/ They bring back the context menu and the old task bar, as well as the old start menu. It's like I never left Windows 10. And I've switched to Linux Mint for all my systems except my laptop, which still has some hardware limitations under Linux.", "context": "", "use_case": "daily OS", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "2025 was a disaster for Windows 11"}]}, {"label": "Gaming gaps", "summary": "Some games run poorly, crash or are not supported.", "quotes": [{"id": 743642017, "item_id": 46477626, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46477626", "by": "neogodless", "date": "2026-01-03", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "fractional scaling was broken under Cinnamon, and Brightness controls were broken under KDE", "excerpt": "I believe this was Dec. 2023 through Feb. 2024 (I should add dates to my little \"blog\"...): https://www.retorch.com/blog/linux-mint.htm If I remember, Linux Mint was on kernel 5.15 at the time. The TL;DR is that fractional scaling was broken under Cinnamon, and Brightness controls were broken under KDE. Most gaming was good, but a brand new game (Hogwart's Legacy) had major issues, including crashing and vastly worse", "context": "", "use_case": "trial desktop", "switched_from": "", "story": "2026 will be my year of the Linux desktop"}, {"id": 735105856, "item_id": 45944116, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45944116", "by": "Surac", "date": "2025-11-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use Mint and use steam to play my games just fine.", "excerpt": "Kudos to the author. I also will not buy a steam Box. But i appreciate the effect it will have on gaming and Linux. I use Mint and use steam to play my games just fine. For some games it is a little bit shaky. Game company\u2019s now have a incentive to make gaming just feel right on a Linux machine much more than like the switch deck. Just my thinking of course", "context": "", "use_case": "gaming", "switched_from": "", "story": "I don\u2019t need a Steam Machine"}, {"id": 777480416, "item_id": 48592526, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48592526", "by": "malbs", "date": "2026-06-18", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I switched to Linux Mint, and I haven't switched back.", "excerpt": "Agreed. 2026 was the year. The degradation of win 11 , forced win accounts everywhere. I switched to Linux Mint, and I haven't switched back. Missing out on a few random games that aren't supported yet, I decided it was time to get rid of windows on my desktop. I do have one windows machine still, and thats my simrig, this is a purpose built computer+rig specifically for iRacing and iRacing have said that they won't ", "context": "keeps one Windows machine for iRacing sim rig", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows 11", "story": "Microsoft new Outlook takes 10 seconds to do what Outlook Classic does instantly"}]}, {"label": "Display scaling", "summary": "One user found fractional scaling broken under Cinnamon.", "quotes": [{"id": 743642017, "item_id": 46477626, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46477626", "by": "neogodless", "date": "2026-01-03", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "fractional scaling was broken under Cinnamon, and Brightness controls were broken under KDE", "excerpt": "I believe this was Dec. 2023 through Feb. 2024 (I should add dates to my little \"blog\"...): https://www.retorch.com/blog/linux-mint.htm If I remember, Linux Mint was on kernel 5.15 at the time. The TL;DR is that fractional scaling was broken under Cinnamon, and Brightness controls were broken under KDE. Most gaming was good, but a brand new game (Hogwart's Legacy) had major issues, including crashing and vastly worse", "context": "", "use_case": "trial desktop", "switched_from": "", "story": "2026 will be my year of the Linux desktop"}]}, {"label": "Mac tweaking", "summary": "Running it on an old MacBook needed extra packages and power tweaks.", "quotes": [{"id": 743341537, "item_id": 46458846, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46458846", "by": "hodgehog11", "date": "2026-01-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "put Mint on the Macbook and it seems to run very well", "excerpt": "Not the OP, but I have a 2015 Macbook Pro and a desktop PC both running Linux. I love Fedora, so that's on the desktop, but I followed online recommendations to put Mint on the Macbook and it seems to run very well. However, I did need to install mbpfan (https://github.com/linux-on-mac/mbpfan) to get more sane power options and this package (https://github.com/patjak/facetimehd) to get the camera working. It runs bet", "context": "runs Linux on a 2015 Macbook Pro and a desktop PC", "use_case": "OS on 2015 Macbook Pro", "switched_from": "macOS", "story": "Linux is good now; to feel like you actually own your PC, put Linux on it"}]}, {"label": "Limited tweakability", "summary": "It is described as not the best choice for users who want more power and tweaking.", "quotes": [{"id": 784471857, "item_id": 49029491, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49029491", "by": "ColdStream", "date": "2026-07-23", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "on other machines, I just run Mint. It is just a nice and comfortable thing.", "excerpt": "Depending on the machine I use. My laptop is one of the few machines that can run entirely on open source from Firmware, drivers all the way to the top. Thus I run Trisquel. Definitely not for everyone. But on other machines, I just run Mint. It is just a nice and comfortable thing. The base Cinnamon desktop is basically just Windows 7 locked in place with a few quality of life improvements. Not too ambitious but tha", "context": "", "use_case": "daily driver OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What Linux distro do you daily drive?"}]}, {"label": "Dual-boot detection", "summary": "One user said the installer did not detect an existing Windows install.", "quotes": [{"id": 748745537, "item_id": 46796596, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46796596", "by": "Markoff", "date": "2026-01-28", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "everything works fine (unlike Zorin, which had problem with sound I think)", "excerpt": "My experience is more like: \"I'll switch when Linux supports X.\" Linux still doesn't supports X. \"Okay, but how about my X?\" Linux still doesn't supports X. \"Well, X is still missing...\" Trados Studio, good luck finding equivalent, I tried, and the alternatives are horrendous and I'm not gonna run it in VM. Also I tried at least for son on his old computer live distro Mint from USB drive, everything works fine (unlik", "context": "translator on Windows", "use_case": "family laptops", "switched_from": "", "story": "Microsoft forced me to switch to Linux"}]}], "who": [{"by": "ghoul2", "context": "Linux user for 30+ years", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50116852", "date": "2026-10-16"}, {"by": "hobo123", "context": "uses a Mac at work, old Thinkpad at home", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49814146", "date": "2026-09-23"}, {"by": "josephg", "context": "Linux desktop user", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49705642", "date": "2026-09-14"}, {"by": "ozhero", "context": "uses Windows 11, Linux and MacOS daily", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49147158", "date": "2026-08-02"}, {"by": "dv35z", "context": "teaches technology; used Linux for 20+ years", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49030649", "date": "2026-07-23"}, {"by": "ProllyInfamous", "context": "runs Linux on Mac Pro 4,1", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48703556", "date": "2026-06-27"}, {"by": "malbs", "context": "keeps one Windows machine for iRacing sim rig", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48592526", "date": "2026-06-18"}, {"by": "palata", "context": "Linux user for 15 years", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48532700", "date": "2026-06-14"}, {"by": "QuadrupleA", "context": "developer", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47712763", "date": "2026-04-09"}, {"by": "Markoff", "context": "translator on Windows", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46796596", "date": "2026-01-28"}, {"by": "elseleigh", "context": "software company founder", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46710147", "date": "2026-01-21"}, {"by": "surgical_fire", "context": "self-described casual user, 4 years on a 2019 Dell", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46568710", "date": "2026-01-10"}], "tags": ["for Windows switchers", "for older hardware", "for non-technical users", "for kids and families", "for daily drivers"], "use_cases": ["desktop os", "daily driver desktop", "daily desktop os", "daily desktop", "daily os", "daily driver"], "compared": [{"slug": "windows", "name": "Windows", "co": 10, "switched_from": 9, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "windows-11", "name": "Windows 11", "co": 8, "switched_from": 5, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "ubuntu", "name": "Ubuntu", "co": 9, "switched_from": 1, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "debian", "name": "Debian", "co": 7, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "arch-linux", "name": "Arch Linux", "co": 3, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 1}, {"slug": "cachyos", "name": "CachyOS", "co": 1, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 1}, {"slug": "fedora", "name": "Fedora", "co": 3, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "opensuse-tumbleweed", "name": "openSUSE Tumbleweed", "co": 1, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 1}], "makers": [], "threads": [{"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49029345", "title": "Ask HN: What Linux distro do you daily drive?", "mentions": 3}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50102423", "title": "Ubuntu 26.10 (Stonking Stingray) released", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46795864", "title": "Microsoft forced me to switch to Linux", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46513089", "title": "Ask HN: What kind of setup do you run for your children?", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46471199", "title": "2026 will be my year of the Linux desktop", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46457770", "title": "Linux is good now; to feel like you actually own your PC, put Linux on it", "mentions": 2}], "sentiment_by_month": {"2025-11": {"recommend": 5}, "2025-12": {"compare": 1, "recommend": 1}, "2026-01": {"recommend": 9, "neutral": 3}, "2026-02": {"warn": 1}, "2026-03": {"neutral": 2}, "2026-04": {"recommend": 2}, "2026-05": {}, "2026-06": {"recommend": 4, "neutral": 2}, "2026-07": {"recommend": 2, "neutral": 1}, "2026-08": {"recommend": 3}, "2026-09": {"recommend": 7}, "2026-10": {"recommend": 2}}, "quotes": [{"id": 801869632, "item_id": 50116852, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50116852", "by": "ghoul2", "date": "2026-10-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Linux Mint - just works. And has been for a long long time.", "excerpt": "I searched around when ubuntu did that 'unity' switch a LONG time ago, found Mint, and have been on it all this time. The team has repeatedly showed themselves to be calm, sober, sensible decision makers - I still use mint the same way I started. They are not prone to fits of 'redo everything', force this, snappify everything, simplify everything so that nothing can be done. Version to version, things just keep getti", "context": "Linux user for 30+ years", "use_case": "daily driver desktop", "switched_from": "Ubuntu", "story": "Ubuntu 26.10 (Stonking Stingray) released"}, {"id": 801671681, "item_id": 50104480, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50104480", "by": "surgical_fire", "date": "2026-10-15", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "For years I ran on Mint, and I still adore it.", "excerpt": "Ubuntu is fine, and it was the distro that got me into Linux. For years I ran on Mint, and I still adore it. But on my daily driver I switched to OpenSUSE Tumbleweed and I am really enjoying it so far.", "context": "", "use_case": "daily driver", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ubuntu 26.10 (Stonking Stingray) released"}, {"id": 797429008, "item_id": 49839313, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49839313", "by": "lightchaser08", "date": "2026-09-25", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "If you want something similar to Windows but a bit simpler then I would recommend Mint.", "excerpt": "Depends what you need it for. If you want something similar to Windows but a bit simpler then I would recommend Mint. If you\u2019re a bit braver and don\u2019t mind setting up the media codecs yourself then I recommend Fedora Share your machine\u2019s specs and if it\u2019s got NVIDIA and someone on here might be able to give you a more precise answer", "context": "", "use_case": "Windows-like desktop", "switched_from": "", "story": "What OS should I pick?"}, {"id": 797026336, "item_id": 49814146, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49814146", "by": "hobo123", "date": "2026-09-23", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I just love how the Linux gets out of the way, everything just works", "excerpt": "That's why I use Linux Mint, even if some Linux guys might think less of me. Switched from Windows 11. My work system is a Mac. I just love how the Linux gets out of the way, everything just works, UI much better and consistent than Windows. And I'll probably keep receiving security fixes and app improvements in 10 years for my old Thinkpad.", "context": "uses a Mac at work, old Thinkpad at home", "use_case": "daily desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows 11", "story": "I said no and Apple said yes"}, {"id": 795466082, "item_id": 49716630, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49716630", "by": "tombert", "date": "2026-09-15", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I installed Mint on there, and she seems to like it.", "excerpt": "> People who complain about Linux usually either insist on customizing it (as you noted) or run it on hardware that it doesn't work well on. Even as someone who has customized the hell out of my desktop, it does kind of annoy me that people act like you \"just\" need to customize it. \"Customizable\" is (often) just a synonym for \"incomplete\". Instead of giving you a full operating system, you have to \"customize\" it. Or,", "context": "", "use_case": "mother-in-law's laptop OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Leaving Linux"}, {"id": 795290272, "item_id": 49705642, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49705642", "by": "josephg", "date": "2026-09-14", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use Linux mint on my desktop. Wifi just works.", "excerpt": "Is it? I use Linux mint on my desktop. Wifi just works. I\u2019m using some X870 motherboard. I got the motherboard when it was really new, and I think it took a few months before wifi worked properly in mint out of the box. (I use Ethernet anyway so it wasn\u2019t too upsetting). But after a few months, they had it all sorted. I have never manually compiled a kernel or wifi drivers or anything on this machine. I suspect most ", "context": "Linux desktop user", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Microsoft patches Windows and Excel \u2013 breaks audio, remote access, and paste"}, {"id": 795042816, "item_id": 49690176, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49690176", "by": "dv35z", "date": "2026-09-14", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Best of two worlds - stable foundation of Debian, easy-to-use interface of Mint. I have been using it for about 2 years now, very happy with it.", "excerpt": "Consider checking out Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE). Best of two worlds - stable foundation of Debian, easy-to-use interface of Mint. I have been using it for about 2 years now, very happy with it. https://linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php", "context": "", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Cpak \u2013 OCI application package format for Linux desktops, servers and devices"}, {"id": 793800673, "item_id": 49612542, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49612542", "by": "p2detar", "date": "2026-09-08", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I replaced their Windows with Linux Mint.", "excerpt": "I don't buy the AI argument. I'd bet on Linux replacing Windows for a good chunk of desktop users. For example, I installed LibreOffice on my parents' PC last month, because I replaced their Windows with Linux Mint.", "context": "", "use_case": "parents' desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "LibreOffice breaks download records after declaring it has no AI features"}, {"id": 793664451, "item_id": 49604028, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49604028", "by": "IslandRebel", "date": "2026-09-07", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "projects like Debian, Mint, etc., are great at bringing users a boring but stable desktop", "excerpt": "The Linux community needs to embrace being something for the enthusiast. If you look at things that have got people interested in Linux. It wasn't just that Windows 11 is awful, because a lot of people just install Windows 11 LTSC and call it a day. Hyprland was/is something that excites people. There was a lot of hype around Omarchy (I don't care about the guys' politics, and please don't bring it up; I find the dis", "context": "", "use_case": "stable desktop", "switched_from": "", "story": "Switzerland's Federal Government Is Replacing Microsoft on 3k Computers"}, {"id": 791667904, "item_id": 49479244, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49479244", "by": "Tallain", "date": "2026-08-28", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I switched to Mint and never looked back. It's one of the easiest transitions IMO", "excerpt": "I switched to Mint and never looked back. It's one of the easiest transitions IMO, and if you really miss Windows, you can bring the aesthetic with you: https://cinnamon-spices.linuxmint.com/themes/view/Chicago95", "context": "", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "Get your Windows license refund"}, {"id": 787842272, "item_id": 49240142, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49240142", "by": "raxxorraxor", "date": "2026-08-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "For the Windows look and feel, I recommend Mint + Cinnamon.", "excerpt": "For the Windows look and feel, I recommend Mint + Cinnamon. It took me about 15min to not miss anything on Windows and was shocked how I had forgotten how clean a system can be. Mandatory Windows accounts can still be circumvented with a console command for Win 11 installations, but the overall enshitification package just got worse and worse. Cinnamon is X11, but it works very well.", "context": "", "use_case": "Windows replacement desktop", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "Windows 11's built-in Weather app wastes more than 1 GB of RAM"}, {"id": 786354528, "item_id": 49147158, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49147158", "by": "ozhero", "date": "2026-08-02", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I'm a huge fan of Linux Mint, especially for people migrating from Windows.", "excerpt": "I use Windows 11, Linux and MacOS on a daily basis and don't have any axes to grind on which one I think is best. For older hardware that won't run Windows 11, I'm a huge fan of Linux Mint, especially for people migrating from Windows.", "context": "uses Windows 11, Linux and MacOS daily", "use_case": "older hardware, Windows migrants", "switched_from": "", "story": "Linux Desktop Market Share Surpasses 10% in North America"}, {"id": 784536673, "item_id": 49033542, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49033542", "by": "zepearl", "date": "2026-07-24", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "For gaming, mediacenter-PC and webradio-miniPC I use Linux Mint with Xfce.", "excerpt": "Gentoorian here as well, cheers. I use it since ~20 years on most of my notebooks/PCs/root servers mainly because of its flexibility and I often end up wanting to use the very latest versions of software (e.g. ZFS, kernels, etc...) without struggling as most things are available from the official central package repository. I admit that updating/upgrading the OS is a pain from the time perspective (because of the lon", "context": "", "use_case": "gaming, media center, VMs", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What Linux distro do you daily drive?"}, {"id": 784490384, "item_id": 49030649, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49030649", "by": "dv35z", "date": "2026-07-23", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I am running - and strongly recommend - Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE).", "excerpt": "I am running - and strongly recommend - Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE). https://www.linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php For the past several years, I was running Debian stable & XFCE. It is a great combination. However, I started teaching technology (programming, Linux, and maker-space tech, like laser cutters & CNC routers), and I wanted to see how close I could get to an \"easy button\" interface, paired with a princip", "context": "teaches technology; used Linux for 20+ years", "use_case": "daily driver desktop", "switched_from": "Debian stable & XFCE", "story": "Ask HN: What Linux distro do you daily drive?"}, {"id": 784471857, "item_id": 49029491, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49029491", "by": "ColdStream", "date": "2026-07-23", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "on other machines, I just run Mint. It is just a nice and comfortable thing.", "excerpt": "Depending on the machine I use. My laptop is one of the few machines that can run entirely on open source from Firmware, drivers all the way to the top. Thus I run Trisquel. Definitely not for everyone. But on other machines, I just run Mint. It is just a nice and comfortable thing. The base Cinnamon desktop is basically just Windows 7 locked in place with a few quality of life improvements. Not too ambitious but tha", "context": "", "use_case": "daily driver OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What Linux distro do you daily drive?"}, {"id": 779789456, "item_id": 48736841, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48736841", "by": "dv35z", "date": "2026-06-30", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "(Linux Mint Debian edition)", "excerpt": "I have a cron job which restarts my computer every day (Linux Mint Debian edition). I like waking up to a \"fresh\" computer, and since I know that it will restart every day - this is a \"forcing function\" to (1) be diligent about saving things that are important, (2) treating browser tabs, random notes, etc as ephemeral, and bookmarking the important stuff. I used to work at an office where we pair-programmed with clie", "context": "", "use_case": "daily desktop", "switched_from": "", "story": "Have You Restarted Your Computer This Week?"}, {"id": 779256897, "item_id": 48703556, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48703556", "by": "ProllyInfamous", "date": "2026-06-27", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "modern Mint installed just fine", "excerpt": "The only \"bummer\" with the 4,1 is: in order to get a bootscreen, you need to either \"hack it\" with Open Core Legacy Patcher (OCLP) -or- purchase a modified-firmware GPU from macvidcards.com (I run his custom VEGA56/firmware, personally; it's faster than most Apple Silicon for Ollama3.1 [about 74 tokens/second]) -or- use a stock Apple GPU with an additional GPU plugged into main display. With OCLP you can run Linux us", "context": "runs Linux on Mac Pro 4,1", "use_case": "OS on Mac Pro 4,1", "switched_from": "", "story": "Linux on Older Hardware: The Complete Revival Guide"}, {"id": 779180992, "item_id": 48698812, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48698812", "by": "jrm4", "date": "2026-06-27", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "my Linux Mint desktop isn't less hassle than Windows", "excerpt": "Does it really, though? I haven't used Windows as a daily driver in forever, but I'd have trouble believing that my Linux Mint desktop isn't less hassle than Windows (e.g. the ads, windows updates etc you mention)", "context": "", "use_case": "daily driver desktop", "switched_from": "", "story": "My Steam Machine Is a 50ft HDMI Cable"}, {"id": 777480416, "item_id": 48592526, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48592526", "by": "malbs", "date": "2026-06-18", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I switched to Linux Mint, and I haven't switched back.", "excerpt": "Agreed. 2026 was the year. The degradation of win 11 , forced win accounts everywhere. I switched to Linux Mint, and I haven't switched back. Missing out on a few random games that aren't supported yet, I decided it was time to get rid of windows on my desktop. I do have one windows machine still, and thats my simrig, this is a purpose built computer+rig specifically for iRacing and iRacing have said that they won't ", "context": "keeps one Windows machine for iRacing sim rig", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows 11", "story": "Microsoft new Outlook takes 10 seconds to do what Outlook Classic does instantly"}, {"id": 777354388, "item_id": 48584649, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48584649", "by": "hilsdev", "date": "2026-06-18", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "all still work fine on my Mint setup", "excerpt": "I tried installing SteamOS on a couple machines last week. One pain point is that their install scripts are just that - non interactive scripts that are designed for gaming handhelds such as the steam deck. The main issue being it expects to be the only OS installed, it will clobber your entire physical volume with its new partition layout and file systems. Not a big deal for a dedicated gaming machine but not what I", "context": "", "use_case": "daily OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "SteamOS Linux 3.8 released as stable"}, {"id": 776523200, "item_id": 48532700, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48532700", "by": "palata", "date": "2026-06-14", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "for the most accessible (Mint comes to mind)", "excerpt": "First, I believe that it does not work to call it \"Linux\" in that context. There are tons of different Linux distros that vary in stability, and second stability depends on how much the user will break the system. All Linux distros are usually very stable. I have been using Linux for 15 years (multiple distros) and for me it \"just works\". Sure, I am an advanced user, so I never end up breaking my system and having to", "context": "Linux user for 15 years", "use_case": "beginner-friendly desktop", "switched_from": "", "story": "Why Linux Still Feels Unstable"}, {"id": 766215840, "item_id": 47888490, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47888490", "by": "KronisLV", "date": "2026-04-24", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "If you want something desktop oriented and Ubuntu based without the focus on snaps, take a look at Linux Mint", "excerpt": "Debian is good! If you want something desktop oriented and Ubuntu based without the focus on snaps, take a look at Linux Mint: https://www.linuxmint.com/ (there's Cinnamon, Xfce and MATE versions; personally I think Cinnamon is pretty good nowadays)", "context": "", "use_case": "Ubuntu alternative without snaps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Released"}, {"id": 763404208, "item_id": 47712763, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47712763", "by": "QuadrupleA", "date": "2026-04-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I walked a mostly non-technical family member through Linux Mint (Cinnamon) installation over the phone about a month ago and she's been happy with it.", "excerpt": "Linux awaits! I walked a mostly non-technical family member through Linux Mint (Cinnamon) installation over the phone about a month ago and she's been happy with it. I've been very pleased with Arch and LXQt, as a developer - switched from Windows about a year ago and I think I've booted it about three times and 10 minutes total. Freedom from abusive, dishonest tech companies is becoming more and more possible. Huge ", "context": "developer", "use_case": "OS for non-technical family member", "switched_from": "", "story": "How Microsoft Abuses Its Users"}, {"id": 759981397, "item_id": 47498837, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47498837", "by": "smallstepforman", "date": "2026-03-23", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I multiboot with Win11, Linux Mint and Haiku nightly", "excerpt": "There is always the one App which isnt available elsewhere that prevents migration. I\u2019ve been a full time Amiga user, BeOS user, OSX, user, currently I multiboot with Win11, Linux Mint and Haiku nightly, and Windows 11 still gets 99% screen time due to the one App. All other apps I use daily are cross platform. For everyone its a different App. For me, Visual Studio 2022 and its world class visual debugger that inspe", "context": "", "use_case": "multiboot OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Scott Hanselman says he's working on Windows local accounts"}, {"id": 756883698, "item_id": 47305231, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47305231", "by": "dv35z", "date": "2026-03-08", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I installed Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE).", "excerpt": "(1) PROJECT \"AFFIRMATOR\" - Start each day out right with chill jazz wake-up music, then life-success wisdom (Earl Nightingale, Tony Robbins, etc). In the evening, fun latin cooking music plays, and then lo-fi chill tunes. At night, your personalized vocalized affirmations & goals plays, and then drift to sleep with meditation music. Tech details: I found that used, small form-factor Dell Optiplexes are great for prod", "context": "", "use_case": "prototype device OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What Are You Working On? (March 2026)"}, {"id": 751192208, "item_id": 46949513, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46949513", "by": "pipes", "date": "2026-02-09", "stance": "warn", "quote": "I'm on mint Linux, Nvidia 1660 super, tp link usb WiFi.", "excerpt": "This is an odd coincidence, I went back to Linux recently because win 11 driving me nuts. Unfortunately I've got two problems that just seem unsolvable. Unstable wifi network connection and temporary image retention if I use variable refresh rate. I'm on mint Linux, Nvidia 1660 super, tp link usb WiFi. Other users reporting the same. Back in 2010 on another pc I had the same issues with WiFi on mint. I don't have the", "context": "returned to Linux, has WiFi and display issues", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows 11", "story": "I went back to Linux and it was a mistake"}, {"id": 749159584, "item_id": 46822474, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46822474", "by": "renegade-otter", "date": "2026-01-30", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "My file browser in Mint opens right away.", "excerpt": "Well, I already switched to Linux, so have fun with all that. My file browser in Mint opens right away. It's like a miracle technology, or something.", "context": "", "use_case": "desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "Microsoft is working to rebuild trust in Windows"}, {"id": 748797200, "item_id": 46799825, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46799825", "by": "TheGRS", "date": "2026-01-28", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I'm going to give Mint a shot on my old PC soon", "excerpt": "I think I'm pretty much there and just haven't made the switch yet. I'm going to give Mint a shot on my old PC soon and if its a good experience I'll switch on my desktop as well. Every time I have a bad experience in Windows lately I wonder why I'm sticking with it. Everything has been solved, its only momentum keeping me going.", "context": "", "use_case": "trying on old PC", "switched_from": "", "story": "Microsoft forced me to switch to Linux"}, {"id": 748745537, "item_id": 46796596, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46796596", "by": "Markoff", "date": "2026-01-28", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "everything works fine (unlike Zorin, which had problem with sound I think)", "excerpt": "My experience is more like: \"I'll switch when Linux supports X.\" Linux still doesn't supports X. \"Okay, but how about my X?\" Linux still doesn't supports X. \"Well, X is still missing...\" Trados Studio, good luck finding equivalent, I tried, and the alternatives are horrendous and I'm not gonna run it in VM. Also I tried at least for son on his old computer live distro Mint from USB drive, everything works fine (unlik", "context": "translator on Windows", "use_case": "family laptops", "switched_from": "", "story": "Microsoft forced me to switch to Linux"}, {"id": 747362352, "item_id": 46710147, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46710147", "by": "elseleigh", "date": "2026-01-21", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've been running Linux Mint exclusively as a daily driver for fourteen years.", "excerpt": "I've been running Linux Mint exclusively as a daily driver for fourteen years. The software company I started used it for everything from development to marketing to accounts. We had zero issues, and security audits always gave a clean bill of health. Full disc encryption is now just a checkbox away when installing your distro of choice. Sticking to verified software is best practice.", "context": "software company founder", "use_case": "daily driver for development and business", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: Is Linux Safe to Daily drive in 2026?"}, {"id": 745263696, "item_id": 46578981, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46578981", "by": "raziel2701", "date": "2026-01-11", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Mint definitely is easier to install than windows, hands down", "excerpt": "I bought a thinkpad X1 carbon refurbished for about ~$300. I wanted to travel abroad with a laptop I wouldn't mind getting stolen if it happened. During the installation of Win11 it asked me to create a microsoft account, fuck that. I installed linux mint. Very nice experience overall, so nice to not get assaulted by ads in the start menu. Pleased to see the nightlight functionality (I googled f.lux for linux and tha", "context": "", "use_case": "laptop for youtube and movies", "switched_from": "Windows 11", "story": "I dumped Windows 11 for Linux, and you should too"}, {"id": 745099360, "item_id": 46568710, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46568710", "by": "surgical_fire", "date": "2026-01-10", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I love Mint.", "excerpt": "Mint because I am a filthy casual. I love Mint. It has been smooth sailing for the past 4 years running it on a 2019 Dell X5. Part of why I lack any motivation to get a new machine is because it still runs very smooth with Mint. I plan on getting a new machine in the near future. Then I'll use my old Dell as a testing ground for other Distros. Was thinking of testing Tumbleweed first.", "context": "self-described casual user, 4 years on a 2019 Dell", "use_case": "daily desktop OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "I replaced Windows with Linux and everything's going great"}, {"id": 744299025, "item_id": 46518689, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46518689", "by": "briangray", "date": "2026-01-06", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Linux Mint gives all the basic software needed.", "excerpt": "I have a good amount of experience with this and wrote up a very long recommendation. Many of the parents I've worked with have different reasons for introducing their kids to tech. Without knowing your 'why', I thought I'd just post the bullet points. - Set up a mini PC/Raspberry Pi. Use a simple Linux distro or older version of Windows and install GCompri on it. No need for internet. Show them how to open notepad, ", "context": "works with parents introducing kids to tech", "use_case": "kids' PC", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What kind of setup do you run for your children?"}, {"id": 744278528, "item_id": 46517408, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46517408", "by": "Desafinado", "date": "2026-01-06", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I converted my Windows PC to Linux Mint and let my kids play GCompris on there", "excerpt": "I converted my Windows PC to Linux Mint and let my kids play GCompris on there, which is an educational, non-addictive game suite. As of now neither of them know that the internet exists, and my wife and I keep them away from screens as much as possible. Once the flood breaks and they discover the internet we'll be using NextDNS.", "context": "parent", "use_case": "kids' computer", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "Ask HN: What kind of setup do you run for your children?"}, {"id": 743782112, "item_id": 46486382, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46486382", "by": "gingersnap", "date": "2026-01-04", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "My Linux mint is still in style of the old windows versions.", "excerpt": "I've been using Linux now as my personal desktop OS for 10-15 years. I actually really liked windows, and still think that windows XP and 7 was great OS for me. My Linux mint is still in style of the old windows versions. But this year I used windows at a new work, and tested using my wife's windows computer. And for the first time I really feel it's shit. First when I moved to Linux, 10-15 years ago, windows was bet", "context": "Linux desktop user for 10-15 years", "use_case": "personal desktop OS", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "2026 will be my year of the Linux desktop"}, {"id": 743642017, "item_id": 46477626, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46477626", "by": "neogodless", "date": "2026-01-03", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "fractional scaling was broken under Cinnamon, and Brightness controls were broken under KDE", "excerpt": "I believe this was Dec. 2023 through Feb. 2024 (I should add dates to my little \"blog\"...): https://www.retorch.com/blog/linux-mint.htm If I remember, Linux Mint was on kernel 5.15 at the time. The TL;DR is that fractional scaling was broken under Cinnamon, and Brightness controls were broken under KDE. Most gaming was good, but a brand new game (Hogwart's Legacy) had major issues, including crashing and vastly worse", "context": "", "use_case": "trial desktop", "switched_from": "", "story": "2026 will be my year of the Linux desktop"}, {"id": 743361792, "item_id": 46460112, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46460112", "by": "edferda", "date": "2026-01-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Recently switched to Linux Mint from Windows and it has not only been good. It has been cathartic.", "excerpt": "Recently switched to Linux Mint from Windows and it has not only been good. It has been cathartic. I enjoy computers again! I am self-hosting some services, what an absolute joy.", "context": "self-hosts services", "use_case": "desktop OS and self-hosting", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "Linux is good now; to feel like you actually own your PC, put Linux on it"}, {"id": 743341537, "item_id": 46458846, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46458846", "by": "hodgehog11", "date": "2026-01-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "put Mint on the Macbook and it seems to run very well", "excerpt": "Not the OP, but I have a 2015 Macbook Pro and a desktop PC both running Linux. I love Fedora, so that's on the desktop, but I followed online recommendations to put Mint on the Macbook and it seems to run very well. However, I did need to install mbpfan (https://github.com/linux-on-mac/mbpfan) to get more sane power options and this package (https://github.com/patjak/facetimehd) to get the camera working. It runs bet", "context": "runs Linux on a 2015 Macbook Pro and a desktop PC", "use_case": "OS on 2015 Macbook Pro", "switched_from": "macOS", "story": "Linux is good now; to feel like you actually own your PC, put Linux on it"}, {"id": 743171522, "item_id": 46448220, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46448220", "by": "leptons", "date": "2025-12-31", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "And I've switched to Linux Mint for all my systems except my laptop", "excerpt": "The only thing keeps Windows 11 usable for me are these two mods.. https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher https://github.com/open-shell/open-shell-menu/ They bring back the context menu and the old task bar, as well as the old start menu. It's like I never left Windows 10. And I've switched to Linux Mint for all my systems except my laptop, which still has some hardware limitations under Linux.", "context": "", "use_case": "daily OS", "switched_from": "Windows", "story": "2025 was a disaster for Windows 11"}, {"id": 741628274, "item_id": 46351767, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46351767", "by": "tw600040", "date": "2025-12-21", "stance": "compare", "quote": "should I go with Ubuntu or Debian or Mint or something else?", "excerpt": "Need a suggestion, and thought might as well ask here. I use a Mac now. Last windows was more than 15 years ago and now I want to try Linux. which version would you recommend? should I go with Ubuntu or Debian or Mint or something else? I am not a tinkerer. I want something that just works, on the lines of a Mac.", "context": "Mac user, not a tinkerer", "use_case": "Mac-like Linux desktop", "switched_from": "", "story": "I can't upgrade to Windows 11, now leave me alone"}, {"id": 735105856, "item_id": 45944116, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45944116", "by": "Surac", "date": "2025-11-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use Mint and use steam to play my games just fine.", "excerpt": "Kudos to the author. I also will not buy a steam Box. But i appreciate the effect it will have on gaming and Linux. I use Mint and use steam to play my games just fine. For some games it is a little bit shaky. Game company\u2019s now have a incentive to make gaming just feel right on a Linux machine much more than like the switch deck. Just my thinking of course", "context": "", "use_case": "gaming", "switched_from": "", "story": "I don\u2019t need a Steam Machine"}]}