Linux Mint
Ubuntu-based desktop Linux distribution with the Cinnamon, Xfce and MATE desktops.
HN commenters recommend it as an easy switch from Windows with a familiar Cinnamon desktop1234, a system that just works and stays stable for years567, and a good fit for older hardware and non-technical family members.891011 The most common caveat is hardware and driver trouble, especially with Wi-Fi and Nvidia121314, and some games are still unsupported or unstable.151617
Why people recommend it
Windows switching · 3
Commenters say it is one of the easiest moves from Windows, with a familiar Windows-like layout.
“I switched to Mint and never looked back. It's one of the easiest transitions IMO”
“For the Windows look and feel, I recommend Mint + Cinnamon.”
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“I'm a huge fan of Linux Mint, especially for people migrating from Windows.”
Just works · 3
Users describe it as stable and low-hassle, with years-long use as a daily driver.
“Linux Mint - just works. And has been for a long long time.”
“I just love how the Linux gets out of the way, everything just works”
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“I've been running Linux Mint exclusively as a daily driver for fourteen years.”
Older hardware · 3
It runs well on older laptops and PCs, including old MacBooks and Dells.
“I love Mint.”
“running Linux Mint. It only has a few apps. Beautiful machine, works perfectly.”
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“put Mint on the Macbook and it seems to run very well”
Non-technical users · 3
Commenters installed it for parents, family members and kids, who are reported to be happy with it.
“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 replaced their Windows with Linux Mint.”
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“I converted my Windows PC to Linux Mint and let my kids play GCompris on there”
Easy install · 2
Installation is described as straightforward, even easier than Windows.
“Mint definitely is easier to install than windows, hands down”
“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.”
Careful development · 1
The team is praised for incremental improvements without disruptive redesigns.
“Linux Mint - just works. And has been for a long long time.”
Caveats and dissent
Hardware drivers · 3
Some users report Wi-Fi, Nvidia driver and laptop hardware problems.
“I'm on mint Linux, Nvidia 1660 super, tp link usb WiFi.”
“I use Linux mint on my desktop. Wifi just works.”
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“And I've switched to Linux Mint for all my systems except my laptop”
Gaming gaps · 3
Some games run poorly, crash or are not supported.
“fractional scaling was broken under Cinnamon, and Brightness controls were broken under KDE”
“I use Mint and use steam to play my games just fine.”
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“I switched to Linux Mint, and I haven't switched back.”
Display scaling · 1
One user found fractional scaling broken under Cinnamon.
“fractional scaling was broken under Cinnamon, and Brightness controls were broken under KDE”
Mac tweaking · 1
Running it on an old MacBook needed extra packages and power tweaks.
“put Mint on the Macbook and it seems to run very well”
Limited tweakability · 1
It is described as not the best choice for users who want more power and tweaking.
“on other machines, I just run Mint. It is just a nice and comfortable thing.”
Dual-boot detection · 1
One user said the installer did not detect an existing Windows install.
“everything works fine (unlike Zorin, which had problem with sound I think)”
Often compared with
9 moved from Windows to Linux MintWindows 118 comments mention both
5 moved from Windows 11 to Linux Mint
1 moved from Ubuntu to Linux Mint
1 moved from Linux Mint to Arch LinuxCachyOS1 comment mention both
1 moved from Linux Mint to CachyOS
1 moved from Linux Mint to openSUSE Tumbleweed
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- Ask HN: What Linux distro do you daily drive? 3 mentions
- Ubuntu 26.10 (Stonking Stingray) released 2 mentions
- Microsoft forced me to switch to Linux 2 mentions
- Ask HN: What kind of setup do you run for your children? 2 mentions
- 2026 will be my year of the Linux desktop 2 mentions
- Linux is good now; to feel like you actually own your PC, put Linux on it 2 mentions
Also written as Linux Mint Debian Edition. Data: linux-mint.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 41
“Linux Mint - just works. And has been for a long long time.”
“For years I ran on Mint, and I still adore it.”
“If you want something similar to Windows but a bit simpler then I would recommend Mint.”
“I just love how the Linux gets out of the way, everything just works”
“I installed Mint on there, and she seems to like it.”
“I use Linux mint on my desktop. Wifi just works.”
“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.”
“I replaced their Windows with Linux Mint.”
“projects like Debian, Mint, etc., are great at bringing users a boring but stable desktop”
“I switched to Mint and never looked back. It's one of the easiest transitions IMO”
“For the Windows look and feel, I recommend Mint + Cinnamon.”
“I'm a huge fan of Linux Mint, especially for people migrating from Windows.”
“For gaming, mediacenter-PC and webradio-miniPC I use Linux Mint with Xfce.”
“I am running - and strongly recommend - Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE).”
“on other machines, I just run Mint. It is just a nice and comfortable thing.”
“(Linux Mint Debian edition)”
“modern Mint installed just fine”
“my Linux Mint desktop isn't less hassle than Windows”
“I switched to Linux Mint, and I haven't switched back.”
“all still work fine on my Mint setup”
“for the most accessible (Mint comes to mind)”
“If you want something desktop oriented and Ubuntu based without the focus on snaps, take a look at Linux Mint”
“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 multiboot with Win11, Linux Mint and Haiku nightly”
“I installed Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE).”
“I'm on mint Linux, Nvidia 1660 super, tp link usb WiFi.”
“My file browser in Mint opens right away.”
“I'm going to give Mint a shot on my old PC soon”
“everything works fine (unlike Zorin, which had problem with sound I think)”
“I've been running Linux Mint exclusively as a daily driver for fourteen years.”
“Mint definitely is easier to install than windows, hands down”
“I love Mint.”
“Linux Mint gives all the basic software needed.”
“I converted my Windows PC to Linux Mint and let my kids play GCompris on there”
“My Linux mint is still in style of the old windows versions.”
“fractional scaling was broken under Cinnamon, and Brightness controls were broken under KDE”
“Recently switched to Linux Mint from Windows and it has not only been good. It has been cathartic.”
“put Mint on the Macbook and it seems to run very well”
“And I've switched to Linux Mint for all my systems except my laptop”
“should I go with Ubuntu or Debian or Mint or something else?”
“I use Mint and use steam to play my games just fine.”