Last Updated on March 19, 2022 by QCity Editorial Stuff
Linux Mint and Ubuntu are two different flavors of Linux. They both have their pros and cons, but which is better? This article breaks down the differences so you can decide for yourself.
Linux Mint has a more traditional interface than Ubuntu, with no Unity or Gnome Shell at all. It’s also lighter on memory usage than Ubuntu because it doesn’t use up as much RAM when running apps in the background to show you notifications like other operating systems do. On the downside, there are fewer software options available for Linux Mint users because not many people develop programs specifically for that distribution.
Ubuntu might be heavier on memory usage (depending on what kind of computer you’re using), but your system will perform better overall if this is an important consideration. In addition, Ubuntu has a larger software library available for it because Canonical, the company that runs Ubuntu, works with other companies to get their software onto the Ubuntu Software Center.
Comparison between Linux Mint and Ubuntu
| Parameters of Comparison | Linux Mint | Ubuntu |
| Popular | Most popular | Most popular |
| Background | In Linux Mint, you can change the background image to a solid color or a slideshow | In Ubuntu, there are more applications pre-installed by default than in Linux Mint |
| Install | There are two types of repositories for installing new packages – official and unofficial | You can install multiple desktop environments in Ubuntu but not in Linux mint |
| Form | Linux Mint was created by a former student at the University of Texas, Charles Lee | Ubuntu was originally developed in 2004 by Mark Shuttleworth, who financed the project with his funds |
| Edition | here are two editions to choose from – Cinnamon and MATE | In addition to English and other languages supported by default, many more are available through language packs or third-party software packages |
What is Linux Mint?
Mint is a GNU/Linux distribution that is based on Ubuntu. It offers a more traditional desktop experience than Ubuntu, and it comes with a variety of applications pre-installed. Mint also has its unique features, such as the Mint Menu and Mint tools. In this article, we will take a look at what Linux Mint is, and some of its key features.
Linux Mint is a Debian-based distribution (or operating system) and it’s been around for over 10 years. The Linux Mint project has been developing the Linux OS since 2006, intending to provide a reliable, easy-to-use desktop environment that fits all your needs. To do so, they work on continuous updates of both software and hardware drivers.
The latest release of the distro is called “Linux Mint 18 Sarah Cinnamon,” which was released at the end of 2017 after one year of development. It comes with updated software packages and newer versions of popular applications such as LibreOffice or Firefox. Besides this, it also includes many new features like a built-in PDF reader or touchpad gestures support for laptop users.
What is Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is a free, open-source operating system available for download. It’s also the name of an award-winning computer game by Canonical Ltd., the company behind Ubuntu. What does it mean? You might be wondering what Ubuntu means and why you should use this OS instead of Windows or Mac OS X. The word “ubuntu” can be translated to “humanity towards others”. This is the guiding principle that underpins all aspects of Ubuntu’s design philosophy, including its user interface and application set.
Ubuntu has been praised for its ease of installation, a wide variety of software packages, large developer community in comparison to other GNU/Linux distributions such as Debian Linux or Gentoo Linux, and its easy learning curve for new users. Despite these advantages, Ubuntu is also criticized for being a “bloated” operating system that requires a lot of memory and hard drive space. Although it’s very responsive and easy to use, there are still some areas where it can be improved.
10 Differences between Linux Mint and Ubuntu
1. Linux Mint is built on top of Ubuntu and shares the same software.
2. The default desktop environment in Linux Mint is Cinnamon instead of Unity.
3. In Linux Mint, you can change the background image to a solid color or a slideshow.
4. In Ubuntu, there are more applications pre-installed by default than in Linux Mint.
5. There are two types of repositories for installing new packages – official and unofficial.
6. You can install multiple desktop environments in Ubuntu but not in Linux mint.
7. When you first boot up the computer, there’s no need to install any extra software because everything you need comes pre-installed.
8. For your PC to run Linux Mint, you’ll need at least 1GB of RAM and 10 GB of storage space.
9. The default web browser in Linux Mint is called Firefox instead of Chrome or Safari.
10. You can choose from over 50 different languages when installing the OS.
Interesting Statistics or Facts of Linux Mint
1. Linux Mint is the most popular distro of Linux.
2. Linux Mint was created by a former student at the University of Texas, Charles Lee.
3. The latest release of Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.
4. There are two editions to choose from – Cinnamon and MATE.
5. It’s one of the few distributions that can be installed with just a CD/DVD or USB drive.
6. It has over 6 million users worldwide.
Interesting Statistics or Facts of Ubuntu
1. The Ubuntu logo is a traditional African symbol for “humanity towards others”.
2. Ubuntu was originally developed in 2004 by Mark Shuttleworth, who financed the project with his funds.
3. Canonical Ltd., the company behind Ubuntu, has committed to donating all profits from sales of Ubuntu phones to the Mozilla Foundation’s Firefox OS program.
4. In addition to English and other languages supported by default, many more are available through language packs or third-party software packages.
5. Three years after launch, there were 20 million users worldwide.
6. A free CD containing 25 applications is included with every purchase of an Ubuntu computer system.
Conclusion
Linux Mint is an easy-to-use, lightweight operating system that provides the best personal computing experience. It comes with some of the most popular applications which are preinstalled and ready to use out of the box including LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, and many more. This means you don’t have to go hunting for your favorite programs or install them yourself – they’re already there! Linux Mint also has a built-in driver manager so if you need drivers for hardware not yet supported by Linux Mint then it will automatically download them on installation. It’s available in three editions: Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce. These different desktop environments provide unique interfaces but all share common traits such as speed, customizability, and freedom from proprietary software.
References:
Resource 01: https://linuxmint.com/
Resource 02: https://ubuntu.com/
