The Linux Mint group has as soon as once more launched a top-tier Linux desktop: Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia. I’ve used extra Linux distributions than most individuals, and Mint is my favourite desktop distro.
My bias begins with Mint’s Ubuntu 22.04 Lengthy Time period Help (LTS) and Linux kernel 5.15 basis. It is a secure, dependable working system for each new and skilled customers. Since it is also a Mint LTS, you should utilize it with none worries till April 2027.
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Like all Linux desktop distros, Virginia is not only a desktop working system, it contains all of the software program you want. The distro comes with LibreOffice 7.3.7 for workplace productiveness, Thunderbird 115.16.0 for electronic mail and calendaring, GIMP 2.10.30 for graphics modifying, and Firefox 121.0.1 for net shopping.
However should you do not like these default purposes, no worries. It is easy to put in new software program applications on Linux. Similar to a smartphone, you merely go to the software program retailer — in Mint it is known as Software program Supervisor — seek for your program, and obtain and set up it.
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For instance, if, like me, you like Chrome, all you need to do is seek for “Internet browser”, and you will have three dozen net browsers to select from. I discovered Chrome from a range that included Microsoft Edge, Courageous, Opera, and — an actual blast from the previous — Mosaic. A minute later, I used to be in enterprise.
And once I name it a software program retailer, it is vital to notice that the majority these purposes are free. The Software program Supervisor additionally contains software rankings that can assist you make knowledgeable choices about which program you wish to use. For instance, I am not a fan of Thunderbird. My favourite e-mail program is GNOME Evolution. And, sure, it is also free.
The Software program Supervisor’s refreshed consumer interface additionally lets you obtain and set up Flatpak-packaged purposes. These are containerized purposes that may run on any Linux distro. Mint doesn’t, nevertheless, help Snap-packaged purposes by default. But it surely’s straightforward so as to add Snap help to Mint in order for you entry to Snap applications. I do it on a regular basis.
In the event you do not like Flatpak or Snap as a result of their containerized purposes take up extra drive and reminiscence house, that is no downside. Software program Supervisor makes it straightforward to see the distinction between a traditional and a Flatpak set up. And do not trouble including Snap help should you do not wish to.
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The considerable RAM and storage in trendy computer systems means I by no means fear about working out of room. Linux purposes are usually smaller than their macOS and Home windows rivals.
Linux Mint additionally comes with its personal homebrew apps. Those I discover most fascinating on this launch are: Hypnotix, an IPTV tuner and viewer; Warpinator, a easy native space community file-sharing utility; and Cumbersome, an software for simply renaming a number of recordsdata and directories.
Hypnotix is an effective way to stream movies to your Linux Mint-powered PC. Screenshot by sjvn/ZDNET
Hypnotic now helps customized and favourite channels. Behind the scenes, it additionally comes with a really helpful yt-dlp replace, which permits the software program to do a greater job of presenting YouTube movies. Warpinator’s new options allow you to connect with networked drives manually by way of IP or QR codes. Nevertheless, I might be hesitant about connecting to an in any other case unknown system utilizing a QR code. Lastly, Cumbersome helps thumbnails, drag-and-drop recordsdata, and listing strikes.
Whereas Linux Mint helps many Linux desktop environments, akin to MATE and Xfce, its default atmosphere — and my favourite — is Cinnamon. This fork of the GNOME 2.0 atmosphere is easy, clear, and simple to make use of. I believe it is the perfect desktop atmosphere on the market.
Linux Mint 21.3 boasts the latest model of Cinnamon, Cinnamon 6.0. On this launch, extra non-compulsory options, known as spices, allow you to do things like make a bootable USB stick from its Nemo file supervisor.
You may also now use the Wayland show server. Nevertheless, this protocol is non-compulsory. And until you wish to dwell on the wild aspect of Linux, I would not trouble with it. Whereas Wayland’s been within the works for years now, it is nonetheless not prepared for prime time. Certainly, Mint’s builders do not plan on utilizing it till 2026.
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With out Wayland, the Cinnamon interface stays fast and snappy. I’ve already moved my primary desktop — a 2020 Dell Precision 3451, with an Intel 8-core 3GHz i7-9700 CPU 16GBs of RAM, and a 512GB SSD — to Mint 21.3, and it runs nice. Not like Home windows, the place working system “upgrades” virtually all the time carry slower efficiency, each step ahead with Linux Mint offers you a sooner machine.
In reality, Linux Mint will run on just about any pc. You are good to go in case your PC has 2GB of RAM and 100GB of storage, any graphics card, and a monitor that helps a 1024×768 decision. In the event you’re uncertain if you wish to attempt Mint, you’ll be able to seize virtually any PC from a second-hand retailer to play with it. I just lately described how one can transfer from Home windows to Linux Mint 21.2, and the identical strategies will work with 21.3 as nicely. Simply obtain the Linux Mint 21.3 picture, and you will be in enterprise.
If you wish to run Linux Mint and Home windows on the identical machine, albeit not on the identical time, Mint 21.3 has made that method simpler than ever. The brand new model of Mint comes with full help for Safe Boot and has extra compatibility than ever with all kinds of BIOS and EFI implementations. I do not advocate learners do that route, because it’s extra of a job for energy customers or different individuals who know their method round a pc’s very important techniques.
There are actually a whole bunch of Linux desktops on the market. I ought to know, I’ve checked out a lot of them. However whether or not you are a brand new Linux consumer or somebody like me who’s been utilizing the working system since Linus Torvalds was a grad scholar, I believe you will discover this newest Linux Mint replace to be every thing you’d need from a general-purpose desktop.
