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 Assist (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 e-mail and calendaring, GIMP 2.10.30 for graphics enhancing, and Firefox 121.0.1 for internet looking.
However in case you do not like these default purposes, no worries. It is easy to put in new software program applications on Linux. Identical to a smartphone, you merely go to the software program retailer — in Mint it is referred to as Software program Supervisor — seek for your program, and obtain and set up it.
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For instance, if, like me, you favor Chrome, all you must do is seek for “Net browser”, and you will have three dozen internet browsers to select from. I discovered Chrome from a variety 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 essential to notice that the majority these purposes are free. The Software program Supervisor additionally contains software scores that will help you make knowledgeable selections 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 person interface additionally allows you to 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. However it’s straightforward so as to add Snap help to Mint if you’d like entry to Snap applications. I do it on a regular basis.
Should you do not like Flatpak or Snap as a result of their containerized purposes take up extra drive and reminiscence house, that is no drawback. 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 in case you do not wish to.
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The considerable RAM and storage in fashionable computer systems means I by no means fear about operating out of room. Linux purposes are typically 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 information and directories.
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 hook up with networked drives manually through IP or QR codes. Nonetheless, I’d be hesitant about connecting to an in any other case unknown gadget utilizing a QR code. Lastly, Cumbersome helps thumbnails, drag-and-drop information, and listing strikes.
Whereas Linux Mint helps many Linux desktop environments, comparable to MATE and Xfce, its default setting — and my favourite — is Cinnamon. This fork of the GNOME 2.0 setting is straightforward, clear, and straightforward to make use of. I believe it is one of the best desktop setting on the market.
Linux Mint 21.3 boasts the most recent model of Cinnamon, Cinnamon 6.0. On this launch, extra non-compulsory options, referred to as spices, allow you to do things like make a bootable USB stick from its Nemo file supervisor.
It’s also possible to now use the Wayland show server. Nonetheless, this protocol is non-compulsory. And except you wish to stay on the wild facet 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 fundamental 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. In contrast to Home windows, the place working system “upgrades” nearly at all times deliver slower efficiency, each step ahead with Linux Mint offers you a quicker machine.
Actually, Linux Mint will run on just about any laptop. 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. Should you’re not sure if you wish to strive Mint, you possibly can seize nearly any PC from a second-hand retailer to play with it. I lately described the right way to transfer from Home windows to Linux Mint 21.2, and the identical strategies will work with 21.3 as effectively. 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 suggest newcomers 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 methods.
There are actually lots of of Linux desktops on the market. I ought to know, I’ve checked out lots of them. However whether or not you are a brand new Linux person or somebody like me who’s been utilizing the working system since Linus Torvalds was a grad scholar, I believe you may discover this newest Linux Mint replace to be all the things you’d need from a general-purpose desktop.