5 Reasons To Use Linux Mint And Not Ubuntu

"Should I use Linux Mint or Ubuntu?"

On the surface there is not much difference between Linux Mint and Ubuntu since Linux Mint relies on Ubuntu (except for Linux Mint Debian Edition) and besides the desktop computer environment and default applications there is not actually a difference.
In this column I am going to list 5 reasons why you would select Linux Mint over Ubuntu. I am well aware that Ubuntu users are going to come back and say that there are plenty of reasons to use Ubuntu over Linux Mint and hence the counterargument to this listing will be made available later in the week.
After reading through this listing You May Want to check out these testimonials:
Click here for a review of Linux Mint 17.1
Click here to get a review of Ubuntu 14.10

01

of 05

Cinnamon vs Unity

Cinnamon Is More Customisable Than Unity.Unity is the flagship desktop environment which is set up with Ubuntu. It is not everyone's cup of tea and you either love it or despise it.
Cinnamon, on the other hand, is much more conventional, similar to the Windows background that many consumers have become used to over the last twenty decades.
Cinnamon is more customizable than Unity and provides the ability to have multiple panels, a choice of applets and desklets.
Ubuntu users would assert that you don't need to use Unity and there are other desktop environments available like the Xubuntu desktop or Lubuntu desktop computer.
The same is true of Linux Mint. The difference between Linux Mint and Ubuntu with this respect is that you can set up the XFCE version, the KDE version, the MATE version or the Cinnamon variant and whilst the actual controls used may be different the total appearance and feel stay constant.
Installing the Xubuntu background or Lubuntu desktop computer provides an entirely different look and feel as they're geared toward various audiences.

02

of 05

Linux Mint Is More Familiar For Windows Users

Linux Mint Desktop Familiar On Windows Users.Linux Mint will feel instantly more familiar to Windows users than Ubuntu.
It doesn't matter which version of Linux Mint you install, there will be a single panel in the bottom with a menu, quick launch icons, and system tray icons in the bottom right.
Without any changes to the installation, the menus for all the applications also appear at the top of the application window. Ubuntu has this as a setting that you can toggle on and off.
Linux Mint and Ubuntu have quite similar programs so it is hard to argue the merit of one set of software over another.
For instance, Ubuntu has Rhythmbox set up as a media player whereas Linux Mint has Banshee. Both of them are very excellent software and this requires an article in its own right.
Linux Mint comes with the VLC media player installed whereas Ubuntu includes Totem.
Both these programs are extremely great and arguing the merits of one over the other should not be utilized to make your choice regarding whether to utilize Mint or Ubuntu.
Applications can be set up via the graphical package managers that include every supply anyway.
The point though is that Linux Mint supplies a desktop encounter which Windows users will be used to and applications that will appeal to the average Windows user.

03

of 05

The Ability To Use Non-Free Codecs

Linux Mint MP3 Audio Only Works.Linux Mint includes all the non-free codecs necessary to watch Flash videos and listen to MP3 audio pre-installed.
After you install Ubuntu for the first time there is an option during the setup which asks if you want to set up Fluendo and other third party tools.
By selecting this option you will have the ability to play MP3 audio and flash videos. If you do not check this option you'll have to set up the Ubuntu-Restricted-Extras bundle to receive the exact same functionality.
That is a small point but it makes Linux Mint marginally more usable from the beginning than Ubuntu.
(Note: There's a counterargument to this stage that will appear in the next article)

04

of 05

Privacy And Advertising

Here is an excerpt which highlights the Ubuntu Privacy Policy:

Canonical gathers personal information from you in a number of various ways. By Way of Example, when you download one of these products, receive services from us or use one of our websites (like www.canonical.com and
www.ubuntu.com).

So what sort of personal information is collected and who gets it?

When you enter a search phrase into the dashboard Ubuntu will search your Ubuntu computer and will list the search terms locally. Unless you have opted out (see the "Online Search" section below), then We'll also send your keystrokes as a search phrase to productsearch.ubuntu.com and selected third parties

There is a switch within Ubuntu which enables you to stop this information from being collected but within Linux Mint you don't need to worry about this at the first location.
Does this mean you shouldn't trust Ubuntu? Of course, it doesn't. If you read the full privacy policy you can see what type of information is collected and how it's used.
Click here for the full Ubuntu Privacy Policy.
Ubuntu also has a lot of advertising built into the desktop experience that means when you search for something you will get links to items from the Amazon store.
In some ways, this is a good thing as it integrates your shopping experience into your desktop computer but for a few of you, it will be extremely annoying. Some folks just don't like to be bombarded with advertisements.

05

of 05

Linux Mint Debian Edition Along With Rolling Release

1 thing that puts people off Linux Mint is the fact that the update path is not always simple and you will need to reinstall the entire operating system instead of upgrade.
This is just true of major releases. If you're going from Linux Mint 16 to 17 then you will need to reinstall but moving from 17 to 17.1 provides a relatively simple upgrade route.
Click here to learn how to upgrade from Linux Mint 17 into Linux Mint 17.1.
In case the concept of upgrading and reinstalling puts a knot in your stomach then try Linux Mint Debian Edition. (LMDE)
LMDE is a rolling release supply and so it remains constantly up to date without ever needing to re install it.

Overview

To sum up this article in five lines, the reasons for utilizing Linux Mint over Ubuntu are as follows: 1). The Cinnamon desktop computer is more attractive to conventional computer users. Linux Mint provides instant familiarity to Ubuntu users 3. Non-free codes make it possible for MP3s and Flash movies to be performed automatically 4. Ubuntu logs details of your hunts in the Dash and displays adverts on your desktop 5. Linux Mint Debian Edition prevents you from needing to update your operating system within the next article I am going to give the counterargument whereby I will argue why you would use Ubuntu within Linux Mint.