Linux is a old friend of mine. I used Mandrake for years, and not knowing what the makers of Mandrake were thinking having to change the name several times I decided that I would skip them this round and try a new flavor of Linux.
This Linux Mint comes with the live version, and the 32bit and 64 bit version. For those not understanding why there is a Mate version and a Cinnamon version the reason is in your hardware. The Mate version is for computers that have mainly inboard parts not the audio cards, video cards, etc. What you need to do is look at the processor you have and look at the amount of RAM your computer has. Make sure that your computer at least matches or better for these for Linux Mint requirements. Cinnamon is made for computers that have the fancy video cards, and audio and the maxed out RAM, and large hard drives. This is the best way to help you out that I know on how to explain the two versions to you.
Test your computer out using the live version first if it works then go into the Internet settings and pick your Internet and put in the password, and then it will confirm, and at the left on the desktop you will see the Install Linux Mint icon. Pay attention to what you are doing during the install. You can't install 64bit onto a 32bit computer.
After the install I looked around and naturally like many the first thing I wanted to do was get a new desktop wallpaper. Really I found one that I liked and it really was a right click and set to desktop experience. There is not much of a learning curve on Linux Mint. Yes there is some, and not seeing a bunch of icons after a fresh install was nice. but you can fill that up as well. Just be sure that you remember your password and user name during the install and you should be fine.
UPDATE: Linux is stubborn in some ways, but the way it is stubborn is really good. When it comes to logging in pay attention to Capital letters and lower case letters. Linux is not Windows in this department Linux is absolute. If you capitalized anything in the making of your password then you must capitalize them from that point on when you sign on.
In order to install Linux Mint you must first log onto the Internet. To do this look in the right hand tray at bottom you should see some icons hoover over each until you find the one marked Internet it should highlight and supply a drop down so you can find your Internet provider. Put in the password and have fun installing Linux Mint.
If the install goes wrong but you find you can use the live version then be sure to keep track of which version of Linux Mint you are trying to install. Make a note of it, if the first one you try does not work try the second version. Be sure to check your computer before hand to see if it is 32bit or 64bit. Linux will spit errors if you try to install the wrong version onto a 32bit computer.
Linux Mint 15 Special Edition DVD - Includes both 32-bit and 64-bit, and both MATE and Cinnamon!
3.5 | 45 ratings
Price: 6.99
Last update: 04-16-2025
About this item
Works out of the box, with full multimedia support and is extremely easy to use.
Community-driven. Users are encouraged to send feedback to the project so that their ideas can be used to improve Linux Mint.
Based on Debian and Ubuntu, it provides about 30,000 packages and one of the best software managers.
It's safe and reliable. Thanks to a conservative approach to software updates, a unique Update Manager and the robustness of its Linux architecture, Linux Mint requires very little maintenance (no regressions, no antivirus, no anti-spyware...etc).
Community-driven. Users are encouraged to send feedback to the project so that their ideas can be used to improve Linux Mint.
Based on Debian and Ubuntu, it provides about 30,000 packages and one of the best software managers.
It's safe and reliable. Thanks to a conservative approach to software updates, a unique Update Manager and the robustness of its Linux architecture, Linux Mint requires very little maintenance (no regressions, no antivirus, no anti-spyware...etc).
Top reviews from the United States
C. GilbertLinux Mint Mate installed on a sattellite m505-s4972 laptop
He who knows, knows.I really wanted this to work. But it doesn't ...
gaosmerfailed to install after several hours of trying
RichardThree Stars
JBetter than Windows F-in' 8 for sure
RIMcSo Far so Good
SwedeOne Star
Elaina M Parton