Hey everyone! I've been loving Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop. It's been the best Linux experience for me so far since everything just works out of the box—Flatpaks, codecs, and a solid selection of pre-installed apps. Plus, I really appreciate how fast and user-friendly Cinnamon feels. The system tools, like the Update Manager and Driver Manager, are also a major win.
However, I'm running into some issues:
1. The software available in the repositories is pretty outdated because it's based on Ubuntu's LTS.
2. Cinnamon has some quirks when it comes to Qt applications; they just don't integrate well, and the mouse cursor doesn't match the theme.
3. I want to keep my system current without compromising stability.
I'm considering a few alternatives:
- **Manjaro Cinnamon**: Looks promising, but how stable is it?
- **Fedora with Cinnamon**: Seems newer, but I'd have to do some configuration.
- **LMDE**: Is it really better than the Ubuntu base?
I'd love to hear from fellow Mint users who have made the switch or if you think I should stick with Mint and just rely on Flatpaks/AppImages for the latest software. Thanks in advance!
5 Answers
If you're looking for something that feels polished and has newer packages, I'd suggest trying out Fedora with the KDE desktop. It works really well with dual monitor setups and has regular updates every six months. The only learning curve might be setting up some codecs, but there are guides online that make it pretty straightforward. I've transitioned from Mint to KDE, and I haven't looked back since!
Yeah, I had issues with Qt on Cinnamon too, which is why I switched to KDE on Fedora. It's way more capable!
Consider checking out CachyOS, which is Arch-based and offers a Cinnamon desktop environment. It’s great for having the latest packages and being secure. I switched to it after Mint and haven't had any issues with stability; it’s suited me well!
I had mixed experiences with Bazzite on my gaming rig too; CachyOS sounds intriguing!
Kubuntu could be a solid option if you want a smoother Wayland experience compared to Mint. Plus, you can easily add Flatpak support to your current Mint setup, which many users say brings a lot of more up-to-date packages. It's sold for me, for sure!
Nice tip! I didn't realize Flatpaks had newer versions generally.
Out of your choices, I'd steer clear of Manjaro unless you're really into Arch; it's a little more hassle than it’s worth. If you're okay with a bit of configuration, both Fedora and Kubuntu will serve you well. KDE is great, and you'll find it to be more modern than Cinnamon.
Exactly! If you're testing the waters with Arch, maybe consider Endeavour with Cinnamon instead.
Another option is going straight into Arch with Timeshift for backups. You'll have access to the latest stuff, but just remember that Flatpaks will be handy for apps that require constant updates. The AUR can help with that too!
Good point! I just wish managing updates wouldn't involve a deep dive each time.
Totally agree! I've been using Fedora for a while now, especially with the Atomic images. KDE has been a blast on my gaming rig too.