I've been enjoying Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop; it's just perfect for my needs. Everything works seamlessly—Flatpaks, codecs, and the application selection is great. The interface feels fast and familiar, which I really appreciate. Plus, the system management tools, like the Update Manager, are top-notch.
However, I'm running into a few issues:
1. The software versions in the repository are pretty outdated because of the Ubuntu LTS base.
2. Qt applications don't look quite right in Cinnamon; they clash with the theme pretty badly.
3. I'm eager to try out newer technologies without major system disruptions.
So, I'm on the lookout for a distribution that captures the polished feel of Mint but also offers more current software and smooth Qt application integration. I've checked out a few options like Manjaro (Cinnamon) and Fedora with Cinnamon, although I'm unsure about their stability. What do you all think? Should I consider alternatives, or would sticking with Mint and just using Flatpaks be the way to go?
4 Answers
Honestly, if you want to try Arch, do it with something like Endeavour + Cinnamon if you're not ready to dive into pure Arch just yet. It’s a more stable option without the headaches of Manjaro.
Kubuntu could be a solid alternative. It has a better Wayland implementation and is generally more modern compared to Mint. If you're set on Mint, adding Flatpak support is super easy, and it can provide you with more recent versions of popular applications.
Have you considered Fedora KDE? It's especially nice if you're into having advanced setups like Wayland or dual monitors. I've switched from Mint to Fedora KDE, and I love it! The best part is that you get a good mix of stable and newer packages every six months. Just be aware that setting up codecs is a bit trickier, but it's still manageable. You can check out this guide to help you out: [Post-Install Guide](https://github.com/devangshekhawat/Fedora-42-Post-Install-Guide).
Another option could be CachyOS, which is Arch-based and incredibly up to date. It even supports Cinnamon! I started with Mint too, but after trying various distros, CachyOS has been the best for me.