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In this post, I will perform a simple comparison that will point out the differences between the Ubuntu and Mint systems, and which one will be the best Linux distribution for beginners.

Linux Mint and Linux Ubuntu are the best Linux distributions for beginners, especially for a novice Linux user who wants to experience open-source software without feeling annoyed and confused after switching from Windows or MacOSX to Linux.

Since Ubuntu's launch in 2004 by Canonical, developers have been constantly updating the user interface and developing the source code to suit new users needs. Linux Mint, however, is based on Ubuntu, but it has many impressive features, new updates, and an awesome user interface that made this distribution one of the favorite Linux distros for new users of Linux.

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Setup requirements: Ubuntu vs Mint

The installation process of the two systems is very easy, and works the same way for both distros. You can burn both of them as an ISO image on a flash memory USB or on a self-booting DVD.

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Ubuntu:
512MB RAM (2GB recommended)
5GB of disk space (25GB recommended)
1024 x 768 screen resolution

Linux Mint:
512MB Ram (1GB recommended)
9GB of disk space (20GB recommended)
800 x 600 screen resolution (1024 x 768 recommended)

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Desktop interface: Ubuntu vs Mint

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Linux Ubuntu uses Unity interface which is built on the GNOME interface. It contains the main desktop screen, an indicators section, Unity launcher, applications are always located in the dock menu, and a top menu bar. You can run and view all applications from the dashboard menu when you click the Ubuntu icon.

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Mint comes with the Cinnamon desktop interface, which is easy to use and feels familiar for new users who have switched from Windows to Linux. Applications appear in the main menu and at the bottom of the screen. You will find the launcher menu in the lower left corner of the screen, and system icons in the right pane.

You can say that Linux Ubuntu is somewhat similar to the Apple Mac OS interface, while the Linux Mint interface is similar to Windows.

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Open source programs: Ubuntu vs Mint

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Linux Ubuntu does not come with many exclusive applications, but you can install applications via the installation program Snap Packages, which comes included in the latest versions of the system. Also, you can install GNOME applications easily on Ubuntu, or simply you can use the Ubuntu Software Center to install open source applications.

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While Mint comes with X-Apps interface that is targeting the traditional desktop environment, and it contains many exclusive applications such as Xviewer the image viewer program.

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In general, both distros offer users the ability to install any open source program. But, Linux Mint has an advantage over Ubuntu which is the exclusive applications found in the X-Apps interface that were developed specifically for Linux Mint.

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Conclusion

Both Linux Ubuntu and Linux Mint provide the same support for software and definitions, and both of them are the best Linux distributions for beginners in terms of user interface, the support available online, and availability of the open source programs. But in my personal opinion, I recommend Linux Mint, especially for the new users switching to Linux from Windows because it looks just like it in terms of the Desktop environment, and design.

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Posted on Utopian.io - Rewarding Open Source Contributors

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