By Martin Jansen, Owner of Jansen-PCINFO
I have a limited number of computers that can be tried using Linux Mint Cinnamon, before they are purchased.
What are the benefits of using Linux Mint over that product by Microsoft?
- Linux Mint is a lighter operating system that runs well on only 4GB of RAM.
- Linux Mint is full featured with many applications like LibreOffice preinstalled.
- Linux Mint is simple and familiar, with a menu system like that of Windows 7.
(See the desktop image above) - Linux Mint is free and open source running well on newer and older hardware.
- Linux Mint has thousands of open source applications that can be installed via the Software Manager.
- Linux Mint is quickly updated with no long delays or percentages of installation.
- Linux Mint can be integrated with Google, Owncloud, Flikr and Microsoft accounts.
- Linux Mint just works, it’s safe and it doesn’t break.
And what about Microsoft Windows, despite many using the 10 and 11 versions, are they happy?
- Windows 10 and 11 are heavy operating systems requiring at least 8GB of RAM.
- Windows 10 and 11 does not come with Microsoft 365 installed, pay extra on a subscription basis year after year.
- Windows 11 has changed the user interface again, not easy to find the settings needed.
- Windows 11 requires a TPM 2.0 chip installed and will not run on older hardware.
- The Windows Store is limited and software often costs extra.
- Updating Windows can take a long time making the computer unavailable.
- Windows is increasingly Microsoft centric, compelling people to use their products.
- Windows has increased security over the years, but basic design is layered with many interfaces, still a major target of malware thieves.
- Windows gets “garbaged up,” a fresh install seems fast, but as applications are installed it gets slower and slower over time.
So, if you are interested in trying something new (other than Windows) on a computer, contact me at mjansen3598@gmail.com and I will set up a computer to try, customized for your use. These are used computers that are fully functional. If you don’t like Linux Mint, thanks for trying and no hard feelings. If you want to keep the computer the cost will be $100 or less. I’ll even throw in a few lessons to familiarize you with the basics of the operating system.