In case you’re a learner in the international of Linux, chances are you’ve been advocated to install Ubuntu or Linux Mint as your first distribution. It’s now not a terrible advice; quite the opposite, each distributions are a incredible preference for a first-time users, particularly if you’re transitioning from home windows.

Nevertheless, you is probably wondering – what’s the distinction among Ubuntu and Linux Mint? With such a lot of Linux distributions available, simply all of them need to differ from each other in some way. It’s authentic for Mint and Ubuntu as nicely, even though the variations may not be as hanging as, say, among Ubuntu and Arch Linux. We’ll test numerous features of Ubuntu and Linux Mint to discover how they diverge.

Development

Possibly you understand that Linux Mint is based totally on Ubuntu, but how did all of it begin?

In the starting, there has been Debian, and in 2004 Ubuntu become developed as a separate Linux distribution based totally on Debian’s unstable model with the identical package deal layout (.deb). Two years later, in 2006, the primary model of Linux Mint got here out. It became based totally on Ubuntu (technically, on its KDE flavor referred to as Kubuntu) and used Ubuntu  software program repositories. right here we have the primary distinction: Ubuntu is older than Linux Mint.

Ubuntu additionally has a far bigger group of developers behind it. It’s funded with the aid of Mark Shuttle worth and his employer Canonical which has several subsidiaries with more than 500 employees  internationally. The improvement of Ubuntu and its various sub-initiatives is controlled by way of the Ubuntu Technical Board and several Engineering groups in cooperation with the Ubuntu community Council and neighborhood community teams.

Then again, Linux Mint doesn’t have an elaborate, multinational shape to again it up, and  alternatively relies often on sponsors and donations from customers, as well as on partnerships with different groups. The leader and founding father of the Linux Mint undertaking is Clement Lefebvre, and there are dozens of maintainers and builders organized in groups who help create, translate, test and improve new versions of Linux Mint. The teams are typically based totally in Europe, even though there are a few local groups in Asia.

Naming

Both Ubuntu and Linux Mint have a longtime naming scheme for their releases. Linux Mint traditionally gives every new launch a female call that leads to -a. until 2007, Linux Mint had point releases (2.zero, three.0…) – it switched to essential launch numbers in 2008 with Linux Mint five LTS codenamed Elyssa. at the give up of 2014, however, they back to a degree quantity naming scheme with the 17 LTS launch, that is presently in its 17.1 new release, and 17.2 is planned for June 2015 (it is going to be called Rafaela).
Ubuntu has always had, and nevertheless has, point releases with the version number reflecting the yr and the month of the release. Ubuntu releases are codenamed alphabetically, with the call such as words starting with the same letter. The first word is continually an adjective, even as the alternative

Denotes an animal, typically of an extraordinary species.

In the beginning Ubuntu didn’t follow the alphabetical pattern, so the first two launch names started with W and H, respectively, and there was never a launch named with either A or C. Recent launch is 15.04 Vivid Vervet, meaning it was released in April of 2015. We already know the name of the next release: Wily Werewolf, which is coming out in October this year.

Release Cycles

A latest version of Ubuntu is launched every six months, which comes down to two versions every year, regularly in April and October. Every launch is supported for nine months, after which it reaches “end of life” and stops getting official updates and patches.

They launches LTS (Long Term Support), which get support for five years after they come out. Presently, every fourth version of Ubuntu is a LTS, meaning they come out every two years. We’ve had Lucid Lynx (10.04) in 2010, Precise Pangolin (12.04) in 2012 and Trusty Tahr (14.04) in 2014. The next Ubuntu LTS will be launched in 2016.

Linux Mint tracks the Ubuntu launch schedule, so they also have two new versions per year. However, the schedule is not fixed and new versions come out “when they’re ready”, which is typically a month or two after new Ubuntu releases. LTS versions are present in Linux Mint as well, with support for up to five years. Every fourth version of Linux Mint is a LTS.

The latest LTS, Linux Mint 17 Qiana, is notable for its special release cycle. Instead of switching immediately to Linux Mint 18, the developers decided to backport applications and create a steady system while providing updates on a smaller scale. Thus Linux Mint 17.1 Rebecca was released in November 2014, and 17.2 is coming this year.

Flavors and Editions

Over time Ubuntu has grown to embody several variations for one of a kind gadgets and functions. The principle edition is Ubuntu computer, generally known as certainly “Ubuntu”, and there are Ubuntu Server edition, Ubuntu touch for smartphones and capsules, Ubuntu Cloud pics, and Ubuntu Tv for smart TVs. There’s additionally a model of Ubuntu laptop for Chinese customers known as Ubuntu Kylin, an version bundled with educational software program called Edubuntu, an version for multimedia enhancing called Ubuntu Studio, and Mythbuntu, an Ubuntu edition for building a domestic theater pc.

Flavors, or Ubuntu versions, are variations of Ubuntu desktop with distinct laptop environments set up by using default. the primary Ubuntu desktop version comes with unity, Ubuntu’s own surroundings. different flavors are Ubuntu GNOME, Kubuntu (KDE), Lubuntu (LXDE), Xubuntu (Xfce) and Ubuntu MATE, which has been recognized because the professional Ubuntu taste just this yr.

Linux Mint originates in 32- and 64-bit editions with multimedia codecs included or without them. There’s also an OEM edition for hardware manufacturers. Since 2010, the Linux Mint team maintains a semi-rolling release distribution called Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE). It’s depends on Debian Testing, comes in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, and features a user-friendly installer. But now there are two official flavors of LMDE – MATE and Cinnamon – but users can install any desktop environment they want.

As for Linux Mint flavors, there are Cinnamon (Mint’s own desktop environment), MATE, KDE, and Xfce editions, but only the first two are considered “main editions”. There used to be Linux Mint GNOME, LXDE and Fluxbox editions, but they are no longer actively developed.

Software & Under the Hood

Supplied which you download and install the Linux Mint edition with codecs, you’ll get Flash, Java, and other multimedia necessities set up by using default, while on Ubuntu you have to install them yourself. the selection of default applications is comparable on Ubuntu and Mint – both provide Firefox, LibreOffice, and Thunderbird, but Mint additionally consists of VLC, Pidgin, and GIMP.

Customers can allow the “import” repository in Mint which allows them to easily install Opera, Picasa, and Skype from Mint’s own software manager called mint Install. This utility is simply one in a whole set of smaller utilities developed via the Linux Mint team, including mint Desktop, mint Backup, mint Upload, mint Constructor, and mint Update, a standalone helper application for handling and installing in system updates.

At a distance from that, Mint also has its own desktop menu called mint Menu, and a display manager called MDM, which can replace KDM or GDM and handle the desktop login process. The developers of Mint also modify or patch some applications provided by Ubuntu, such as GRUB, Xchat and Plymouth.

Ubuntu allows users install new applications from the Software Center. It’s worth noting that they include some commercial applications in their offer, requiring users to purchase the software.

Hardware

Ubuntu comes pre-set up on laptop computer systems and laptops on many well-known providers, consisting of Dell, Lenovo, HP, and ASUS. It’s a famous desire for mini-desktops as well, so customers can purchase air of mystery by Entroware or Meerkat by way of System76 – both minimal configurations powered via Ubuntu. However, considered one of Ubuntu’s largest successes is the release of their very very own phone – BQ Aquaris E4.5 – that runs Ubuntu contact.

Linux Mint has partnered with a few projects and companies that make it possible to purchase computers with Mint as the pre-installed OS. The most interesting project is MintBox, a mini-PC produced by Computer Lab. It’s available at an affordable price, and 10% of the earnings goes back into the Linux Mint project.

Plans for the Future

Linux Mint has constantly been recognized for its consumer-pleasant technique, and the developers strive to provide a traditional computer experience that’s suitable for novices and average users alike. while they convey exciting new functions with every release, they’ve typically maintained a truly conservative stance and did no longer put into effect too radical changes. Their computer environment, Cinnamon, will quickly reach version 2.6, that is certain to bring new options and enhancements. due to the fact Ubuntu has switched to system d in this 12 months 15.04 release, it is expected that Linux Mint may even switch to system d in version 18, and in LMDE three. It’s additionally viable that system could be presented as an option along Upstart, which Mint presently makes use of.

on the other hand, the visionaries from Canonical have by no means been afraid to introduce groundbreaking modifications, even on the price of their customers’ loyalty and from time to time the overall stability of the OS. Their cohesion laptop environment divided the user base into folks that love it and those who loathed it – there was hardly any center-ground. With convergence as their remaining aim, builders of Ubuntu are making plans to exchange from X to a new show server referred to as Mir. The switch may be tied to every other trade, that’s introducing unity eight as the brand new default computing device environment. Those modifications are predicted in 2016.

We can also assume a completely exclusive method to software packaging as Ubuntu actions away from .deb programs and PPAs, and starts using its personal product referred to as Snappy, or snap packages. they are speculated to be more comfortable, simpler to port and create, faster to update, and their updates can be incremental, this means that smaller downloads. It sounds interesting, However all we will do now’s wait and see what happens.

And there you’ve got it – these are the most apparent variations among Linux Mint and Ubuntu. Of route, we should evaluate them on other levels; as an example, test percentages of their recognition or depend the languages into which every distribution is translated. nevertheless, this need to be sufficient to help you decide which distro to choose. To make the selection even less difficult, you may use this graphic that suggests the features and variations at a look:

Can you name any other changes between Mint and Ubuntu? Which distribution is your favorite of the two? Tell us in the comments below.