(Credit: Zain bin Awais/PCMag Composite; Microsoft/Linux Mint)
I'm a fan of Windows 11, but Microsoft's desktop OS isn't for everyone. Whether you don't like Copilot, can't upgrade from Windows 10, or want to embrace open-source software, several alternative OSes don't require you to buy new hardware or use AI. One possibility is Google's ChromeOS Flex, but it's fairly limited, even compared with the version you get on a Chromebook. A Linux distro, and Linux Mint in particular, could be your next OS, especially because its interface is surprisingly Windows-like.
For a change of pace after a somewhat tepid year of Windows releases, I decided to spend some time working in the popular Linux distro. Installing Linux Mint isn't a major ordeal, but I nonetheless decided to set it up on a live USB drive. Although I found that the OS is still missing some key capabilities of Windows, I largely enjoyed the experience and even discovered quite a few things it does better. Here's what stood out the most.
1. Price: No License, No Catch
Linux Mint is completely free to download, but a standalone Windows 11 license isn't. If you plan to build your own PC and want to run Windows, you have to pay either $139 for the Home Edition or $199 for the Pro Edition. (Here's a look at the difference.) Windows is preinstalled on most PCs, of course, though that factors into the price you pay for your hardware.
2. System Requirements: Minimal Hardware, Maximum Performance
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)You can run Linux Mint on any traditional AMD- or Intel-based systems. The latest version runs only on 64-bit systems, but you can still install an older version on 32-bit machines. (Unofficial versions are available for Arm-based systems.) The installer size for even the biggest flavor (or version) of Mint is a mere 3GB—a fraction of the size for macOS Tahoe and Windows 11. The leaner storage requirement carries over to lower RAM requirements (2GB); the lack of telemetry, updaters, and other background processes means fewer processes need to run. All of this results in Mint running faster on weaker hardware.
3. Interface: A Cleaner Desktop Without the Clutter
Interface elements in Windows 11, such as the Start menu and Settings app, have become increasingly cluttered in recent OS updates. For example, the Start menu in Windows is no longer just a launchpad for the apps you need most often. It can now include a mobile sidebar, clusters of app icons, and recommended apps, files, and Microsoft services.
(Credit: Linux Mint/PCMag)Mint uses clear, simple, and well-organized panels. Some standard interface elements, however, including the Files app and the virtual desktop interface, look similar to their Windows counterparts, which are already quite simple. I do like that Mint's Files app allows for regular expression searching, and that many functions use the same keyboard shortcuts as in Windows, too. The Windows key, for example, opens the simpler main Menu in Mint.
4. Customization: Three Flavors, Three Very Different Experiences
(Credit: Linux Mint/PCMag)Although Windows offers Home and Pro editions, the differences between Mint's flavors are much more dramatic. You can choose among the standard Cinnamon Edition, the classic MATE Edition, and the lightweight Xfce Edition, each with a different desktop environment (interface). You get a few extra features with Windows 11 Pro versus Home, but the three flavors of Mint completely change how you interact with the OS and how it looks.
5. Live USB Drives: A Risk-Free Way to Test Drive Linux
Microsoft lets only enterprise customers run Windows from a live USB drive, but Mint opens that option to everyone. That makes it easy to try out, especially if you don't want to make permanent changes to your system. Just note that if you go the live USB route, all your apps, files, and settings will be lost each time you exit and return to the OS by default. You can, however, format your Linux Mint USB with a persistent partition.
6. AI: No Copilot, No Assistants—Just an OS
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)I'll play devil's advocate a bit on this one, since I find the Copilot AI features in Windows invaluable. Nonetheless, I realize that you might not want any AI features present in your OS. If you fall into that group, Mint is a good choice because it has no such AI capabilities. Of course, you can still access AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini, via a web browser.
7. Data Collection: Minimal Telemetry, Maximum Privacy
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)Windows 11 sends usage information to its corporate servers via its telemetry program, primarily to ensure the OS's smooth operation. You can turn off some of the default data collection settings, but not all of them. For its part, Mint only sends diagnostic data to its developers when you specifically use the System Reports Tool. That's a much better policy if you want to keep your data to yourself.
The Trade-Offs: Where Mint Falls Short
My biggest issue with Linux Mint (and one that I think many will share) is that it doesn’t run some major software, such as Adobe Creative Cloud or Microsoft 365 desktop apps. You can often find web versions of major software as well as open-source alternatives, with the exception of professional video editing apps. Some hardware drivers and utilities aren’t available for the OS either.
You also can't link your phone to Mint like you can with macOS and Windows. And although Windows users should be able to adjust to Linux Mint's interface quite easily, it still requires some tech savvy and the occasional use of a command line.
Here's the bottom line: If you need to use professional apps or hardware that it can’t run, Linux Mint isn’t a good option. But if you don't mind adapting to alternative apps or working via a browser, it’s worth sacrificing a USB stick to test it out at the very least. You might even find that you like it better than Windows in some ways.