That's funny. These days I have had to resurrect several teams, some of them 32bits and some others 64bit. For 32bits, my choice was LMDE 6, but simply because it was what worked on them. For the 64-bit ones I have opted for Linux Mint MATE, and in this article I am going to explain the reasons. What's funny is that my partner Diego thought something similar to me at the same time, although he has a different opinion and recommends Linux Mint Xfce to replace Windows 10.
In the Linux blogosphere, or the blogosphere in general, articles are often published talking about how well chromeOS Flex works on old equipment. I see a couple of problems with this recommendation: the "Flex" edition is limited and does not support Android applications, in addition to not being a traditional Linux. The other problem is when chromeOS Flex is recommended on computers that are not even 10 years old and that can work perfectly with many Linux distributions. But well, for a long time I have thought that "the real chromeOS Flex", for resurrecting computers, is Linux Mint MATE.
What makes Linux Mint MATE a great option
After trying it on low-resource teams, in several that are around 15 years old, Linux Mint MATE is what I liked the most. There are other great options like Debian in its LXQt edition, but a good distribution stops being good when, for whatever reason, it is not even able to start the installation drive. I leave the advice here: if it works for you, Debian LXQt is very good, but I still prefer Linux Mint MATE.
All official Linux Mint flavors – not LMDE – have Ubuntu LTS base. You may like it more or less, but Ubuntu is the most popular Linux-based operating system, and almost all the documentation we find on the Internet is explained for the Canonical system or, failing that, its father, Debian. Therefore, we have not only information, but support from the developers: almost all programs are in .deb format as well as in .rpm.
The best: balance between performance and flexibility
Linux Mint's MATE is not like Linux Mint's MATE Ubuntu MATE. Martin Wimpress uses a purer MATE, in fact it is his team that develops it. Ubuntu MATE can be another good option for medium-low resource computers, but it requires more than Linux Mint. The reason may be easy to understand: decorations and functions weigh. Ubuntu MATE is more complete than its "cousin" in Linux Mint, and offers options such as different interfaces, with Mutiny - simulates Unity -, Cupertino - simulates macOS - or Redmond - simulates Windows -, but if what we want is something that works with a certain lightness and we don't care so much about the image, Linux Mint MATE moves better.
Clem Lefebvre's team has decided to use a “LXQteized” MATE. The bottom panel is reminiscent of Lubuntu and you cannot do things like add launchers to the panel by drag and drop by default. The settings, programs and libraries are those of MATE, but it is very different from Ubuntu MATE. The RAM it consumes usually stays at about 600MB, which is just over a quarter of 2GB. Is it little? Taking into account how it works, which does not feel heavy, the number says that it could consume less, but the solvency and general balance say that it is fine.
Linux Mint MATE is only for 64 bits
Linux Mint MATE, such as Xfce and Cinnamon editions, It is only available in 64-bit version. This is an insurmountable obstacle for devices with i386 architecture, but something very positive for AMD64 devices. Most software today is available for amd64, and those looking to the future also compile it for arm64. What I mean is that if we install Linux Mint MATE we will have a real and traditional Linux operating system, and we will be able to install Chrome, if we want to use the Google web browser, InkScape, GIMP and everything we need. This is not the case on a 32-bit system.
Although there are other options, for me Linux Mint MATE is the best of all. The reason is what I have been resurrecting with this option. And the final test has been a piece of equipment that I use to test installations. A team that is more dead than alive. That team has had KDE neon, Manjaro Xfce and FydeOS. The last one was light, but support for Android closed unexpectedly. With Linux Mint MATE it simply works. It is solvent. And like that team, all the ones I have resurrected. No less important is that I have not seen any case in which I have not been able to install it, although it is possible that it happens, as with any distro.
Is it worth replacing Windows 10?
I promise you that Diego and I have not agreed to write about this topic nor is Linux Mint promoting anything. But the fact is that we have both written about mint-flavored Linux for similar reasons and at the same time. And since he has talked about Windows 10, which will stop receiving support in 2025, I comment on the move a little above. The protagonist system of this article yes it can replace Windows 10, but it depends on many factors. You have to know that Linux is not Windows and that some applications cannot be used even with WINE combined with Proton and other tools. For more information, I refer you to his article.
If what you are looking for is a user-level operating system So that a computer that came with Windows 10 does not run out of support next year, the answer is simply yes. Several of the computers that I have resurrected came with Windows 10, although they originally had Vista or 7.
What is clear is that Linux Mint is a good option, and even more so in its versions with light desktops. If you have equipment that could work better, mint may be the answer to more than just bad breath.