Linux Mint - Meyer Computer Mini Review

A Windows User’s First Real Experience With Linux

Discovery

When I first started exploring Linux, I wanted a version that felt familiar and easy to learn. Like many Windows users, I wasn’t looking for a complete culture shock. I wanted something stable, simple, and beginner-friendly. After spending time researching online and watching YouTube reviews, one name kept appearing over and over again: Linux Mint.

I quickly learned that Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, which is one of the most popular Linux operating systems in the world. Because of that, Mint benefits from Ubuntu’s large software library, security updates, and community support while still offering an interface that feels surprisingly similar to Windows.

For someone moving away from Windows for the first time, that familiarity matters a lot.

Installation

I downloaded the latest Mint ISO from the official website and used that version for all of my installations. Like all Linux distros, updates are released frequently. However the updates are not forced on the user like they are with Windows. This is the Linux distro that I have used the most will share 3 of those experiences here, although I have probably installed it over a dozen times on assorted hardware at this point.

#1

My first installation was inside Hyper-V on a virtual machine. The installation was fast, smooth, and required very little effort. I mainly wanted to compare the operating system to Windows without risking any real hardware changes. After spending some time with it, I liked what I saw enough to move on to a real computer.

#2

Next, I pulled an old HP desktop out of storage. The system was over a decade old and powered by a second-generation Intel Core i3 processor. I upgraded it with 8GB of spare RAM and installed a new 512GB SSD. Using balenaEtcher, I created a bootable USB installer and loaded Linux Mint onto the machine.

The results honestly surprised me.

That old computer suddenly felt usable again. Boot times were quick, programs opened fast, and the desktop experience felt smooth. For roughly $35 in replacement parts, I ended up with a fully functional Linux PC that performed far better than I expected. This is one of Linux’s biggest strengths. Unlike modern versions of Windows, Linux Mint can run very well on older hardware with limited system resources.

#3

Later, I moved the SSD into a much newer tenth-generation Intel Core i3 desktop that had been abandoned by a former client. Linux Mint recognized the hardware immediately and booted without any major issues. Modern Linux distributions are much better at detecting hardware than they were years ago.

One thing worth mentioning is that hardware swaps tend to work more smoothly when staying within the same processor family. Moving from Intel to Intel generally works well, while switching between Intel and AMD can sometimes create driver or boot complications. That applies to both Linux and Windows systems.

Hyper-V Settings for Mint

The following assumes you have some experience with Hyper-V. These are the minimal hardware settings that worked for me to create a new virtual machine in my test environment. You will need to specify your paths accordingly. If you are installing this for regular use, you will want to give the VM more memory and disk resources or dedicated hardware.

• Security = Secure Boot Disabled
• Generation = 2 (IMPORTANT! - Will not boot if set incorrectly.)
• RAM = 4096 or more, (non-dynamic)
• Virtual Processors = 2 or more
• Virtual Hard-Disk = 100 Gig or more
• Network Adapter = vSwitch
• Integration Services = Check everything
• Checkpoints = disabled
• Page Files = disabled
• Autostart = None
• Automatic Stop = Save

Start the VM, proceed through the setup process, assign your administrator password and your good to go!

Windows Hyper-V Video Settings for Debian Based Distros

One issue I noticed while testing Debian-based Linux distributions in Hyper-V was display scaling and screen resolution support. Unlike Windows virtual machines, expanding the VM window does not always automatically adjust the Linux display resolution. In some cases, the resolution options available within the operating system are also very limited.

Fortunately, there is a workaround involving a small modification to the GRUB bootloader configuration. By manually specifying the desired screen resolution in GRUB, it is possible to improve the display experience and use larger resolutions within the virtual machine. This can make Linux much more comfortable to use, especially on high-resolution monitors.

If needed, Meyer Computer can provide additional instructions for making these GRUB display adjustments in Debian-based Linux distributions.

Printer Driver

Printer setup was one of the biggest surprises during my testing.

My network-connected Brother Industries laser all-in-one printer was detected automatically by Linux Mint. I did not have to hunt down drivers or install extra software just to print documents. It simply worked.

That experience was actually easier than some Windows printer installations I’ve dealt with over the years.

Scanning may still require additional software depending on the printer model, but basic printing support was painless.

Wi-Fi Support Depends on Your Hardware

Wi-Fi support turned out to be a mixed experience.

At first, I tried using a TP-Link USB Wi-Fi adapter, but I could not get the drivers working correctly. After wasting enough time on it, I switched to a TP-Link internal Wi-Fi card that used an Intel chipset instead. Linux Mint recognized the card immediately and connected without any additional setup.

That taught me an important lesson about Linux compatibility. Hardware matters.

Intel-based Wi-Fi chipsets tend to have excellent Linux support, while some third-party adapters can be difficult to configure. Before installing Linux on any computer, it is worth researching whether your Wi-Fi hardware has reliable Linux drivers available.

Windows File Sharing Worked Great

Linux Mint handled Windows file sharing far better than I expected thanks to Samba support.

Connecting to shared folders on Windows systems worked almost exactly the same as it does on another Windows PC. After entering the network credentials once, the shared folders remained accessible until shutdown. I also liked being able to bookmark network shares directly inside the file manager for faster access later.

For homes or businesses using mixed Windows and Linux environments, this compatibility is extremely important.

Software

One concern many Windows users have about Linux is software compatibility. Thankfully, Linux Mint includes a built-in Software Manager that makes finding applications simple.

I installed familiar programs such as OBS Studio, VLC media player, LibreOffice, Visual Studio Code, and Steam. Most of them looked and behaved almost exactly like their Windows versions.

Gaming on Linux has also improved dramatically in recent years thanks to Steam Proton compatibility. While not every game works perfectly, Linux gaming is far more practical today than it was even five years ago.

Still, there are limitations. Some popular Windows software simply does not exist on Linux. Adobe Acrobat, for example, is unavailable in native Linux form. In those cases, users must find alternative applications and adapt to new workflows. That adjustment period can take time.

Linux Mint: My Overall Impression

Out of all the Linux distributions I’ve tested so far, Linux Mint 21 Cinnamon has been the easiest to use.

The installation process was fast, the interface felt familiar, and the operating system remained stable throughout most of my testing. In many ways, it feels like what Windows used to be years ago: lightweight, responsive, and focused on getting work done instead of pushing online services and advertisements.

I experienced no crashes during daily use, and performance on older hardware was impressive. For beginners looking to move away from Windows, Linux Mint is one of the best starting points available today.

Final Thoughts on Linux

Linux is a completely different ecosystem from Windows, and there is definitely a learning curve. The command line alone can feel intimidating at first, especially for longtime Windows users. I still find myself searching Google and YouTube regularly to solve problems and learn new commands.

That said, Linux also offers real advantages.

It runs exceptionally well on older computers, avoids much of the bloat found in modern Windows installations, and gives users more control over their systems. Linux Mint, in particular, does an excellent job making Linux approachable for beginners.

At this point, I am not quite ready to abandon Windows entirely, but Linux Mint has absolutely earned my respect. For breathing new life into aging hardware or building a lightweight secondary PC, it is hard to ignore how capable and efficient Linux has become.

I’ve also started keeping personal notes about Linux commands, fixes, and setup tips during this learning process. Eventually, I may turn those notes into a downloadable guide for other beginners making the jump from Windows to Linux.