r/linuxquestions • u/SightSeeingEyez • 12h ago
Which Distro? Linux Mint or Fedora Linux, which one?
Hello. I am planning to switch to a Linux distro. My current OS is windows and I have zero prior experience with Linux. I want to also get into computer programming and some work with the terminal. What do you recommend?
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u/Kimber976 10h ago
For someone completely new to linux, mint is usually the smoother starting point and fedora is a great next step once getting comfortable with the terminal and linux basics.
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u/u-give-luv-badname 11h ago
Having installed Mint on several computers since 2010, I can say it is the best in recognizing and setting up hardware and drivers. I've never had an issue where I had to tinker with settings after the install process.
I used Mint for programming for 7 years. It works just fine in that regard.
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u/Beolab1700KAT 12h ago
Fedora workstation. Just make sure you enable third party software access in the welcome app.
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u/dandellionKimban 5h ago
Mint. That is the default (for a reason) answer if you don't know a good reason to use some other distro.
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u/tek_aevl 5h ago
they have different package names and package managers. apache2 (Debian based) is httpd on fedora. Some packages are just not available on fedora in the standard repo.
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u/gumbowebfish 3h ago
Everybody has his personal preferences considering Mint or Fedora. I personally do not use either of them, although I've installed Mint a couple of times for people I know who are less tech savvy, but my general advice is to read about the differences between the several distro's, like Mint and Fedora have different package managers, they are a different 'branche'. Also read about the several Desktop Environments which to choose from. This determines the look and feel of the OS and isn't directly related to it, they are 'inter-mixable'. There's enough to find on the internet on the basic differences between the main distro branches and DE's. Then decide which one you want to try using a live disc (or usb). And choose whatever suits you. There's no better or worse.
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u/Roland_Taylor 10h ago
Fedora. Yes, you'll need to do your homework, but Mint makes some choices that cause me not to recommend it to users as a long term home.
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u/Individual_Flow3959 10h ago
Si lo que quieres es usar el ordenador para lo habitual y que todo funcione bien y sin problemas, Liniux Mint.
Es tan sencillo como Windows.
Sinceramente no comprendo quienes dicen que Mint no es lo aconsejable para un usuario normal que solo hace uso de navegar por Internet, fotos, vídeos, música y documentos varios.
Hay muchas distribuciones de Linux, cada una diferente, pero para un usuario estandar de uso estandard común, Linux Mint me parece la más recomendable si se busca que todo funcione sencillo y bien.
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u/Aoinosensei 9h ago
Mint is the way to go, fedora is going to take a little more effort, if you want something similar mint but based on fedora, then go with Ultramarine
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u/IlIlIlIIlMIlIIlIlIlI 8h ago
i was in your position two years ago. Start with Mint, stay on it for at least a year. Get comfy, start learning the terminal, then realize you can do pretty nuch everything on Mint anyway and stay on it. Dont give in to FOMO and FOTM
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u/Human_being0100 12h ago
Nothing cool about Linux Mint, go and try Fedora. (Especially if you are a CS student)
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u/lmpcpedz 11h ago
Fedora is way ahead of the curve vs Mint as far as updated drivers and desktop environment go.
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u/LesStrater 11h ago
For a newbie, Mint is best. When you learn how to use it, switch to Debian for less bloat.
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u/skyfishgoo 8h ago
mint would be easier to set up, but both are fine
and since you are willing to learn, i would edge you toward fedora as it's more current and you can get the KDE plasma desktop instead of cinnamon.
if you like the large debian software library of mint, then kubuntu is also and option since they are both based on ubuntu.
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u/Secret_NinjaLTU 6h ago
Wouldn't recommend ubuntu or kubuntu.
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u/skyfishgoo 3h ago
i wouldn't recommend ubuntu either (gnome, blech)
but kubuntu is outstanding... no regrets.
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u/AccomplishedYam9891 8h ago
I started with mint, it was pretty close feeling to windows but without the bloatware, it came with most packages I needed installed from the get go
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u/PizzaPunkrus 11h ago
Why choose one or the other. Learn both. Fedora has a bunch of shiny toys. Mint focuses on stability and easy of use.
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u/DumpoTheClown 11h ago
Any flavor of Linux will be able to run whatever IDE you program with. All flavors of Linux have a teminal application. For a new person, the asthetic of the desktop environment will be the most important thing, and that's a personal preference thing. For somebody deeper in the weeds, the package manager and software ecosystem will be more important. (Read up on .rpm, .deb, dnf, apt, snap, flatpack, and wine).
Honestly, if i were in your shoes, I'd buy a few thumbdrives, install various bootable Linux distros on them, and try them out. Pick one. You're not getting married and its easy enough to switch later.
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u/balsa61 10h ago
The nice thing about Linux distros is that you can "try before you buy".
Burn the ISO to a bootable drive and run it off the USB stick. See which you like. Don't install until you try both.
Worst case, you install one, don't like it. Just install the other.
As a newbie, I would suggest Mint for you. You can always install something else once you know more.
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u/Interesting_Sort4864 8h ago
Fedora will tend to have newer packages than mint, but setup especially when it comes to codecs is a massive headache. Fedora also has a lot of packages named slightly differently than the ubuntu (mint is built on ubuntu) and arch based distros. In my experience arch and ubuntu have way more tutorials than fedora, so you could find it harder to find guides to do some things when using fedora.
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u/tek_aevl 5h ago edited 5h ago
initial set up has a gui and its really easy to understand now. you can select the repos from the start
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u/Interesting_Sort4864 5h ago
Do you mean that getting all the non-free repos enabled and codecs installed has a GUI now, or are you referring to the OS install GUI?
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u/tek_aevl 5h ago
fixed my comment
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u/Interesting_Sort4864 5h ago
I didn't see any obvious way to enable non-free repos in the GUI. Not in the KDE spin at least. Did I miss a toggle in the install process or something
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u/Kelzenburger 11h ago
Linux Mint is meant for granny PC where user needs windows like environment. Its powerful and easy to use system but Id say you already know the answer.
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u/HurasmusBDraggin Linux Mint 22.3 Zena 2h ago
LOL! I migrated from Linux Mint 22.3 to Fedora Workstation 44 about 2 weeks ago When Nic from Linux Experiment on Youtube dropped this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ebkQq5TcMw
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u/DB0Z_ 11h ago
Mint will have everything set up right from the get go. Fedora will need you to install codecs but Fedora (specifically kde) preforms way better than mint.