The Latest Linux Mint based on Ubuntu 12.04, Linux Mint 13 “Maya” released. The codename related to Mayan Civilisation and word for “Illution” in India. Now they comes with two alternate editions of Gnome Desktop. By completly avoiding the Ubuntu Unity Linux Mint 13 features the choice between a productive, stable and mature MATE 1.2 desktop and the brand new modern-looking and exciting Cinnamon 1.4. These two desktops are among the best available, they’re perfectly integrated within Linux Mint and represent great alternatives to Gnome 2 users. Linux Mint 13 is also an LTS (Long Term Support) release and it will be supported until April 2017.
System requirements:
- x86 processor (Linux Mint 64-bit requires a 64-bit processor. Linux Mint 32-bit works on both 32-bit and 64-bit processors).
- 512 MB RAM (1GB recommended for a comfortable usage).
- 5 GB of disk space
- Graphics card capable of 800×600 resolution
- CD/DVD drive or USB port
Upgrade instructions:
- To upgrade from a previous version of Linux Mint follow these instructions.
- To upgrade from the RC release, simply apply any level 1 and 2 updates (if any) available in the Update Manager.
Linux Mint Download links
| Edition | Multimedia support * | Windows installer | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATE | 32-bit | 64-bit | An edition featuring the MATE desktop | Yes | 64-bit only |
| MATE No codecs | 32-bit | 64-bit | A version without multimedia support. For magazines, companies and distributors in the USA, Japan and countries where the legislation allows patents to apply to software and distribution of restricted technologies may require the acquisition of 3rd party licenses*. | No | 64-bit only |
| Cinnamon | 32-bit | 64-bit | An edition featuring the Cinnamon desktop | Yes | 64-bit only |
| Cinnamon No codecs | 32-bit | 64-bit | A version without multimedia support. For magazines, companies and distributors in the USA, Japan and countries where the legislation allows patents to apply to software and distribution of restricted technologies may require the acquisition of 3rd party licenses*. | No | 64-bit only |
What is new in Linux Mint 13
The New Linux mint 13 is based comes with two desktop environments. Rock solid MATE 1.2 for familiar productive environment and Cinnamon 1.4 for modern looking adventures people.
MATE 1.2
When Gnome 3 released the original Gnome 2 Desktop project abandoned. But now Mint community resurrected the code base to MATE. The latest Gnome 2 codebase was renamed and MATE now provides the same desktop as Gnome 2 under a different name.
Pros:
- MATE is stable and it works on all computers
- MATE is among the most productive and easy to use desktops available.
- MATE continues where Gnome 2 left off and introduces its own incremental improvements.
- MATE comes with support for mintMenu, mintDesktop, Compiz and everything that made Gnome 2 the most popular Linux desktop.
- MATE is built with GTK2, it features more themes and integrates with more applications than any other desktop.
Cons:
- Some parts of Gnome 2 were not migrated to MATE yet and a few aspects such as Bluetooth support might not work as well as they did with Gnome 2.
Cinnamon 1.4
The Cinnamon project started by Linux Mint team to make Gnome 3 desktop more usable. The original Gnome 3 was a radical change from Gnome 2. And not easy to customize for an end user needs. Linux mint team forked Gnome Shell base and developed the Cinnamon.
Cinnamon is built on Clutter and Gnome 3. It’s a modern-looking environment with a traditional and familiar desktop. It features compositing, animations and some unique innovations but it relies on 3D acceleration, lacks some of the features found in Gnome 2 and isn’t yet compatible with every graphics card available on the market.
Pros:
- Cinnamon is among the sleekest and most modern looking environments
- Cinnamon features innovative features and emphasis on productivity with traditional desktop metaphors
- Cinnamon is built on rapid technologies and its development pace is really fast
- The Cinnamon community is very active, and produces a lot of new themes and applets
Cons:
- Cinnamon requires 3D acceleration and might not work well for you, depending on your graphics card and/or drivers.
- Cinnamon is brand new and unfortunately not yet as stable as more mature and established desktops such as MATE, KDE or Xfce.
- Cinnamon relies on Gnome 3 and Clutter, which are also both brand new and going through rapid transformations.
MDM
MDM is a new Display Manager, which code is based on GDM 2.20. It provides graphical configuration tools, themeability, remote, automatic and timed login, event scripting, language selection and it comes with more features than any other Display Manager currently available.
Linux Mint 13 features the following upstream components: Ubuntu 12.04, Linux 3.2, MATE 1.2, Cinnamon 1.4.
Above all these Linux Mint is the most popular linux distribution according to Distrowatch. Also linux mint comes with nice themes and good interface with ease of use.
Related articles
- Linux Mint 13 ‘Maya’ released, just in time for the next piktun (engadget.com)
- Five Reasons to be excited about Linux Mint 13 – LTS, MATE, and more (linuxuser.co.uk)
- Five Things to Look Forward to in Linux Mint 13 ‘Maya’ (pcworld.com)
- Linux Mint 13 “Maya” released! (linuxmint.com)