If you’re new to Linux, or you’ve happily existed in Mint’s easygoing ecosystem for years, you might want to hear what its downsides are. That comfortable feeling may cost you dearly.
Some people make Linux their life, but somewhere between casual use and a long gray beard is a competence that yields much more than you realize. Linux underpins almost everything in the digital world, but that’s only half the story; the other half reveals itself when you start saying “yes.”
A graphical package manager robs you of a transferable skill
It’s atypical on Linux, but we’re all free to choose
Package management was my first venture into the Linux terminal, and I credit it as the gateway to advanced skills. Text-based package management is extremely common on Linux, and its graphical counterparts go largely ignored. Fedora, Arch, Gentoo, Qubes: these are the distros I’ve used extensively, and while they all ship a graphical tool in some form or another, it doesn’t feel like a defining feature.
New users find distros like Mint appealing because they’re built on familiar territory. A Windows-like experience is often cited as a top priority, and a graphical package manager is obviously up there. But those who hang around on Mint long enough will become too accustomed to its comforts, and they’ll miss out on learning the quintessential Linux skill: the terminal.
I’m not suggesting you learn the terminal (but you should); I’m implying that many other Linux systems lean heavily on it. As a terminal-heavy user myself, moving from one distro to the next is often so straightforward that I barely need to think about it.
But everyone is different, and the majority of users (ironically) want a seamless experience without much friction. Who am I to argue? Linux is a free and open ecosystem, and people are free to choose what suits them; it’s how the project grows, both in spirit and as a community.
An all-encompassing graphical environment shields users from Linux
A GUI is a crutch, but it’s understandably alluring to new users
Most long-term Linux users feel right at home in the terminal. A number of them are happy with configuration files and command-line text editors, which form part of the core modus operandi in the Linux world.
Conversely, highly tailored graphical environments shield their users from the gruesome reality that lurks beneath: that Linux distros are all very similar. Such interfaces add a hyper-specific layer that locks people into one particular way of achieving goals. System configuration, software installation, etc., all bind to the graphical environment instead of applying universally. If Mint’s less-experienced users were to change environments, how many would struggle?
However, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Most users are content with a polished GUI and feel that learning lower-level system configuration is an unnecessary burden. At the end of the day, Linux and its distros are products. Products must keep users happy to retain interest. As long as newcomers enjoy Linux, it will keep growing, and with it will come a better and stronger ecosystem. I’m all for that, so Mint users, keep clicking away.
Mint is too comfortable
You’ll miss out on challenge and growth
People choose Mint because it’s easy. For a beginner, I can understand that. But if you’re even remotely curious and you haven’t moved on after a number of years, you’re doing yourself a great disservice.
Growth comes only through difficulty. If your goal is to stagnate, then sitting in Mint’s comfortable wheelhouse is how you do that — as many do. If you want to expand beyond Mint and become an experienced Linux user, though, it means stepping out and trying something new.
There’s nothing wrong with Mint — it serves its users well — but it doesn’t offer the same technical challenge as some other distros. So often, people state that the juice isn’t worth the squeeze, but I disagree. Taking on hard problems is as much about the primary goal as about everything else you pick up while doing them. As crazy as it sounds, learning Arch Linux gradually led me to more demanding projects, like full-stack development, Docker, and Linux deployments. Without the technical confidence gained from Arch, I wouldn’t have taken up Emacs or advanced note-taking, which both fundamentally changed how I tackle projects and even difficult life challenges. In general, one thing always leads to another, but only if you say yes.
In closing, Mint is great at what it does, but not at what it doesn’t. Cast your net further out, and you’ll see long-term changes.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 14″ Aura Edition
Brand
Lenovo
Operating System
Windows 11
CPU
Intel Core™ Ultra 7 258V
GPU
Intel Arc Graphics 140V (Integrated)
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 14″ Aura Edition is a well-built, premium laptop suited to those who need a reliable PC. With an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, it is suitable for a wide range of workloads and some light gaming. The 2-in-1 form factor allows it to work as a conventional laptop or a tablet.
Leveling up goes beyond Linux, but it’s not for everyone
It might seem a little cheesy to say, “Try Arch, it’ll change your life, bro,” but it’s not about Arch, or Linux for that matter. Changing what you do changes who you are. Linux also happens to be a valuable skill, whether you’re pursuing a hobby, business, or a career. You won’t gain crucial experience when sitting in Mint’s comfortable garden, and many now-inconceivable things will pass you by.
But leveling up is not for everyone, and if you’re happy with a system that just works, then Mint is perfect. The more the merrier on Linux.
