Considering Mint, but which one?
 

Considering running Linux on my 2nd/backup machine, now running XP Pro, which is giving me fits updating. Reading a bit, Mint sounded good.

Of course, there are FOUR versions (LMDE 201403, 16 Cinnamon, 16 MATE, 16 KDE).

So, is Mint for me, and which one?


- I would like an OS which will run on my machine (Asus P5B-Deluxe LGA 775, Intel Core 2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz, 2 gig DDR2 333.3 MHz RAM. I would like to dual boot it w/the XP from my 60 gig SSD, which has ~ 49 gig of free space)
- I would like it to run TBird
- I would like it to run Firefox
- I would like it to run GOM video player, if at all possible, or one with similar power/features
- I would like it to run my HP webcam, Epson scanner & Brother laser printer
- I would like it to run Newsleecher or similar
- And what about driver issues? Need my ATI Radeon HD 5400 Series vid card to drive the desktop LCD (VGA) & a remote Plasma (DVI), as it does with XP & Win 7.
- Would rather the OS did not require a 6 week course for an experienced Windoze user to get the most out of it

So is Mint best for me, and if so, which one?????

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Fred

I would suggest Linux Mint Mate 13 LTS after looking at your hardware. It's stable and updates until 2017. I've used it on several different systems with great results. I think it can handle your hardware but the best way to find out is to utilize a Live USB. The Linux Mint website can tell you how to create one (also LQ). That way you can test all your hardware and apps without installing.
Good Luck, if your like me you'll find your booting into Linux way more often than XP.

The ideal way for you to answer your own question is to try them all and stick with the one you like best. You can burn live CDs for each version and try them out. No cost; no obligation. ;) Get the iso's from the Mint website.
jdk

If you are running with older hardware, you might want to look for a lightweight desktop like XFCE or MATE. Good suggestion about the LTS version since it has far longer support. The upcoming Mint 17 is an LTS edition and will receive updates for 5 years.

I'd recommend Cinnamon except that the upgrade procedure is difficult for all Mints with the exception of LMDE.

LMDE is basically a version of Debian and it upgrades in place - other Mints upgrade via a replacement of your current system.
So LMDE is a bit less up todate, but more reliable system.

Firefox and Thunderbird are upgraded immediately.

When trying a new distro, I always stick to the basic default system first, and in Mint's case I would go ahead and try the cinnamon version. The Mint folks are the primary devs on cinnamon.

Supposedly. At the end of may if you can wait. Clem said that the new LTS based on Ubuntu 14.04 will be released.

It would be what I would do. Wait.

LMDE is based on a rolling-release version of Debian, which has no versions, but is continuously updated. The advantage is that you never need to install a new version. The disadvantage is that sometimes things break. Mint tries to minimise the risk by checking the updates and delivering them in monthly bundles, but they do want you that it's probably not ideal for beginners. If the idea of a rolling-release appeals, PCLinuxOS is probably safer.

The other versions of mint just differ in the GUI:
Mate is plain, more like XP
Cinnamon is a bit fancier to look at
KDE is riot of special effects — zooming and bouncing icons — that delight some and irritate others

You'll have the same software available or installed in each, with Thunderbird and Firefox. For media players, see
http://linuxappfinder.com/multimedia
For Usenet, try Pan.

I would say Linux Mint 16 Cinnamon and my guess is going to be that the only trouble you may run into (if any at all) will be in getting that HP cam running in a way that is satisfactory to you.