First look: Linux Mint 21 beta, on a 10 year old Mac!

Veronica Explains・2 minutes read

Veronica tests Linux Mint 21 beta on a 2012 MacBook Pro, encountering initial Wi-Fi issues but easily resolving them with an external adapter. Despite problems with Nvidia drivers causing overheating, she plans to continue testing the distro, highlighting its user-friendly features and essential maintenance tools.

Insights

  • Linux Mint 21 beta, code named Vanessa, is praised for its beginner-friendly approach, including proprietary drivers for older laptops, showcasing a well-maintained and stable distro with a passionate community.
  • Veronica's experience testing Linux Mint 21 on a 2012 MacBook Pro highlights the ease and speed of installation, along with essential tools like System snapshots and Timeshift backup, despite encountering issues with Nvidia drivers, showcasing the distro's commitment to user-friendly features and troubleshooting capabilities.

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Recent questions

  • What are the key features of Linux Mint 21 beta?

    Linux Mint 21 beta, code named Vanessa, is praised for its passionate community, stability, and inclusion of proprietary drivers for older laptops. It offers fractional scaling options, a user-friendly welcome screen, system snapshots, Timeshift backup feature, and a unique speed test during updates. The Software Manager provides a user-friendly interface similar to an app store, with Flatpak installations available. Various applets, such as a weather applet and KDE Connect, enhance user experience with customization options.

  • How does Linux Mint 21 beta handle driver installation?

    Linux Mint 21 beta includes a Driver Manager that successfully finds and installs necessary drivers, even for older laptops like the 2012 MacBook Pro. Despite initial Wi-Fi issues, using an external adapter allowed the driver manager to install the required driver. The system also reinstalls network drivers without needing an internet connection, showcasing its beginner-friendly approach to driver installation.

  • What issues did Veronica encounter while testing Linux Mint 21 beta?

    Veronica faced challenges with Nvidia drivers causing overheating, prompting her to disable the dual graphics business and use the standard open-source graphics driver. Despite this setback, she plans to troubleshoot and continue testing Linux Mint 21 beta. The installation process, although smooth, required some adjustments to address driver compatibility issues, highlighting the importance of thorough testing.

  • How does Linux Mint 21 beta prioritize system maintenance?

    Linux Mint 21 beta emphasizes system maintenance through essential tools like system snapshots and the Timeshift backup feature. These tools ensure data security and system stability, allowing users to revert to previous states if needed. The Driver Manager's ability to reinstall network drivers without an internet connection further showcases the distro's commitment to user-friendly maintenance solutions.

  • What customization options does Linux Mint 21 beta offer?

    Linux Mint 21 beta provides customization options such as panel customization, auto-hide features, and various applets like a weather applet and KDE Connect. Users can personalize their desktop environment to suit their preferences, enhancing the overall user experience. The Software Manager also offers Flatpak installations and a unique speed test during updates, adding to the customization and user-friendly features of Linux Mint 21 beta.

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Summary

00:00

"Linux Mint 21 Beta: Vanessa's Review"

  • Veronica introduces Linux Mint 21 beta, code named Vanessa, as a distro with a passionate community, well-maintained, and stable.
  • She decides to test Linux Mint 21 beta on a 2012 MacBook Pro, without prior research on compatibility.
  • Linux Mint is praised for including proprietary drivers for older laptops, making it beginner-friendly.
  • Veronica quickly flashes the beta to a flash drive and installs it on the MacBook Pro.
  • Initially, Wi-Fi doesn't work, but after using an external adapter, the driver manager successfully finds and installs the necessary driver.
  • The installation process on the MacBook Pro takes 109 Bop-It turns, showcasing the ease and speed of the process.
  • The first boot reveals fractional scaling options, a clean desktop environment, and a user-friendly welcome screen.
  • System snapshots and Timeshift backup feature are highlighted as essential tools for system maintenance.
  • The Driver Manager successfully reinstalls the network driver without requiring an internet connection.
  • Despite encountering issues with Nvidia drivers causing overheating, Veronica plans to troubleshoot and continue testing Linux Mint 21.

14:41

Linux Mint: Customizable system with unique features.

  • The dual graphics business is disabled for now, using the standard open-source graphics driver.
  • Updating the system is recommended, with a local mirror option available.
  • Linux Mint provides a speed test during updates, a unique feature not common in other distros.
  • The system is on version 5.15, with the ability to customize the panel and auto-hide features.
  • The Software Manager offers a user-friendly interface similar to an app store, with Flatpak installations available.
  • The distinction between Flatpak and regular package installations could be clearer in the Software Manager.
  • Linux Mint offers various applets, including a weather applet and KDE Connect, enhancing user experience with customization options.
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