The Linux Mint team has just released Linux Mint 22, a new major version of the free Linux distribution. With Windows 10’s end of support coming up quickly next year, at least some users may consider making the switch to Linux.

While there are other options, paying Microsoft for extended support or upgrading to Windows 11, these options are not available for all users or desirable.

Linux Mint 22 is a long-term service release. Means, it is supported until 2029. Unlike Microsoft, which made drastic changes to the system requirements of Windows 11 to lock out millions of devices from upgrading to the new version, Linux Mint will continue to work on older hardware, even after 2029.

Here are the core changes in Linux Mint 22:

  • Based on the new Ubuntu 24.04 package base.
  • Kernel version is 6.8.
  • Software Manager loads faster and has improved multi-threading.
  • Unverified Flatpaks are disabled by default.
  • Preinstalled Matrix Web App for using chat networks.
  • Improved language support removes any language not selected by the user after installation to save disk space.
  • Several under-the-hood changes that update libraries or software.
  • Rampsquatch@sh.itjust.works
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    5 months ago

    I made the switch to mint a few months ago. Its astounding to me just how slowly windows boots and I never noticed until I made the switch.

    You got me, Lemmy. I caught the Linux from you and I can’t go back.

    • Buelldozer@lemmy.today
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      5 months ago

      Mint boots SHOCKINGLY fast, like sub 2 seconds, on a couple of systems I have. Its basically as fast as “booting” one of my old Commodore computers!

      • brbposting@sh.itjust.works
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        5 months ago

        <2 seconds from powered off to being able to start to open e.g. a web browser?

        If so that is indeed truly shocking. Curious what your stopwatch says from powered off to a homepage loaded ready to use.

        • Buelldozer@lemmy.today
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          5 months ago

          <2 seconds from powered off to being able to start to open e.g. a web browser?

          So that’s time on a reboot as measured from when the UEFI splash goes away to being presented with the logon screen. That feels roughly the same as Commodore’s “Ready” prompt, at least to me. Although the case can be made that the desktop should be up and loaded too. I’d have to enable “auto logon” to get that one.

          Curious what your stopwatch says from powered off to a homepage loaded ready to use.

          As I said to @[email protected] I’m starting to wonder just how fast I can make it with a bit of work. The hardware is nothing special but after the UEFI screen goes away GRUB comes and goes so fast it’s unreadable and then…you’re just looking at the logon screen.

          Right now that PC is tied up running TestDisk and it’ll likely take another 2-3 days to finish. Once it’s done and I can reboot I’ll do some measuring and tweaking.

        • Buelldozer@lemmy.today
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          5 months ago

          Reboot but a cold start isn’t exactly fair because the Commodore doesn’t have a BIOS / UEFI splash screen. Although now that you bring it up I’m slightly interested in timing it and seeing exactly how fast I can make the cold start process.