Linux Mint and LMDE Compared | DistroWars

Today we look at the differences between Linux Mint based on Ubuntu and LMDE based on Debian.
#LinuxMint #LMDE #Ubuntu #Debian
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00:00 - Intro
07:38 - Installers
12:50 - Linux Mint (Ubuntu)
21:19 - LMDE
27:35 - Conclusions
30:19 - Sponsor - MALIBAL computers
Videos Mentioned:
• Linux Mint vs LMDE: Wh...
• Ubuntu Cinnamon vs Lin...
• Fixing SSD, Encrypted,...
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[@SwitchedtoLinux]

Check out MALIBAL Linux laptops at this link to help support the channel: tlm.li/malibal

[@muligvisstadigvk5956]

Lmde works just as fine (if not better) dont regret the shift from Ubuntu to Debian one second

[@nelsonmacias396]

Hello, that's exactly what I wanted to know... Greetings from Colombia

[@Beryesa.]

I hope they can ditch Ubuntu when needed without much hassle.

[@tetra_punk_choccy_milk]

yeah f*ck company run distros like ubuntu, f*ck canonical and their snaps

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

LMDE 4 ended my distro hopping (HO3) phase. Far better then Ubuntu-based Mint. Currently runnin LMDE 5 and no issues at all, and easy on my old laptop.

[@jonspoonamore3721]

Same here. LMDE4 was the 1st version of LMDE that I thought was 100% stable. Currently on LMDE5 on all my systems. Debian 12 is coming this summer. Which means LMDE6 should be out sometime this next winter.

[@AxerTheAxe]

Curious about what makes LMDE "far better" for you as I am thinking about switching from ubuntu based LM. Would love hear your thoughts!

[@jonspoonamore3721]

@@AxerTheAxe Sorry for a delayed reply. I'm an old Network/System Admin. Started that job in the mid 90's. Cut my teeth on Linux with Slackware in the 90's and on the desktop in the mid 2000's. Like everyone, I distro hopped for years. It wasn't until Linux Mint 3/4 that I switched from Windows permanently. Mate (Gnome 2) was my desktop of choice for years. Things changed for me when Canonical-Controlled Ubuntu started to muddy the waters around 2015/2016. The LM Team saw the writing on the wall where Ubuntu was going and created LMDE. Needless to say... There are 100's of things Canonical has screwed up over the years. The 1st and major issue for me was when Ubuntu 16.04 arrived on scene. With this version, Canonical started treating each newer distro release like it was a beta (just like Windows starting with version 10). From a business stand-point, I can't have Beta Software running on production equipment. So... In 2016, I stopped using all Ubuntu based distros across the board. Now.... To answer your question... On the desktop, I find Cinnamon to be the logical successor to Mate. IMO, Cinnamon combined with Debian is very stable combo. Since I don't ever run bleeding-edge hardware, Debian is a great fit for me on the desktop and servers. Debian's release cycle is quite old compared to Ubuntu. But... You gain great stability for this type of release cycle. If I do need newer software, I will manually install it. Hope I did not ramble too much. :)

[@terryforsythe8083]

I have both Linux Mint Cinnamon and LMDE installed on their respective disks. Other than the differences pointed out in the video, I don't notice any other differences between them once installed and up and running. On LMDE, for my WiFi I had to download the Linux driver from Intel and manually copy it to /lib/firmware.

[@grimvian]

Fighting with Windows drivers for almost 3 decades and just installed Mint as a virtuel machine and it just works, without any issues. Then I persuaded my wife to have a go and drop Windows. Next morning she just started the pc and used it and I did die immediately. Then later she asked me to have our network printer installed and I spent most of my day trying unsuccessfully to install the printer... Now what... hmm. Back to Windows or try LMDE. Noooo, so I tried to install LMDE and the installer had also installed my network printer automatically and with the correct driver. Looked at the installation and found the document scanner and thought it won't work, but it does perfectly. It's it really, really fast to install and most updates does not require restarts and no fight with drivers so far. And a best of all, a Windows user can just use LMDE, fantastic and no install keys or MS telemetry issues.

[@muligvisstadigvk5956]

Hello from Denmark 😊 im running lmde5 on a m2 ssd for 4 month now with my amd Ryzen 6th gen cpu and everything is fine.

[@ArniesTech]

I compared these two on my channel as Well and the conclusion of my discussion was... I go with LMDE 😊❤

[@langlang9326]

I love LMDE so glad i switched and am not switching anymore.

[@diotitus]

Thanks for the assessment Tom! Both Linus mint vanilla and LMDE are great options and I hope they will continue to keep them around.

[@dalriada842]

I had Cinnamon die on one of my brother's laptops with LMDE, after an update. I didn't bother trying to fix it. I just installed Mate and switched to that. My brother was happy with that. I figured it would be fixed in a future update, and I would switch back again then. I can be a lazy SOB at times, especially when I'm providing support for free. :)

[@dwasifarkaralahishipoor2223]

Tried LMDE a few years ago and it seemed kind of rough around the edges. Tried it again last week and I have now switched to it from Mint proper. I only had two problems: 1) Unable to build Audex from source because some libraries were too old, but Asunder is actually better anyway, and 2) The ia32-libs package, needed for my printer driver, is missing. Since it's a metapackage, I figured I'd be safe borrowing it from Vera, and in fact that worked fine.

[@nelsonmacias396]

Hello, so what do you recommend changing from Mint (Ubuntu) to LMDE? sorry for my way of writing, I use google translate, greetings from Colombia

[@christianzee5996]

I have Linux Mint on a tower - works well. However, could not get it to run on my laptop, freezing or not starting at all). I tried LMDE on the laptop and this runs very well. Very slight differences (updates, settings, etc) but easy to cope with.

[@Bomack]

@7:00 I think you meant to say you're "going to give an instant tick to" Linux Mint Debian Edition, not "Linux Mint Ubuntu Edition". Thanks for the great comparison!

[@user-xf4ng5mv4g]

I started using Linux Mint 18 and progressed up the chain to Linux Mint 21. I bought a Lenovo V14-IIL with 20GB of ram, a 512gb Ssd and a 1TB Hdd to replace a low powered laptop. LM 21 didn't want to load, kept blowing up and every time engaged my VPN I had to restart the network manager. I switched to LMDE 5 pretty much worked out of the box and have never regretted the switch. The system is now running the 6.1 kernel that updated on its own and I don't keep loosing my network after engaging my VPN. I run several flatpack KDE programs and they had a tendency to crash but after Linux Mint implemented the automatic flat pack updates, those crashes have become fewer and fewer. I switched to Linux because it allows me more freedom than Windows and now Canonical is taking some of that freedom of choice by banning flatpacks. LMDE forever!

[@Otakubro6]

Seriously they banning flatpak? So then what's the alternative and you can't install the flatpak dependencies? So I am guessing they pushing snap packs?

[@kyle9777]

Lmde just seems faster and more stable plus being a rolling release it just works

[@hhhorb]

Edit- oops. I'm wrong, LMDE is based on Debian testing so it is a rolling release. The following refers to Debian stable... It's not a rolling release. By definition Debian stable is stable. Any Debian updates are point release security updates and anything else are Mint updates, either to their own Mint packages or Mint-specific Debian packages based on Debian backports. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I don't use Mint but I do use Ubuntu and Debian and am familiar with the release models of both, and neither are rolling release. For a Debian-based rolling release, use Debian unstable (sid) or a distrolet based on it, like Siduction.

[@Bareego]

Thanks for this video, answered just the questions I had. I'm happy on Mint XFCE edition and prefer having that hardware manager and easy way to upgrade the kernel, the version of which is also supported, so it's been tested. Just wondering what do people on LMDE do when they want to upgrade their kernel, do they use mainline (which is easy these days as well, I know) ?

[@myd0gr3x]

KOOL 👍... I'm finally going to STL and LMDE will be my choice...

[@bluevanman50]

I have tried to install Linux mint cinammon and LMDE on an old windows 7 laptop. It boots from the CD/DVD drive but seems to be, stuck in an endless loop of copying from the DVD to the HDD. I eventually get the desktop after about 2 hours!!! but cannot click on anything including the install Linux mint icon. Can anyone help? (I'm trying to do what was featured in a Linux magazine)

[@13thravenpurple94]

Great video Thank you

[@Jenny_Digital]

What! Community strikes for talking about that. I think sometimes you speak your mind a little vocally but that’s alright, I like that about you. Don’t let the bath-plugs get you down!

[@BitsOfTruth]

I am kinda new to Linux, but I have 21.1 64bit (of course) and LMDE 32bit because I needed 32bit on my Eee 2010 year Netbook. I don't think LMDE offers Flat Pack on Repository, as I wanted the new Gnome Text Editor. I think it handles new version updates as updates not as 5.x as compared to 21.x. Because when I updated to 21.1 I got a new login sound as 5.0 got this as a regular update. I didn't like the new sound as well so I found a way to change it back. The other sound changes I liked better. The old sound when you plug in a USB device was way overkill. Took me a while to get use to the new spade shape mouse pointer. I was going to change it and did, but when I first entered either OS I was still stuck with the spade, so I left it. Over all i like both Operating Systems well. Oh ya, I could write a book on my install experience of LMDE, (not that anyone would read it), deleting Win Xp once due my own inability to use Gpart. Then struggle with lady on recording to re authenticate. I had to view installer with screen sideways because Netbook screen was not long enough for me the hit ok.

[@williambaldwin9346]

I have a new System76 with a Ryzen 9 7950X with 32 Gigs of DDR5. POP OS came on it, had a few minor issues, like the WiFI sometimes would not show up and had to power it off and come back to it for example. I installed Mint LMDE 5, and there was no driver for the WiFi at all, and bluetooth would not see my mouse. I am now putting the normal Mint on and seams to see everything and is working good.

[@thefishinggamekeeper5713]

I just got linux mint lmde 5 32 bit on my netbook. Jaut wondering for anyhting extra. Like if it will still he supported, how to use it and if steam still works. Also games and casual use. Helps to have abothwr pc around

[@Arrozconchopsticks]

I wish they would give us different DE's for LMDE. Truth be told, I wouldn't be upset if they dump Ubuntu all together. I will admit though, Mate gives me the best experience(performance wise) on my lower end laptop.

[@repairstudio4940]

Your animation is most epic!

[@jamesmason7124]

I have a Panasonic toughbook CF-19z mk8, where can I find drivers for it for Linux Mint please

[@SEAshore842]

I have been running KDE Debian 12 on my laptop for a year. I tried LMDE for a day and switched back. It didn’t provide any sort of experience I felt I was missing out with Debian.

[@Dlaba1973]

Will LMDE accept Timeshift backups made from Ubuntu edition? I am thinking of trying LMDE, but my Ubuntu edition system has quite a few installations that are not from the standard package manager.

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

Timeshift is designed as a system backup, not a file backup. So it is used to keep the same distro, so in the way it is supposed to be used, it would not be practical to change distros. That being said, if you are using it only for personal file backups, it would probably work across distros. However, Linux Mint has the Backup Files application that is better suited for that.

[@psfgtech]

Good info bro

[@derekr54]

I run both versions without any problems at all Tom.

[@unserhaus684]

I like LMDE, because it based on Debian. After using LMDE i switched to MXLinux. It IS also Debian, but with the XFCE desktop. For me it is much faster and user friendly than Cinnamon.

[@LinuxLoader1287]

Nice video 👍

[@anonytuser711]

Great Distrowars, Tomm. How about AlmaLinux vs. Rocky Linux as a replacement for CentOS/RHEL?

[@hopelessdecoy]

What's the hardware compatability like on LMDE vs mint? I want to be on Debian but I hear it's very far behind, where does "cutting edge" start?

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

Linux Mint is more "cutting edge", but when the next Debian comes out (which the next LMDE will be based on), it will resolve some of this with the inclusion of more non-free firmware as an option. I would give LMDE a try first on a flash drive and see how it works.

[@DavidCoutinhoCG]

I've installed Linux Mint 21.1 for my brother pc, since i want something very common and didnt have problems based on ubuntu. but mine is LMDE5

[@ceebee23]

One thing I have run into with LMDE is installing beside Windows is much more messy. Ubuntu based Mint simply asks if you wish to install beside Windows. This is a deal changer for me ... partitioning a hard drive is fraught ...get it wrong and you have a bricked PC!

[@patpopov]

Are we going to get Mint Xfce vs Xubuntu?

[@MnRProdMariolaur]

I have been using Mint Xfce and it's lite on my old 12 year old lap top.

[@davidwayne9982]

I"ve had LMDE6 for a while now--- came FULL CIRCLE after years of distro-hopping- back to where I started. I prefer the DEBIAN... can't see much difference at all-- other than the simple stability of DEBIAN... all the same NEWEST packages-- (I used flatpak for two so they'd be absolutley new).. but other than that-- they're both pretty much exactly the same..

[@manout-kidin8735]

One thing linux mint team can do is copy the concept of "AHS Kernel" offering like MX Linux does. There is no shame in copying a good idea ( if suckerberg can shamelessly do it then why can't Linux mint team ! ) With that LMDE users will get to install it on Newer machines but they should , during installation , give a option to set kernel to newer " AHS kernels " on the very beginning while also offering the same after installation through mint's software update tool . That all it's need . Oh they should also give the new Cinnamon version 😅

[@boringboringboringboring]

Is LMDE a rolling release?

[@hhhorb]

No. Edit- oops. It's based on Debian testing, so yes.

[@bradrawlings9162]

I run Lmde 5 on my 2020 hp desktop with no issues.

[@dsjunges]

On LMDE I couldn't make terminal window transparent .... :( I like it transparent

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

You can do it with css, but not as a direct setting.

[@thomasburns1846]

The problem I had with LMDE is that I couldn't get it to boot after installation with UEFI secure boot enabled. I had no problem booting Mint based on Ubuntu with secure boot enabled.

[@cretsiah2]

@@Acta_Non_Verba_ not on all laptops

[@cretsiah2]

@@Acta_Non_Verba_ it gets worse... because the so called MBR mode on some laptops is actually fake/ virtual.. you will know it by the sudden drop in brightness of the screen, which is not changeable till you re-enable uefi

[@outforbeer]

They should make lmde the main the the Ubuntu version optional

[@wongkemba7485]

For one small notebook, I fail to install LMDE5, it stuck at very beginning. With Mint 20.3, installing is ok. I feel LMDE is better than Mint when using Firefox.

[@PhayzinOut]

LMDE is Mint

[@MnRProdMariolaur]

It's just too bad LMDE is not an LTS and there is no LMDE Mate and Xfce Edition for older PCs.

[@Ben-hg3bz]

Debian support is for 5 years, so I guess it's the same for LMDE

[@MnRProdMariolaur]

@@Ben-hg3bz I went looking everywhere for that info and I can not find anything, is there a site that says that LMBE is a LTS. I know all the Ubuntu backed OS like Linux Mint and Pop! os are LTS.

[@STONE69_]

LTS just means long term support the Mint LTS is for 4 years and LMDE which is Debian is supported for 5 years.

[@MnRProdMariolaur]

@@STONE69_ This is what I get when I Google is LMDE an LTS. More precisely, it is using the packages included in the Debian GNU/Linux 11.2 point release that arrived last year in December. This means that Linux Mint Debian Edition 5 is powered by the long-term supported Linux 5.10 LTS kernel series, which will be supported until October 2023. Mar 17, 2022

[@STONE69_]

@@MnRProdMariolaur The Debian Site Page is a confusing mess for most people. But I'm glad you got your answer even if they don't specify if its LTS

[@trilliji]

I think the mascot for lmde should be the minion with one eye.

[@TheMadRocker]

Well... LMDE 6 was released so your gonna have to do another comparison video..

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

Not yet. It will be based on Debian 12, which will not be out until around June.

[@fabricio4794]

LMDE is a Vasectomic Version of Linux Mint.

[@PhayzinOut]

Better than having Snaps forced on us, which will be the other option if Linux Mint drops Ubuntu

[@AquariusTurtle]

Linux is my favorite distro. For real work, it's the one that least gets in the way. I can even train my grandma to use it because it's simple. The GUI on other distros (e.g. Ubuntu) is confusing as heck and changes so often that you constantly have to retrain. I just wish Linux supported Microsoft Surface Laptop 3's touchscreen, pen input, and display driver out of the box.

[@folksurvival]

Linux is a kernel, not a distro.

[@ScottBeamer]

I have no idea what the H word is referring to.

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

Hypnotix

[@tschaller6774]

I use lmde only myself.

[@The_Wandering_Nerd]

The only distinct difference (at least for me) is that the Debian edition has a different graphics driver or font rendering or something that gives me severe eyestrain and nausea within minutes of me using it, whereas the Ubuntu version does not. This has been my experience on every computer I've tried it on. It's a pity though because I'd really like to get anything Canonical-related off all of my systems.

[@tanujrana8490]

Interesting, considering that amd and Intel drivers **should** be the same

[@TrustJesusToday]

ISS? Really?

[@yusufthe3rd]

LMDE all the way

[@SchoolforHackers]

Snaps. No.

[@JamesGalloway27]

At 24:32 why can't you say h*pnotix on youtube?

[@jimw7916]

there is NO spacestation I promise you.

[@jimw7916]

@@kelvin-nz typical kiwi!

[@jimw7916]

@@kelvin-nz i live in asia!

[@davidwayne9982]

Mint broke something on update-- JUST PROVES what I said below- and what YOU yourself have said-- NO NEED FOR THAT CONSTANT UPDATE CRAP... that's BS.. THat same thing has RUINED the auto industry-- Example- the CORVETTE-- had they kept the original design , it' STILL popular. and shey should have ADDED the new instead of just changing it... like ARCH does.

[@fennyfinari906]

your info is cool but you have the most boring presentation i cant ever stay awake through your vids. I see much of your content i like, but i just cant watch it.

[@Evilatem]

Well, you found a cure for insomnia.

[@TigerPaw193]

So what you’re saying is he should change his entire delivery approach that 60k+ subscribers are happy with just to please you. Just go to some other channel instead.

[@fennyfinari906]

@@TigerPaw193 ok, bye