I Used Linux Mint for Two Months on My Main PC. I Think Windows is Still the Better Choice [Subscribers]

Like many, I have become very, very frustrated with Windows 11 and even Windows 10. Though things CAN be done to resolve many of the concerns using third-party tools, the fact that the need exists is offensive to me. In fact, I switched to Linux Mint full-time on my main PC for what ended up being two months. This blog post details why I ended up going back to Windows 10.

Linux Mint certainly has more than its share of enshittification, including forced telemetry (at least out of the box), preinstalled bloatware, constant feature updates and changes, forced updates, mandatory Microsoft account sign-ins, and aggressive promotion of its own products and partner software.

There’s no denying that Linux has made great strides in recent years, especially distributions (or “distros”) like Linux Mint. Mint is often highlighted as a perfect entry point into the world of Linux. While I support that in premise, it’s worth diving into the frustrations I encountered while using it daily for two months on my main PC, and why I ended up back on Windows.

Linux Mint is polished, lightweight, and designed to offer an accessible experience even to users with minimal technical knowledge. For those whose computing needs revolve around basic tasks—like browsing the web, sending emails, or writing documents—Linux Mint might seem like a compelling alternative to Windows.

However, the Linux Mint experience can quickly become less smooth and even frustrating for users who eventually need more than basic functionality. Power users, like myself, can face limitations with specific applications, and several of them don’t perform as well on Linux as on Windows. Linux is an after thought.

Here’s why I believe Linux Mint is a good choice for basic tasks: I would argue that Windows is still the better choice for the broader non-tech-savvy community.

1. Linux Mint is Great for Basic Tasks

Let’s start by giving credit where it’s due: if your needs are simple, Linux Mint is a solid option. Mint offers an interface that looks and feels familiar, particularly to people used to the Windows desktop environment. It has a taskbar, a start menu-like application launcher, and intuitive file management. This is why Mint is often recommended to people tired of Windows’ bloated feel or who don’t want to deal with the cost of upgrading to a newer version of Windows.

For basic tasks like:

- Browsing the web via Firefox or Chrome

- Writing documents with LibreOffice (the free alternative to Microsoft Office)

- Checking emails using Thunderbird or an online email service like Gmail

- Watching YouTube videos or streaming Netflix

- Managing simple photo edits with tools like GIMP

Linux Mint performs exceptionally well. The lightweight system boots up fast and doesn’t hog resources, even on older hardware. And because it’s based on Ubuntu, it enjoys robust security features and regular updates.

2. But Mint's "User-Friendliness" Has Limits

Where Linux Mint starts to falter, however, is when users venture beyond the basics. Linux Mint’s reputation for user-friendliness primarily comes from how easy it makes basic tasks. Still, if you need to install more specialized software or tweak your system settings, the experience can quickly become more complex, and less reliable, than on Windows.

Installing Software

Linux has its way of installing software, usually through package managers like APT, FlatPak, or via the built-in software center. While this is great for finding open-source apps, it doesn’t always play nice with proprietary software where Linux is not their priority. Installing software that isn’t available in the repository often requires you to enter command-line instructions, and that’s where many non-tech-savvy users will get lost.

Alternatives to Microsoft Office

While you can use alternatives like LibreOffice or Google Docs, there’s no native version of Microsoft Office for Linux, and many other apps, many of which don’t receive the same amount of developer attention. While solutions like Wine or Bottles let you run Windows applications on Linux, they can be unreliable because most apps aren’t designed with them in mind.

Peripheral Compatibility

With Windows, you can connect a printer, camera, or external drive, and most of the time, it just works after a few seconds of Windows figuring out what it is and what to do with it.

On Linux Mint, you may find yourself troubleshooting drivers, especially with less common hardware. Non-tech-savvy users typically don’t want to dive into forums or troubleshoot through trial and error to make their printer work.

3. The Developer Focus Problem: Linux Apps vs. Windows Apps

Even for power users, application support is one of the significant challenges with Linux Mint and other Linux distributions. While many popular apps have Linux versions, they often lag behind their Windows counterparts’ performance and functionality.

Adobe Creative Suite: I don't use the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, but many do, and there’s simply no equivalent on Linux. However, DaVinci Resolve is an option.

If you’re a designer who relies on Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Premiere Pro, Linux versions don’t exist. Sure, there are open-source alternatives like GIMP (for image editing) and Kdenlive (for video editing), but these programs aren’t as polished or as capable. They can’t always replace the functionality professionals rely on in Adobe’s products. Even the best open-source alternatives fall short when compared to their industry-standard counterparts.

Microsoft Office: Yes, LibreOffice exists, and yes, it’s free and can handle many of the same tasks as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I have relied on LibreOffice for years now.

But anyone who has tried to work on a complex Word document or an Excel file with macros will tell you that compatibility isn’t always smooth. LibreOffice doesn't always cut it for users who rely on certain advanced features, and there's no version of Microsoft Office designed for Linux.

Games and Entertainment: I'm not a gamer, but many games are developed specifically for Windows. While gaming on Linux has improved drastically thanks to platforms like Steam and compatibility layers like Proton, it’s still hit-or-miss. Many titles run perfectly on Windows but either don’t work or require extensive tweaks to get running on Linux. Even for power users, this can be a time sink.

4. Software Support Isn’t as Robust

While Windows can have its bugs, it benefits from being the dominant operating system, so developers prioritize Windows support. For many proprietary applications, Linux versions are nonexistent or an afterthought.

For example, you might find that the Linux version of a popular app lacks features or gets fewer updates than the Windows version. This is especially problematic if you use specialized software for work or productivity, and rely on it.

Video Conferencing: Zoom and Skype

While both are available for Linux, the Windows versions are clearly the priority and their primary focus. For example, I had to schedule Zoom calls on my Mac or second PC, because Zoom wasn't letting me do it on Linux Mint.

Web Browsers: Firefox / Chromium vs Google Chrome

Firefox / Chromium (Linux): Linux has Firefox and open-source Chromium as solid, privacy-focused browsers. They performed well for me, and are often preferred by users who value security and open-source software. Firefox is available on both Linux and Windows, and has similar experiences across platforms.

Google Chrome (Windows): While Chrome can be installed on Linux, it generally runs more smoothly on Windows because many developers target Chrome’s Windows version for optimization.

Chrome’s extensive integration with Google services (Drive, Docs, etc.) and support for the latest web standards tends to be more polished on Windows. Also, some Chrome extensions or web apps may run better on the Windows version of Chrome due to more direct developer attention.

I'm being rather polite there, actually. I had a hell of a time getting Google Drive, or even Dropbox, setup and working on Linux Mint. It was nearly the dealbreaker for me early in those two months.

VPN software: Many VPN providers offer Windows apps with a simple interface for connecting and disconnecting. On Linux, you may need to configure it manually through a terminal or tweak configuration files. I use ExpressVPN specifically, and did get it working on Linux Mint via Terminal, but it wasn't fun.

Windows: Still the Go-To for Non-Tech-Savvy Users and Power Users Alike

In my view, users' frustrations with Windows—like dealing with constant updates or occasional slowdowns—are manageable compared to Linux Mint's learning curve and limitations.

Windows remains the most supported, user-friendly, and widely used operating system for a reason: if it's actually setup properly and the annoyances are fixed, it tends to just work for most people most of the time, whether you're tech-savvy or not. You don’t have to deal with compatibility issues, and you get access to all the apps you’re used to using.

Windows is still the better choice for the non-tech-savvy because it’s designed with their needs in mind, and the broader support ecosystem means fewer headaches down the road.

Developer Focus: Why Windows Gets More Attention

The primary reason for these differences boils down to market share and business priorities. Windows holds over 75% of the desktop operating system market, whereas Linux accounts for around 2-3%.

Developers focus their resources where they’ll have the most significant impact, and make the most money—on Windows, which has a far larger user base. For many companies, developing a Linux version is either an afterthought or not prioritized at all, simply because the return on investment isn’t there.

What This Means for Users

For non-tech-savvy users, this can lead to frustration. Even though Linux Mint offers a smooth experience for browsing, email, and light office work, more advanced tasks or specific software requirements will often challenges that don't exist on Windows.

While Linux has made great strides, developers remain focused on Windows, which results in a more polished and supported experience for most proprietary software.

Final Thoughts

Linux Mint is a fantastic operating system for a specific group of users who only need basic functionality and are willing to learn a few new tricks to maintain their system.

But once you move beyond that, you’ll encounter roadblocks that aren’t present on Windows. And even for power users, Linux applications often play second fiddle to their Windows counterparts, making Windows the more versatile and supported choice in the long run.

In other words, Linux Mint might seem tempting. Still, if you want to avoid the frustrations of learning new systems and facing compatibility issues, Windows remains the safer bet, along with the absolutely necessary third-party tools to make it usable.

To really bring this home, my Mom needed a new laptop. I considered getting her a cheaper Windows laptop and putting Linux Mint on it, but since she's away on house sits for up to 6 months each year, I didn't want to help her deal with the learning curve remotely. In her case, a MacBook Air 15" was truly the best choice. But if she was staying at home, we might have given Linux Mint a try.