Ubuntu targets new and casual Linux enthusiasts with its Unity desktop environment, and Linux Mint says the same about its Cinnamon desktop. Each distribution claims to have the end user in mind, and these two distributions offer very similar experiences (unlike Ubuntu vs. Fedora).

Which one will come out on top in the end?

Desktops Compared

Out of the box, Ubuntu and Linux Mint look very different. From colors and icons to the placement of launchers themselves, each distro offers a completely unique experience when compared to one another.

But perhaps the biggest difference between the two distributions is each one's overall direction. Ubuntu is attempting to become a jack of all trades, offering Ubuntu experiences for the desktop, Ubuntu TV and smartphones. Linux Mint on the other hand, is quite content in keeping its original mission of providing a great desktop experience.

For example, Mint offers a typical desktop experience when it comes to browsing your menu, locating installed software and browsing files. Ubuntu however, has sweetened the experience a bit by allowing the Unity desktop to provide a dock for frequently used application, in addition to being able to locate and launch software using the Unity Dash. The idea, of course, is that the Ubuntu approach is easier to navigate. Personally, I tend to disagree, but others seem to enjoy Ubuntu's approach.

Going even further, Linux Mint further departs from Ubuntu in officially providing support for not only Cinnamon, but also the MATE desktop environment. And to further ensure that Linux Mint continues regardless of the path Ubuntu takes, Linux Mint has been slowly working on a rolling distribution based on Debian called LMDE.

Hardware Compatibility

Despite reading a lot of conflicting reports, I've found that both Linux Mint and Ubuntu offer the same level of hardware compatibility. Considering that Mint is based on Ubuntu, it shouldn't be too surprising that they share a level of hardware detection.

Both distributions provide excellent hardware and peripheral detection out of the box, with next to zero extra configuration required. However, when it comes to how certain hardware and peripherals are handled by the distribution, Ubuntu and Mint do differ here.

For example, Ubuntu volume management remains tired and dated. Under Ubuntu, toggling the volume control next to the clock provides me with a single volume slider. Despite the fact that I'm using both a USB headset and the default sound card, one single option is provided unless I click into Sound Settings to change this. With Linux Mint however, the same volume control immediately presents me with both the default sound card and my USB headset. Each has a separate slider, which means I can adjust each device separately without opening up any extra settings.

Next up, we have proprietary driver management. Both Ubuntu and Linux Mint provide tools to manage this, however, Ubuntu has integrated it into the Software and Updates manager. Linux Mint takes a slightly different approach, offering this same proprietary driver management concept in a standalone Driver Manager. The reasoning, according to Mint developers, is that they feel it looks better than the Ubuntu approach. Personally, I think it's really a matter of personal preference.

Software Management

If there was one single complaint I've had about Ubuntu software management, it would be the lack of PPA tools provided by default. Luckily, there are great third party PPA managers out there for Ubuntu users; however, newbies won't know this upon installing their first PPA repo. Instead they'll be left to determine how they wish to handle these repositories later on.

This is another area where Linux Mint really shines. As of Mint 15, users are benefiting from the brand new tool called MintSources. It's similar to Ubuntu's Software Sources management tool but with all of the stuff missing from the Ubuntu offering. Mint offers an improved visual tool for testing out which official repositories are the fastest for your area, a separate PPA section for easier PPA management, and a repository maintenance tool as well.

Next up, we need to address the software center applications provided for each Linux distro. The Ubuntu Software Center is the most commonly known method of software discovery and management on the Ubuntu desktop. Visually, it looks pretty decent. The downside to using the Software Center is that it can be incredibly bloated unless you're running very modern hardware, then it runs just fine.

Linux Mint also has a software management tool called the Linux Mint Software Manager. It works similarly to Ubuntu's own software tool, with the exception that it's a bit less resource intensive and less attractive to look at. Neither distro's software management tool is very appealing, especially when compared to the Linux Deepin Software Center.