Linux Mint Forums

You would but as the final release is just round the corner I'd wait for that

and it would be as easy as tossing the disc in and saying 'upgrade', then presto, it's done. or will it involve a more.... complicated process?

Unfortunately it will be a bit more complicated. Nothing that someone who is beginning to feel comfortable with Linux can't do
We have limited resources and a simple upgrade path takes a while to achieve.
Hopefully there will be some .mint file the next time