I hope this can help new users to come mint user.
I'm using this for laptops.Many times for my own 2 laptop and few time to my friends 2002-2010 laptops,my now HP 625 32bit /AMD Athlon(tm) II P320 Dual-Core Processor × 2/ram was 2G,now 4G DDR3 used 3.7 /Gallium 0.4 on AMD RS880 and Linux Mint 15 Cinnamon.
We know components of computer give different results.
Go to mint sites
http://www.linuxmint.com/
Click new Linux Mint Cinnamon LTS.Xfce LTS version is light version.
Take 32 bit ,or 64 bit so as your computer.
You can load torrent,or mirror .As load mirror there are you languages more.
It's better load DVD ISO,there are more ready,don't need so much updates.
Burn your isofile to DVD.
When your computer open ,put DVD to DVD drive and restart computer.
If computer ask start from DVD press enter.
Some computers have to set from bios to allow DVD start,them need
to press esc, f2, f8,or f10 to get bios settings.Maybe other f number too.
First is better start from DVD and see how your DVD works.
It's longer load from DVD,so wait as all loaded and main come seeing.
Now you can test movies from usb,or your hard drive.
All works in my computer using this way,only need load from DVD and slower than installed.
Check internet so you can update and use it.
If you want save something from your computer what there are,save them for usb stick,outside hard drive ,or DVD.
You can too install Linux Mint with other operating system,then use it
as intallion ask it,it's first choice.When choice this can use old system and new.
New system load on if don't choice in 10 sec.
Best choice is use only one system and format old.
If all works,install Linuxmint from mark at main.
As install program ask your language,set it you want and keys is good
to test.All special marks come right.
Install ask your time zone,if right press forward.
Install ask name you want to use and password.
Save password for some where you can find it later,you need it for updates and installs.
Wait so long as install ask if you want test more,or restart for get installion ready.
REMEMBE WAIT SO LONG AS DVD COME OUT FROM DVD DRIVE,THEN INSTALL IS READY.
First start with new Linux Mint new LTS.
There come inform at panel down.
Close help box.
It means updates,press it with left buttom of mouse.
Take updates here,them are this mint tested packages for this version.
Don't take packages from web browser,only if OP say in help chat you need them.
If you want,you can install antivirus from packages of mint.
Go START at panel down/Packages ,wait as all loaded seein.There are categorys and search for them.
Search antivirus and wait.
Install it and it's ok.
I'm using firewall too,it's installed for Mint DVD ISO,but activate it and set coming deny,going allow and from preferences to medium.
Press firewall on.
I hope this can help new users come mint user.