Linux Mint Forums

Hi, I finally got the green light to install linux to my sisters laptop. I am considering between Mint Xfce and Xubuntu. From what I read after a bit initial tweaking both can be configured to behave the same. My biggest concern is the upgrade process. The feeling is that Mint requires full format and install the new version and Ubuntu on the contrary is just enable the new version and do an apt-get dist-upgrade. I don't want to format the laptop every 9 months but still want the latest and greatest. Is there any easier way to upgrade Mint when new versions come along?

this might be a little risky but works fine as long as i know. You can see this for upgrading to a newer release without a fresh install.

or you can wait till Mint 17 LTS comes out in June (I think that's when). Then You'll be good till 2019.

I know it's tough to wait. Just trying to give slightly different angle on your problem.

Either way, back up your home directory somewhere it won't be overwritten. You can use Mint's backup feature for that as well as for saving a list of installed software. Then, if something breaks using the process described at the link above, such as the new packages don't work with the old kernel before you can update the kernel, the worst thing that happens is that you have to reinstall anyway. And the process of installing a new Mint version from scratch is very likely to take a lot less time than installing a new Windows version from scratch.

kirby

Hi, I decided to go with the LTS option. The important packages like Firefox, Chrome and Skype are beeing updated in their latest versions anyway so this is not a big problem. I installed Mint 13 and when version 17 comes I will find time to install it.