How does mint edge differ from normal mint?

[mmm]

How does mint edge differ from normal mint?
Is it just a later kernel?
Or are there other differences too?
Could I convert edge back to normal?
Or switch back and forth between them to see which works best?

[SMG]

How does mint edge differ from normal mint?
Is it just a later kernel?

It includes both the 5.4 kernel and a newer kernel.
LM20.3 Edge ISO includes the 5.13 kernel.

Or switch back and forth between them to see which works best?

Yes, you can boot with a different kernel by booting into the grub menu, going to Advanced Options, and selecting a different kernel.

If you provide information about your hardware, we can probably let you know which one would be better for it.

[all41]

I also wonder
Certainly the loaded kernels would not be the only difference--is there more?

[SMG]

I also wonder
Certainly the loaded kernels would not be the only difference--is there more?

The reason for the Edge ISO is to provide drivers for newer hardware. Open-source drivers are included in the kernel so a newer kernel provides the newer drivers.

[all41]

So LM Cinnamon updated with the latest kernel series from the repository=cinnamon edge in all respects?

[SMG]

So LM Cinnamon updated with the latest kernel series from the repository=cinnamon edge in all respects?

There may be some slight differences in the kernel meta packages between installing Edge ISO versus just updating to the 5.13 kernel, but otherwise it's my understanding the code is the same. (Ubuntu made some upstream changes as described in this post with regards to HWE-hardware enablement-kernels over the last year.)

[mmm]

Thanks for replies.
The laptop is a 2012 HP Pavilion g6.
I installed edge to get WIFI working.
System information shows:

Network: Device-1: Ralink RT5390R 802.11bgn PCIe Wireless Network Adapter
vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: rt2800pci v: 2.3.0 port: 4040 bus ID: 01:00.0
chip ID: 1814:539b
IF: wlo1 state: up mac: <filter>
Device-2: Realtek RTL810xE PCI Express Fast Ethernet vendor: Hewlett-Packard
driver: r8169 v: kernel port: 3000 bus ID: 02:00.0 chip ID: 10ec:8136
IF: eno1 state: down mac: <filter>

Will I need to do anything else now that all is working?
Will updates need action from me?
Perhaps when 21 comes out edge might not be needed?

[SMG]

The laptop is a 2012 HP Pavilion g6.
I installed edge to get WIFI working.

According to this 11-yr-old post the driver was in the 3.x version of the kernel.

I have no idea why 5.4 was not working for you, but if your system is running fine with the 5.13 kernel then continue to use it.

Will I need to do anything else now that all is working?
Will updates need action from me?
Perhaps when 21 comes out edge might not be needed?

It's an operating system. You will receive updates in Update Manager as they are released. When you get the notification updates are available, install them.

[all41]

I have no idea why 5.4 was not working for you, but if your system is running fine with the 5.13 kernel then continue to use it.

me either--but op got his wi-fi up so kudos there
my guess is if the system were now reverted back to 5.4 at boot the wi-fi would still be working.

[mmm]

Eventually I found how to show the advanced grub menu, and it showed 4 kernels.
I tried 5.13.0-27-generic and 5.4.0-113-generic.
They both worked.
So should I try again normal mint 20.3
to keep everything as standard as possible?
Or is it best to keep to edge - simply because it's working?

[SMG]

Eventually I found how to show the advanced grub menu, and it showed 4 kernels.
I tried 5.13.0-27-generic and 5.4.0-113-generic.
They both worked.
So should I try again normal mint 20.3

If you boot with the 5.4 kernel then you are using "normal mint". As already explained in this topic, the only difference between the two versions is what kernel is the default at boot time.

You can go to into Update Manager and remove the 5.13.0-27 kernel (and any other 5.13 kernels which might be installed) and you will be using "normal mint". By removing the installed 5.13 kernels then you will not have to use the advanced grub menu to run with 5.4 kernels.

You can remove the 5.13 kernels with the following steps:

• Boot into Linux Mint using one of the 5.4 kernels.
• Open Update Manager.
• Select View > Linux Kernels and click Continue.
• Make sure 5.13 is selected on the left panel and then click a kernel on the right panel which has "Installed" in the middle column. A "Remove" button will appear.
• Click the button and remove the kernel.
• Repeat for the other 5.13 kernel which is installed.