Last April, after the launch of the Lunar Lobster family, I wrote an article in which doubted that the 11 flavors in which Ubuntu is available were necessary. In the end, I suppose that if Canonical accepts them as official it is because, first, their maintainers are capable of carrying them forward, and, second, because they all have their audience. existing Linux Mint, I didn't see the need for Ubuntu Cinnamon, but there may be reasons to use the option under the Canonical umbrella before Mint.
The KDE + Ubuntu pairing is available in two different options, or two are the main ones: Kubuntu is the official flavor, but KDE neon is where KDE has more control. KDE is behind both, there are even people working on both projects, but KDE neon can act more freely. Why am I talking about KDE in an article about Cinnamon? Simply because the relationship between Ubuntu Cinnamon and Linux Mint is similar.
Linux Mint develops Cinnamon
How to Live Aligned with Kde neon, Linux Mint uses a Ubuntu LTS base. On the other hand, the desktop software is always up to date, since it is the same project that develops it and releases the new installments shortly before a new version of Linux Mint. Ubuntu Cinnamon is also based on Ubuntu, but in his case it is LTS, in the years of even years, and not LTS, the rest and a version every six months.
Reasons to choose Linux Mint
Among the reasons to choose Linux Mint, one is that is not under the yoke of Canonical. They don't have to, and in fact don't, add the snap version of Firefox, to the point that they don't support snap packages by default. Linux Mint is free, and its philosophy is closer to what the Linux community is: a certain freedom and absence of restrictions. Another reason is the base, which uses Ubuntu LTS and stability is almost guaranteed.
It should also be the choice of those who want before the latest version of Cinnamon, since Linux Mint releases its new versions about three months after each edition of Ubuntu and Cinnamon about a month before (Ubuntu > Cinnamon 2 months later > Linux Mint 1 month later). In other words, it matches the releases so that Cinnamon releases its new versions in time to include them in Linux Mint, so they always use the most recent one.
Reasons to choose Ubuntu Cinnamon
Some users may not like Canonical's philosophy, but one thing is undeniable: it is a major company, and that ensures good support. The absence of someone strong behind it can cause a project to disappear, something we don't think will happen with Linux Mint. But having insurance never hurts.
For me, Ubuntu Cinnamon should be chosen by users who prefer always have the latest Ubuntu base. As for desktop releases, it will always be 3-4 months behind, and that doesn't have to be a bad thing either. During that time, Cinnamon has already received fix releases, so the desktop is supposed to be more stable.
Different philosophies for different users
As always in cases like this, there is no choice more correct than another. There are choices that are more tailored to the needs of each one. On the subject that brings us here today, I think we must assess:
- Do I like Canonical's philosophy? The latest moves are being controversial, and if you prefer to have something that offers more freedom, perhaps the proposal of Clem Lefebre (Mint) is better. Also, the project is not exactly small and is not expected to disappear. If, on the contrary, you like Canonical, you are in favor of everything it does and you feel comfortable with an official flavor, you have to value it.
- Do I need a more proven foundation? If LTS base is preferred, both options do the trick, as Ubuntu Cinnamon releases one every two years. The difference would be that Ubuntu Cinnamon would use a slightly older version of the desktop.
- Do I prefer a desktop with fewer bugs? Ubuntu Cinnamon, as we have already explained several times, has a desktop that is 4 months older, and also with more patches. The difference with Mint is not very big, but it exists.
- Do I want Cinnamon as soon as possible? Linux Mint.
Whatever you choose, and as I always say about Linux, the choice is ours.