Is Linux Mint Cinnamon Faster than Ubuntu?

In the ever-evolving landscape of Linux distributions, users often find themselves at crossroads when choosing an operating system that aligns with their preferences and system requirements. Two popular choices, Linux Mint Cinnamon and Ubuntu, stand out as user-friendly options with distinct features. One crucial factor in selecting an OS is speed, prompting the question: Is Linux Mint Cinnamon faster than Ubuntu? Let's delve into this comparison to unravel the performance nuances between these two prominent Linux distributions.

Testing Performance with Basic Commands:

To initiate our exploration, we can begin by assessing the basic system performance through command-line tools. Open a terminal window and execute the following commands:

# Check system information in Ubuntu
sudo lshw -short

# Check system information in Linux Mint Cinnamon
inxi -Fxz

These commands provide insights into the hardware specifications and configurations of your system. Analyzing this information can offer a preliminary understanding of how well each distribution is optimized for your specific hardware.

Benchmarking with Sysbench:

For a more quantitative comparison, we can employ the Sysbench tool, a versatile benchmarking tool that evaluates various aspects of system performance.

# Install Sysbench on Ubuntu
sudo apt-get install sysbench

# Run CPU benchmark on Ubuntu
sysbench cpu --time=10 run

# Install Sysbench on Linux Mint Cinnamon
sudo apt-get install sysbench

# Run CPU benchmark on Linux Mint Cinnamon
sysbench cpu --time=10 run

Comparing the results of these CPU benchmarks can provide valuable insights into the raw processing power of each distribution. Keep in mind that optimal performance depends on factors such as hardware compatibility and driver support.

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Responsiveness:

A key aspect of user experience is the responsiveness of the graphical user interface. Linux Mint Cinnamon and Ubuntu use different desktop environments, which can influence how quickly and smoothly the system responds to user interactions.

For Ubuntu, which uses the GNOME desktop environment:

# Check GNOME version on Ubuntu
gnome-shell --version

For Linux Mint Cinnamon:

# Check Cinnamon version on Linux Mint
cinnamon --version

Running these commands will reveal the desktop environment versions, allowing you to explore the latest features and optimizations specific to each distribution.

Real-world Performance Considerations:

Beyond benchmarks and technical evaluations, real-world scenarios provide a holistic perspective on system performance. Consider tasks like software installation, updates, and multimedia playback, observing how each distribution handles these operations.

In the realm of Linux operating systems, the performance debate between Linux Mint Cinnamon and Ubuntu remains subjective. While benchmarks offer quantifiable data, user experience ultimately hinges on personal preferences and specific use cases. Explore both distributions, conduct your own tests, and choose the one that aligns best with your workflow and hardware.