which linux mint version is best for high end laptops?

Question

i've been using ubuntu 12.04, ever since it was released. Recently i messed up os, by installing some software, so i have to reinstall everything. I was looking for a fix for the issues, then i stumbled upon linux mint 13. So i was wondering which one is best for my laptop???? cinnamon, mate, kde. i dont know which to pick!!!
my laptop specs:
intel processor core i7
nvidia graphics card i believe its nvidia geforce 320m
4 GiB RAM.
P.S. one more question i also heard that Linux mint handles update differently than Ubuntu; each update has level given to it. what are those no for. is 5 being stable update and 1 being alpha/beta version????

Answer 1

I'd say Linux 13 MATE. Works pretty well on my Alienware laptop. Best Linux distro I've used.



http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php and select 64 bit on the first row of selectable downloads.

Answer 2

Best Linux Mint Version

Answer 3

Since you have a "high-end laptop", the choice of desktop environment is up to you, since they'll all run well on your machine; since you aren't being limited by low-spec hardware, you have the luxury of choosing which user interface and application set you prefer. I'd suggest downloading them all and either running them in Virtual Box or Live Mode and see which one is your favorite one.



The default applications in Cinnamon and MATE will be more familiar to you since you've already run Ubuntu; KDE is it's own beast and only shares a few programs in common with the GNOME-based Cinnamon (VLC, Firefox, Synaptic, LibreOffice).



Linux Mint's Update Manager does indeed filter updates; for example, it doesn't present you with kernel updates, while Ubuntu does. By default it offers Level 1-3 updates, Level 4-5 being deemed potentially risky and thus held-back. These modified update options don't apply to updates/upgrades done through the terminal, they are strictly Update Manager settings.

Answer 4

1 is like it's just a regular update no harm same w/ 2 and 3 they are fine

but DO NOT EVER RUN LEVEL 4 UPDATES just don't last time i did it messed up my system

level 5 is safer than 4 idk why but if you enable lvl 5 thats fine those are good updates for stuff DEEP in the system so do be careful and personally i would say that i really like Cinnamon desktop KDE is nice but i just haven't gotten into it yet but i do like it well i say pick KDE and see if you like it and if not try Cinnamon



also lvl 5 are the Kernel updates and affect the whole system *in a good way* but they seem to brick the Ubuntu users but on mint i haven't ever had a problem w/ them JUST DO NOT USE LVL 4 UPDATES