Linux Mint 19.3 Is The Most Popular Point Release: Mint 20 Edges Closer
In June, Linux Mint 20 “Ulyana” came in three editions: Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce, along with many new features. Subsequently, it received a lot of feedback, including both good and bad.
You can check out our review of Linux Mint 20 with features scoring good ratings. Nonetheless, according to the latest popularity statistics revealed in the July month blog, Linux Mint 19.3 “Tricia” is currently the most popular point release compared to any other Mint version.
Linux Mint Ubuntu Edition Is More Popular Than Debian
As you can see in the graph, more than 50% of Linux Mint users use Linux Mint 19.x series. This is even more than combining both the old Mint 18.x and the brand new Mint 20, which represents about 20% of the user base.
However, the latest Mint 20 that offers numerous new features has also achieved good growth, reaching equal to Mint 18.x user base after just a few months of release. If we look more closely at all point releases of Linux Mint, 19.3 “Tricia” tops the list followed by 20 “Ulyana,” 19.1 “Tessa,” and 18.3 “Slyvia.”
It may be surprising for some users of Linux Mint Debian Edition that despite the new LMDE 4, about 1% of the users actually use it. This number is way less than the Mint 17.x version that has already reached its End-of-Life (EOL) but still represents 6% of the user base.
To tell you the data source, the Mint team has generated the pie chart by collecting data from traffic statistics relying only on the default browser start page, which of course, users can and do change.
Why Is 19.3 The Most Used Version?
Linux Mint 19.3 was released in December last year, and since then, it has evolved to become the most mature version of each package base. Hence, this could be the reason people still prefer the distribution having fewer or no bugs than new releases giving them more features but having bugs.
Another reason for sticking to 19.3 is also a drop of 32-bit ISO for Mint 20. People with a 32-bit system now have to choose the most stable and long-term Mint 19.3 as the new Mint 20 no longer supports 32-bit CPUs.
Speaking of LMDE, Clem Lefebvre says that it’s developed as a plan B in case we need to switch package base one day. Hence, as of now, it doesn’t get point-releases and is also not promoted or given the same exposure as Ubuntu edition.
LMDE does not have the purpose of competing with Linux Mint or attracting new users. Instead, it’s just a strategically important project that aims to ensure Linux Mint continues in case something goes wrong with the upstream Ubuntu package base.
