Getting as Close as Possible to Linux Mint on a Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi is beloved for packing decent desktop computing power into a tiny, affordable package. But most operating systems need optimization for the Pi‘s ARM architecture. Does that include Linux Mint – one of the most popular home desktop Linux distributions?

In this guide, we‘ll cover whether you can successfully run Linux Mint on a Raspberry Pi. And if not, what clever workarounds bring you as close as possible to the Linux Mint experience.

Demystifying Linux Mint and the Humble Raspberry Pi

Before assessing Linux Mint compatibility, it helps to better understand what makes both it and the Raspberry Pi unique.

Why Linux Mint is So Highly Regarded

Linux Mint is a desktop-oriented Linux distribution built on top of Ubuntu and Debian. It offers several features that contribute to its popularity among Linux users:

Streamlined Experience

The default Cinnamon desktop environment provides an intuitive Windows-like interface. It removes complexity without sacrificing personalization options.

Broad Hardware Support

From old 32-bit systems to the latest PCs, Linux Mint handles a wider array of hardware than more specialized Linux distributions.

Vast Software Repositories

Linux Mint grants access to the immense libraries of compatible software available in the Ubuntu and Debian repositories.

Multimedia Codecs Included

Legally gray area codecs and plugins for popular media formats come pre-installed – crucial for gaming and home theatre PCs.

Feature-Packed Office Suite

LibreOffice offers strong Microsoft Office format compatibility critical for everyday business or school needs.

Strong Online Community

Friendly Linux Mint user forums provide newbies and veterans an avenue to propose ideas, request help, report bugs, and assist in improving their favorite distro.

With ease of use, rich features, software selection, community support – and yes, the polished green logo – it makes sense why Linux Mint ranks among the most beloved Linux distributions.

Introducing the Surprisingly Powerful Raspberry Pi

In contrast to traditional PCs, the Raspberry Pi is a series of tiny single-board systems developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to promote hands-on computing education.

Several interesting traits characterize different versions of the Raspberry Pi board:

Inexpensive

Topping out at $80 USD for the flagship Raspberry Pi 4 B model, these systems are very affordable.

Portability

Weighing between 45-60g and only 85mm x 56mm in size, the Pi boards offer surprising computing capabilities in ultra portable packages.

Modest Componentry

System memory ranges from 256MB on the earliest Raspberry Pi Model B to 8GB LPDDR4 SDRAM on the Pi 4. Mass storage is generally provided via microSD card slots.

Expandability

40-pin General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) ports enable connecting the Pi to LEDs, switches, sensors and more.

Community Oriented

From hobbyists to tinkerers to students, Raspberry Pis enjoy great project momentum. Everything from retro arcades to robots have been powered by Pi boards.

Here is a spec comparison between the $35 Raspberry Pi 4 B with 2GB RAM versus a modern desktop PC:

What the Raspberry Pi lacks in computing horsepower, it more than makes up for in versatility and affordability as a miniature platform for all manner of electronics projects.

Now that we better understand Linux Mint and the charm of the Raspberry Pi, let‘s dig into getting them to work together.

The Compatibility Gap Between Linux Mint and RPi Hardware

At the heart of the Linux Mint versus Raspberry Pi compatibility dilemma sits a substantial gap in processor architectures.

Linux Mint as an x64 Distribution

As a Linux distribution targeting conventional desktop and notebook computers, Linux Mint bundles itself for installation on the x64/x86 platform.

x64 refers to 64-bit CPU instruction sets leveraging complex features like pipelining and superscalar execution popularized by Intel and AMD desktop processors. Developing software targeting these intricate, yet high performance CPUs requires advanced compiler code generation and low level system optimization.

Raspberry Pi Relies on Efficient ARM CPUs

Meanwhile, the brains across all Raspberry Pi models – everything from the early ARMv6 to the latest ARM Cortex-A72 – are significantly less complex. At their core, they leverage RISC principles emphasizing simplicity and energy efficiency.

The RISC architecture has a reduced overall instruction set computing (ISC) complexity compared to x64. Doing less per clock cycle reduces power draw while still staying highly useful for embedded platforms like the Pi.

But there is no clean compatibility between the assembly instructions targeting x64 versus the ARM code running on the Pi‘s SoCs.

Getting as Close as Possible to Linux Mint

While you can‘t natively run Linux Mint on a Raspberry Pi, use cases requiring Linux Mint‘s benefits aren‘t entirely out of reach.

Bridging the Divide with Ubuntu

The good news is popular distributions like Ubuntu can run across both architectures. Ubuntu handles the heavy lifting of booting up and coordinating everything under the hood so ARM compatible packages then run smoothly.

By installing Ubuntu Server on your Pi first, followed by the Ubuntu desktop and eventually swapping default GNOME out for Linux Mint‘s Cinnamon – you craft a makeshift yet surprisingly functional Linux Mint imitation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Faking It ‘til You Make It

Here is an overview of the steps involved to replicate a Linux Mint style environment on your Raspberry Pi:

1. Flash Ubuntu Server 20.04 LTS to your microSD card using Raspberry Pi Imager
2. Boot up Ubuntu Server on your Pi and install GNOME Display Manager for a graphical login
3. Get Cinnamon installed from the Ubuntu repos to closely mimic Linux Mint
4. Optionally install Ubuntu versions of common software found bundled with Linux Mint including Firefox, LibreOffice, VLC media player and more to complete the experience

While not quite as turnkey as running true Linux Mint with official ARM architecture support, this Cinnamon desktop combo gets you very close.

And any differences in software versions tend to go unnoticed unless pushing the limits of the Pi 4 hardware capabilities.

Video Walkthrough Featuring Pseudo Linux Mint on a Raspberry Pi

To see this workaround in action, check out this excellent video tutorial courtesy of YouTube channel The Linux Experiment demonstrating an ARM-compatible Linux Mint style OS running smoothly on a Raspberry Pi 2:

For best results, follow along on a newer Pi 4 or Pi 400 with upgraded RAM rather than the Pi 2 featured. But overall – it‘s surprisingly usable even on one of the lowest end Pi models thanks to Ubuntu and the Cinnamon DE!

Survey of Other Operating Systems Supported on the Pi

Part of what makes the Raspberry Pi such a compelling platform is the array of OS choices beyond official Raspberry Pi OS or Linux Mint.

Distro hoppers and tinkerers alike will feel right at home thanks to diverse options like:

Raspberry Pi OS – The official successor to Raspbian offers a Debian flavored Linux optimized for RPi ARM devices.

Windows 10 IoT Core – A lightweight version of Windows 10 for ARM development.

RISC OS – A unique single tasking OS dating back to 1987 and the early days of ARM.

FreeBSD – Run the popular BSD Unix derivative on your Pi for added flexibility.

Android – With some work, Google‘s versatile mobile and tablet platform boots up.

RetroPie – transform your Pi into an all-in-one retro gaming rig.

Far too many superb projets leverage the Raspberry Pi to highlight them all here!

Suffice to say between purpose built distros and third party ports, there is no shortage of ways to unlock additional utility.

RPi Hardware Constraints to Factor In

A Raspberry Pi running Raspberry Pi OS or Linux Mint style Ubuntu plus Cinnamon makes for a surprisingly usable impromptu desktop.

But leverage such a setup knowing the Pi 4 still operates within the bounds of its economical embedded heritage.

CPU Limitations

The quad-core Cortex-A72 powering the flagship Pi 4 sits roughly 25x behind an average modern desktop processor in sheer performance.

Single core workloads hit ~1.5 GHz frequency ceilings very quickly.

Parallelized workflows spread intensity across the 4 cores, but heat and memory bandwidth bottlenecks still frequently arise under load.

Memory Restrictions

Even the high end 8GB LPDDR4 RAM configurations still pale in comparison to capacities seen in conventional PCs. This proves very limiting for memory hungry programs.

Swapping against the microSD card storage is always an option, but at the cost of significantly reduced performance.

Storage Considerations

Booting from the microSD card means read/write speeds are inconsistent. Transfer rates tend to decline over time as low quality cards wear down through excessive writes.

Supplement via external drives over USB 3.0 ports. But this then adds potential points of failure external to the board itself if units disconnect.

Factor such elements in when designing solutions leveraging a Pi device as the centerpiece.

Final Thoughts

The dream of running Linux Mint directly on a Raspberry Pi may be permanently deferred. Yet the micro PC board‘s flexibility means getting close remains firmly within reach.

For those seeking an affordable means towards learning Linux administration in a hands-on manner – the Raspberry Pi running Ubuntu plus the Cinnamon desktop provides a great workaround. Raspberry Pi OS itself also grants that Debian Linux flavor out of the box.

And the ability to swap Operating Systems like changing hats means picking the perfect foundation for education or maker projects stays straight forward.

Have you discovered any particularly clever uses for the Raspberry Pi combined with a Linux distribution? Share your experiences with getting Linux running smoothly on a Pi device below!