Linux Mint

2386 readers

11 users here now

Linux Mint is a free Linux-based operating system designed for use on desktop and laptop computers.

Want to see the latest news from the blog? Set the Firefox homepage to:

linuxmint.com/start/

where is a current or past release. Here's an example using release 21.1 'Vera':

https://linuxmint.com/start/vera/

founded 4 years ago

MODERATORS

erpicht@lemmy.ml

Dual-Boot – Partitioning Question (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 day ago by 82daniel@lemmy.ml to c/linuxmint@lemmy.ml

11 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hello hello!

I’m new to Linux and, after bingeing a fair share of videos, I’ve decided to kick things off with Linux Mint (coming from Windows 11).

Since I work 12-13 hours a day on my only laptop, I’d like to start with a dual-boot setup before fully committing to the switch.

Here’s the catch: I only have 90 GB of free space on my hard drive. Would it be unreasonable to allocate around 40 GB to Mint? I don’t need much in terms of software - my daily workflow is basically spreadsheets, Discord, and Zoom.

Appreciate any advice!

top 11 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Frankly, if you depend on your laptop for work, I wouldn't mess around with dual boot. While it's certainly doable, there's always some risk of things going wrong. If I were you I'd try to find some old machine to get started.

[–] 82daniel@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That makes sense. I am seriously thinking about it. Thanks

[–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

If you want to mess around with Linux with minimal risk, install it to a USB drive. You'll need two drives: one to act as the boot hard drive and one to serve as the installation drive. Assuming your laptop can boot from USB, this should work fine for learning Linux.

Even cheap thumb drives will work, you don't need a fancy SSD drive.

[–] 82daniel@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

That's how I tested different distros, by running them from USB drives. I think it's time for me to actually have it installed. But yeah, as others have commented, it is a bit "dangerous" to dual-boot my only laptop I use for work.

[–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

You can actually install it from one USB drive to another and have a "real" install that boots when you put the drive in. I did that for a year at an old job that wouldn't give me admin on my box 😆

[–] DickFiasco@lemm.ee 4 points 1 day ago (2 children)

40 GB should be enough. Mint itself needs about 10-15 GB, and you'll need space for a swap partition, which should be equal to the amount of RAM. The remaining space can be used for your programs and files.

[–] s12@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 day ago

which should be equal to the amount of RAM.

should be.

But you could also let swap be smaller, you could even forgo it completely and Mint should still work. You’ll just have to be very careful not to let the RAM get too full.

Also, you won’t be able to hibernate if your RAM is larger than your swap.

[–] 82daniel@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Thanks a lot!

[–] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

You can forgo a swap partition if you don't use hibernate and have at least 16GB of RAM.

Also: !suddenlycaralho@lemmy.eco.br

[–] 82daniel@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

LOL "suddenlycaralho" is brilliant. Joined, pending approval.

[–] 82daniel@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

Yeah, not at 16GB of RAM. Thanks