I tried Peppermint Linux: How this bare-bones distro lets you build your ideal OS

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Peppermint is a lightweight, Debian-based Linux distribution.
• Peppermint ships with the bare minimum of software.
• With just a bit of work, you make this OS your own.

It seems like years since I last installed Peppermint Linux. Back then, I had always just tagged the distribution as best suited for aging hardware that you might want to reinvigorate.

I had good reason. Peppermint is small, light, and very fast (yes, even on older hardware). Peppermint is a Debian-based distribution that uses the Xfce desktop environment (configured to look and feel very familiar to all), to give it that peppy peppermint feeling.

According to the official Peppermint website, the distribution is “…an operating system that provides a user with the opportunity to build the system that best fits their needs. While at the same time providing a functioning OS with minimum hassle out of the box.”

After testing the latest release of Peppermint Linux, I can attest to that claim. This lightweight OS serves as a great base from which to build. But don’t worry, the process of “building” is really just installing the software that you want.

It’s bare bones but ready

My new take on Peppermint Linux is that it’s a Linux distribution anyone can use and make their own. It’s like an à la carte Linux distribution. 

Peppermint OS (aka Peppermint Linux, aka Pep) comes with the bare minimum of software installed. And being based on Debian, it has access to the full range of software titles. This way, instead of being “told” what software you should use, you get to choose what you want. The one caveat to this is that Peppermint ships with the Synaptic Package Manager, which isn’t quite as user-friendly as, say, KDE Discover or GNOME Software.

Even so, all you have to do is fire up Synaptic, type your user password, search for the software you want to install, and install it. What I like about this approach is that it ends with me having only the software I want (with the addition of a few pre-installed tools like the file manager, terminal app, web browser, and other utilities).

All the while, you have a blazing-fast operating system that enjoys the stability and reliability of Debian. 

Is Peppermint for all user types?

This is always one of the first questions I ask myself when testing a Linux distribution. I really do want to say that Peppermint OS is a great option for those who are new to Linux. 

Remember when I said earlier that Peppermint could be useful for all types of users? Well, although I do still stick to that claim, I do with an attached asterisk.

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First, Synaptic isn’t really the best option for new users. Yes, it’s easy to work with, but the GUI is old-school and could easily trip some users up. And although the update manager is effective by way of an icon in the system tray indicating there are updates available, when you click on the icon, a terminal window opens requesting your password. All updates then take place within that terminal window.

One could always run updates in Synaptic, but we’re back to new users using software that isn’t 100% suited for them.

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Just for fun, I decided to install GNOME Software to see what would happen. To my surprise, it ran perfectly. That being said, I’m surprised that such an easy-to-use Linux distribution doesn’t include this app by default (as it’s much more user-friendly than Synaptic). 

With GNOME Software up and running, I installed the tools I needed, such as GIMP (image editor), Opera (web browser), Geary (email), codecs, and fonts.

I then installed Flatpak (from the command line), configured GNOME Software to use it, and then installed Spotify and Slack.

Peppermint OS was starting to become exactly what I needed it to be… and with very little work. Granted, some of the work did require the use of the terminal window, but if one didn’t need Flatpak installed (as I do), the terminal wouldn’t be necessary.

Also: Why this lightweight Linux distro won’t win any popularity contests but is perfect for power users

In the end, Peppermint OS is one of those Linux distributions that, on the surface, seems focused primarily on reviving aging hardware, but could also be a great platform for those who want to start almost from scratch and create the ideal desktop operating system to meet their needs.

Whether you have an older PC lying around or you want to install an OS on your new PC that is tailored to you, give Peppermint a try.