Feel at home with Linux Mint.
Linux Mint is a practical place to start when you want a familiar menu, a taskbar and room to get on with your day. We can help check the fit, plan the install and settle your files into their new home.
Help from Mark in Swan View and the Perth Hills. Onsite by arrangement.
Worth a look if...
Home users exploring a familiar desktop for browsing, email and documents.
Check before you switch
A familiar layout does not make Windows applications or printer drivers interchangeable.
A gentler introduction to Linux
Mint offers Cinnamon, MATE and Xfce desktop editions. Cinnamon is the project's flagship desktop; the alternatives may suit different preferences and hardware. Try the desktop and check the current requirements before choosing. The right edition is the one you find comfortable on the computer you own.
Bring a document and try your printer
Open a copy of a real document, spreadsheet or presentation in the application you plan to use. Check formatting, fonts and any macros you rely on. Test printing and scanning separately. Browser-based email may feel familiar, but local mail archives and contacts need their own migration plan.
Learn the few things that change
We can walk through installing applications from trusted sources, using updates and finding your files. Plan both system recovery and a separate backup of personal data. A system snapshot should not be treated as a replacement for a checked copy of your documents and photos.
A move you can feel comfortable with.
Check the fit
Start with your hardware, essential apps and games. Agree on what needs to work and discuss the cost.
Protect what matters
Check a separate backup of your files and saves. Plan recovery before changing disks or replacing an operating system.
Settle in properly
Test your everyday tasks after setup. Walk through updates and backups, and keep a way back until you are satisfied.
Find your kind of Linux.
Compare the desktop, the games and the work involved.
A few things worth asking.
Can I try Mint from a USB stick?
Yes, Mint provides a live session. Preparing the USB erases the selected USB drive, so use one with nothing you need on it. Starting the installer is a separate step; do not choose disk changes until your backup and plan are ready.
Does Mint run Windows software?
Not natively. Some software has a Linux version, a web version or an alternative. Compatibility tools work for some Windows programs, but test your essential applications rather than assuming support.
Can I play games on Mint?
Yes, compatible Linux games and many Windows games through Proton are options. Check individual titles and graphics support. A gaming-focused distribution is another choice, not a requirement for playing on Linux.
Go straight to the project.
Check the current requirements and instructions before downloading. PC FIX-IT is an independent local service, not an official support partner of these projects.
Let's see what your machine can do.
Send your model, your suburb and what you want working. We'll discuss the options, setup work and cost before you commit.