AI Without the Internet: What Is Ollama and How Does It Work?

Posted on August 1, 2026August 14, 2026 by balihobi

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life, but most AI tools rely on a constant internet connection. If you’re looking for a way to run AI locally on your own computer, you’ve probably heard of Ollama.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that Ollama is an AI model. It isn’t.

Ollama is a free tool that lets you download, manage, and run AI language models directly on your computer. Instead of sending your prompts to cloud servers, everything runs locally, giving you more privacy and allowing you to use AI even without an internet connection.

Think of Ollama as a media player. A media player isn’t the movie—it simply loads and plays it. In the same way, Ollama isn’t the AI itself. It loads language models such as Llama, Qwen, Gemma, and Mistral, making them easy to use on your PC or Mac.

If privacy, offline access, or complete control over your AI is important to you, Ollama is one of the best solutions available today.

What Is Ollama?

Funny cartoon llama representing Olama Offline AI, wearing sunglasses and working on a laptop as a symbol of local offline artificial intelligence.

Ollama is a free, open-source application that allows you to run large language models (LLMs) locally on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Instead of connecting to remote AI servers, Ollama downloads the model to your computer and runs it using your own hardware. Once the model has been installed, you can use it without an internet connection.

Its main purpose is to simplify running local AI. Rather than dealing with complicated installations, dependencies, or configuration files, Ollama handles everything for you.

Simply install Ollama, choose a model, and start chatting with AI within minutes.

What Can You Use Ollama For?

Running AI locally opens up many possibilities. People commonly use Ollama for:

Writing articles, emails, and other content
Programming and code generation
Learning new topics
Document analysis and summarization
Brainstorming ideas
Translation and proofreading
Private conversations with AI without sending data online

Since everything stays on your computer, your conversations remain private.

Who Should Use Ollama?

Ollama is an excellent choice for several types of users.

Everyday Users

If you simply want an AI assistant that works offline and keeps your personal information private, Ollama is an easy way to get started.

Developers

Developers can integrate local AI into their own applications without paying for API usage or relying on cloud services.

Businesses

Companies handling confidential documents often prefer local AI because sensitive information never leaves their internal systems.

AI Enthusiasts

If you enjoy experimenting with the latest language models, Ollama makes it incredibly easy to switch between different models with just a few commands.

Ollama vs Cloud AI

Services like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini run on powerful cloud servers.

Ollama works differently. Everything runs directly on your own computer.

This offers several advantages:

Better privacy
Offline AI access
No monthly subscription
Full control over your AI models

The trade-off is hardware performance. Large models require more RAM and benefit from a dedicated GPU, while cloud AI runs on enterprise-grade hardware.

Why Is Ollama So Popular?

There are several reasons why Ollama has quickly become one of the most popular tools for running local AI.

Complete Privacy

Your prompts, files, and conversations stay on your own device instead of being processed by remote servers.

Offline AI

Once you’ve downloaded a model, you can use it anywhere—even without an internet connection.

No Monthly Fees

Unlike many cloud AI services, Ollama is completely free. There are no subscriptions or usage limits imposed by the software itself.

Easy to Use

Despite being designed for local AI, Ollama is surprisingly beginner-friendly. Installation takes only a few minutes, and running a model requires just a single command.

System Requirements

Ollama itself isn’t demanding, but AI models require sufficient hardware.

For a comfortable experience, it’s recommended to have:

At least 16 GB of RAM
Around 10 GB of free storage per AI model
Windows, macOS, or Linux

A dedicated graphics card (GPU) can significantly improve performance, although smaller models also run well on modern CPUs.

Upgrade your computer for faster local AI.
Running larger AI models requires more computing power. A dedicated GPU with enough VRAM can greatly improve response speed and allow you to use more advanced AI models with Ollama.

👉 Find suitable GPUs for local AI on Amazon.

Installing Ollama

Installing Ollama is as straightforward as installing any other desktop application.

Download the installer from the official Ollama website, complete the installation, and launch the program.

To start using AI, simply open Terminal (macOS/Linux) or Command Prompt (Windows) and run a command to load your chosen model.

If the model isn’t already installed, Ollama automatically downloads it and prepares everything for you.

Which AI Model Should You Choose?

Ollama supports dozens of open-source language models.

For beginners, Llama is often the best starting point because it offers an excellent balance between speed, quality, and hardware requirements.

As you become more familiar with local AI, you can explore other popular models such as:

Gemma
Qwen
Mistral

Each model has its own strengths, so trying several of them is the best way to find the one that fits your workflow.

Do You Have to Use the Command Line?

Not at all.

Although Ollama uses simple command-line commands, you don’t have to interact with it that way if you prefer a graphical interface.

Applications such as Open WebUI provide a modern chat interface that looks and feels similar to ChatGPT, making local AI much more accessible for beginners.

Final Thoughts

Ollama makes running AI locally simple, private, and completely free.

Whether you’re a casual user looking for offline AI, a developer building AI-powered applications, or a business protecting sensitive information, Ollama provides an easy way to run powerful language models directly on your own computer.

As local AI continues to improve, tools like Ollama are becoming one of the most practical alternatives to cloud-based AI services.

A Guide for Windows Migrants: Which Applications Will You Use in Linux?

Posted on July 13, 2026August 14, 2026 by balihobi

Want to switch to Linux, but are you afraid of being left without applications? Internet browsers or Spotify work exactly the same, but what about Word, Paint or specialized software? We have prepared a practical guide for Windows migrants. We will show you how easy Linux installations are today, but we will also admit which professions Linux is still taboo for due to missing programs.

Switching from Windows to Linux raises many people’s concerns.

“Will I even be able to run my favorite programs there?” The good news is that modern Linux offers full-fledged replacements for everything you use every day. This overview will show you how to easily replace the most common applications.

Internet and communication (No changes)

You won’t notice any difference in this area. Most major programs have an official version for Linux.

Web browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Brave.
Communication: Discord, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Microsoft Teams, Zoom.
Media: Spotify, VLC Media Player.

Office work

You don’t have to give up your documents and spreadsheets.

LibreOffice : The default office suite on Linux. It’s free and fully compatible with Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) formats.
OnlyOffice : A great alternative that visually replicates Microsoft Office almost perfectly.
MS Office Web / Google Docs: If you use Office 365 in a browser, it works 100% on Linux.

Graphics, photos and video

For basic photo and home video cropping, Linux excels. For professionals, there are other advanced tools.

Painting – (MS Paint), Pinta or Drawing: Simple editors for quick edits.
Adobe Photoshop, GIMP or Photopea : GIMP is a powerful free tool. Photopea runs in the browser and looks exactly like Photoshop.
Video editing – Kdenlive or CapCut : Kdenlive is a top-notch free program for Linux, CapCut works great in the browser.

System tools and utilities

You can handle common tasks like managing files or taking notes with ease.

File Explorer – File Manager (Nautilus/Dolphin): They work on the same principle (Folders, Documents, Downloads).
Notepad – Text Editor (Gedit/Kate): Simple tools for quick notes.
Total Commander – Double Commander: A faithful copy of the popular two-panel file manager.

What if the program doesn’t have a Linux version? (e.g. Games and Specials)

If you absolutely need to run a program from Windows (.exe file), Linux uses built-in tools to do this:

Steam (Proton): Today, thanks to Proton technology, you can run the vast majority of Windows games on Linux with one click.
Bottles / Wine: Programs that allow you to install and run common Windows applications directly in the Linux environment.

So how is it?

You don’t have to worry about the installation itself – in modern Linux it’s actually easier than in Windows. Forget about crawling websites and downloading installers. Just open the built-in software center (which works exactly like Google Play or the App Store on your mobile), click and you’re good to go.

But let’s not be naive, Linux is of course not self-sufficient .

IIf your work depends on specialized software, switching to Linux can be challenging. For example, many businesses rely on programs like QuickBooks, Sage Accounting, AutoCAD, Siemens TIA Portal for industrial automation, or Adobe Creative Cloud applications such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro. These professional tools are designed mainly for Windows and macOS, and there are often no official Linux versions available. In such cases, you may need to keep a Windows installation or use a virtual machine.

The reason is simple: money and the market.

It’s simply not worth it for developers to spend millions rewriting complex software for Linux when the vast majority of their customers are on Windows. Moreover, these corporate and industrial programs need deep integration with Windows drivers to be able to communicate with machines and the corporate network. So if you can’t do without these specific programs at work, Linux is unfortunately not the solution for you at this time.

Where to download free programs and applications for Linux?

Most of the most popular Linux applications today can be downloaded via Flatpak , Snap, or AppImage . These modern distribution methods make it easy to install programs no matter what Linux distribution you’re using.

Whether you’re looking for a web browser, office suite, graphics editor, music player, or video editing tool, you’ll very often find them in Flatpak , Snap , or AppImage format .

Application repository	Application type
Flatpak (Flathub)	Probably the most widely used universal format. Works on almost all distributions. The main repository is Flathub. Applications run in a sandbox. It is supported by Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint, Debian, openSUSE, Arch Linux and many others.
Snap	It is developed by Canonical (the creators of Ubuntu). It is included with Ubuntu by default. It also uses a sandbox. It is not as popular outside of Ubuntu due to its centralization.
AppImage	It does not require installation. Just download the file, set the execution rights and run it. For example, the Krita painting program. Ideal for portable applications. It does not have a central store like Flathub.

Snap and Flathub repositories demo

How to download a program from the Snap Store and Flathub?

In Linux today, you don’t have to just search for programs on the Internet and install them manually. You can find many applications in online catalogs, similar to the Microsoft Store in Windows or Google Play on mobile phones.

The most widely used include the Snap Store for applications in Snap format and Flathub for applications in Flatpak format.

As an example, we will show you how to download the video editing and editing program Kdenlive .

Downloading the program via Flathub (Flatpak)

Open the Flathub website .
Type Kdenlive in the search .
Select the Kdenlive application .
Click the install button.
If your distribution has Flatpak support, the application will open in the program manager and offer to install.
After confirmation, the program will be downloaded and installed.

Alternatively, Kdenlive can also be installed using the command in the terminal:

terminal:


 flatpak install flathub org.kde.kdenlive

Once the installation is complete, you will find Kdenlive among the other applications on your system.

Downloading the program via the Snap Store

Open the Snap Store .
Type Kdenlive in the search .
Select an application.
Information about the program and the installation option will be displayed.
If you are using a system with Snap support, you can install the app directly through the application manager.

Installation via terminal:

sudo snap install kdenlive

After installation, you can run the program just like a regular application.

Why use Flatpak, Snap or AppImage?

These installation methods have several advantages:

applications work on multiple Linux distributions,
you don’t have to deal with manually downloading packages,
programs often have their own necessary libraries,
updates can be performed automatically,
installation is easier even for beginners.

Thanks to these options, Linux is now much more accessible even to users who previously only used Windows.

How to install Flatpak or Snap on Linux?

Some Linux distributions have Flatpak or Snap support built in. However, if your distribution doesn’t have this option, you can easily install it.

You can find detailed instructions at the end of the Ubuntu installation tutorial.

Once installed, you will be able to use thousands of applications from the Flathub (Flatpak) or Snap Store (Snap) catalogs.

How to Install VirtualBox on Windows 11 and Run Ubuntu (Step-by-Step)

Posted on November 21, 2025August 6, 2026 by balihobi

What is VirtualBox and How to Install It

Try the best Linux distros directly on Windows!

How does VirtualBox work? Imagine it as a “computer inside a computer” that you can start, pause, back up, or move anytime.

VirtualBox is a free and open-source virtualization platform developed by Oracle. It allows you to run multiple operating systems—such as Linux, Windows, or macOS—on a single computer without affecting your main system. With VirtualBox, you can safely test new software, explore different operating systems, or create isolated environments for development and learning.

How to Install VirtualBox on Windows 11 and Run Ubuntu (Step-by-Step)

Want to try Linux safely inside Windows? This guide shows you how to enable virtualization in your PC’s firmware, install Oracle VM VirtualBox on Windows 11, and then set up Ubuntu Desktop in a virtual machine—with screenshots-style directions and links to the official downloads and docs.

What you’ll need

A Windows 11 PC with hardware virtualization support (Intel VT-x or AMD-V)

At least 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended) and 30–40 GB free disk space for Ubuntu

An admin account on Windows

A reliable internet connection

1) Turn on virtualization in your UEFI/BIOS

Virtualization must be enabled at the firmware level. Different brands use different menu names (e.g., Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x), AMD SVM, Intel VT-d/AMD IOMMU).

Restart your PC and enter UEFI/BIOS (often Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc at the logo).
Find CPU / Advanced / Security sections and enable:
- Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x) or SVM Mode (AMD-V)
- (Optional but useful) VT-d / IOMMU for advanced device features
Save & Exit; Windows will boot normally.

If you’d like a manufacturer-guided walkthrough, Microsoft provides a concise primer and vendor links: “Enable virtualization on Windows”. (Podpora Microsoftu)

2) (Optional) Decide what to do about Hyper-V & “Memory integrity”

VirtualBox 7 works on Windows hosts that have Hyper-V–based features enabled (e.g., Virtual Machine Platform, Windows Hyper-V, WSL2). Performance is generally fine, but can be slower than when Hyper-V is fully off. Oracle has steadily improved Hyper-V compatibility in recent releases. (virtualbox.org, docs.oracle.com)

If you want maximum VirtualBox performance, you can consider temporarily disabling Windows features that claim the hypervisor:

Windows features: Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Platform, Windows Hypervisor Platform, Windows Sandbox
Security: Core isolation → Memory integrity (can interfere with some hypervisors)

You can toggle Memory integrity under Windows Security → Device security → Core isolation details. Reboot when prompted. (Security trade-off: turning this off reduces certain protections.) (Microsoft Learn)

3) Install Oracle VM VirtualBox for Windows 11

Download the Windows hosts installer from the official site:
- VirtualBox (Windows hosts) — virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
- Optional: Extension Pack (adds USB 2/3, NVMe, RDP, PXE, etc.). Make sure the Extension Pack version matches your VirtualBox version. (virtualbox.org)
Run the installer (.exe) and accept the default components. The network driver install may briefly reset networking—this is normal and documented in the manual. (docs.oracle.com)
After installation, double-click the Extension Pack file to import it into VirtualBox (or use File → Tools → Extension Pack Manager).

Docs: VirtualBox User Guide (Windows hosts & setup). (docs.oracle.com)

4) Download Ubuntu Desktop (LTS) and verify it

As of August 18, 2025, the current LTS is Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS (Noble Numbat).

Download: Ubuntu Desktop LTS (64-bit, ~6 GB). (Ubuntu)
Alternative mirrors & torrents and all point-releases are listed on the official releases page. (releases.ubuntu.com)

(Recommended) Verify the ISO:

From the releases directory for your version, download the matching SHA256SUMS file.
On Windows, open PowerShell in the folder with the ISO and run:
```
certutil -hashfile .\ubuntu-24.04.3-desktop-amd64.iso SHA256
```
Compare the result with the checksum in SHA256SUMS. Canonical’s tutorial explains the full verification flow. (Ubuntu)

5) Create a new Ubuntu VM in VirtualBox

Open VirtualBox → New.
Name: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (VirtualBox will auto-select Type: Linux, Version: Ubuntu (64-bit)).
Skip “Unattended” if you want to follow the manual installer exactly (you can also use unattended if you prefer).
Memory (RAM): 4096 MB minimum (8192 MB recommended if you have ≥16 GB host RAM).
Processors: 2–4 vCPUs (leave at 2 if your host is a 4-core CPU).
Virtual disk: Create VDI, Dynamically allocated, 30–40 GB (or more).
Display → Video Memory: set to 128 MB; optionally Enable 3D Acceleration for smoother desktop effects.
Network: leave NAT for internet access (you can switch to Bridged later if you want the VM visible on your LAN).
Storage: Click the empty optical drive → Choose a disk file… → select your Ubuntu .iso.

Ubuntu’s own VirtualBox tutorial provides a quick visual walkthrough if you’d like to cross-check settings. (Ubuntu)

6) Install Ubuntu inside the VM

Select the VM → Start.
At the Ubuntu splash, choose Try or Install Ubuntu → Install Ubuntu.
Keyboard layout: choose your layout.
Installation type:
- Normal installation (browser, utilities, office apps) or Minimal (lighter).
- You can leave Download updates while installing checked.
Disk setup: choose Erase disk and install Ubuntu (this affects only the virtual disk).
Set your time zone, name, computer name, username, and password.
Click Install and wait for the process to finish, then Restart the VM.

7) Install VirtualBox Guest Additions (for better graphics, clipboard, shared folders, etc.)

Guest Additions improve display resizing, mouse integration, shared clipboard/drag-drop, and more.

A. Prepare build tools in Ubuntu (inside the VM):

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)

B. Insert and run the installer:

In the VM window menu: Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD Image…
If prompted in Ubuntu, click Run; otherwise run it manually:
```
sudo /media/$USER/VBox_GAs_*/VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
```
Reboot the VM.

Official docs: Chapter 4: Guest Additions (VirtualBox Manual). (virtualbox.org)

8) Nice-to-have tweaks

Display scaling: Ubuntu Settings → Displays (adjust scale for HiDPI).
Shared clipboard & Drag’n’Drop: VM Settings → General → Advanced → set to Bidirectional. (Requires Guest Additions.) (virtualbox.org)
Shared folders: VM Settings → Shared Folders → add a host folder and enable Auto-mount.

9) Troubleshooting

“VERR_NEM_NOT_AVAILABLE” / VM won’t start
Usually means Windows’ hypervisor owns virtualization (Hyper-V / VBS / Memory integrity). Either keep VirtualBox 7 (which can use Hyper-V, sometimes with lower performance), or temporarily disable Hyper-V–related features and Memory integrity (Core isolation) as noted earlier, then reboot. (virtualbox.org, Microsoft Learn)
Slower performance when Hyper-V is on
This is expected in some setups; Oracle has improved support but native mode is usually faster. Consider disabling Hyper-V features if you need maximum performance. (virtualbox.org)
No network bridge option
Re-installing VirtualBox (or repairing it) will re-add the host network drivers needed for Bridged Networking (they are part of the Windows host package). (docs.oracle.com)

Official links (quick list)

VirtualBox Downloads (Windows hosts + Extension Pack) – virtualbox.org. (virtualbox.org)
VirtualBox User Manual (Windows hosts, settings, Guest Additions). (docs.oracle.com, virtualbox.org)
Enable virtualization on Windows (UEFI/BIOS + Windows features) – Microsoft. (Podpora Microsoftu)
Memory integrity (Core isolation) – what it is and where to toggle – Microsoft. (Microsoft Learn)
Ubuntu Desktop (24.04 LTS) download – Canonical. (Ubuntu)
Ubuntu releases index (all point releases & checksums). (releases.ubuntu.com)
Verify your Ubuntu download (checksums/signatures) – Canonical tutorial. (Ubuntu)

Linux-Mint Complete Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Posted on August 12, 2025August 14, 2026 by balihobi

Linux-Mint

What is Linux-Mint?

Go straight to Linux-Mint installation?

Before we install Linux-Mint, let’s first talk a bit about what Mint actually is and why you might consider using it.

What is Linux-Mint?

Linux-Mint is one of the most popular Linux distributions in the world. It’s known for being simple, stable, and easy to use. Mint is based on Ubuntu (or Debian), and it’s developed by a community led by Clement Lefebvre.

A Short History

The first version was released in 2006. Since then, Linux-Mint has built a strong fan base — mainly among people who want a Windows-like system that just works without any hassle.

Who is Mint Good For?

Linux-Mint is great for everyday users, but also for anyone who needs a reliable and powerful system.

Everyday Use

You can use it as your daily desktop for work, internet, multimedia, or even some gaming.

Older Computers

Thanks to lightweight desktop environments like Xfce, Mint runs smoothly even on weaker hardware.

Developers and Advanced Users

Mint gives access to a huge library of Ubuntu and Debian packages, which makes it a solid choice for technical users.

People Switching from Windows

Linux-Mint feels familiar and easy to understand, which makes the transition much smoother.

More Benefits of Using Linux-Mint

It’s good to know that Linux-Mint is not just about being easy to use. It offers plenty of helpful features that make everyday work much more comfortable.

A Comfortable System for Everyday Work

Regular updates ensure that the system stays stable while continuously improving over time. Because of this, many users switch to Mint since it gives them peace of mind during daily tasks. Finally, another big advantage is the very active Linux Mint community, so whenever you run into a problem, you usually find a solution quickly.

A Smooth Experience for Beginners and Advanced Users

Linux-Mint provides a very pleasant environment for anyone who doesn’t want to waste time configuring their system. Beginners especially appreciate that most things work right after installation, allowing them to start using the system immediately. At the same time, Mint doesn’t forget about more advanced users, because they can adjust and customize the system however they like. Besides that, Mint regularly adds new features, which means it keeps moving forward and stays up to date with modern requirements.

Thanks to all of this,

Mint is the first choice for many people looking for a stable and comfortable operating system.

Linux-Mint is a solid choice if you want something simple, stable, and ready to use right after installation.

Linux-Mint Installation

Linux Mint Installation

We’ve talked a bit about Linux-Mint, so now we can move on to the actual installation.

What you’ll need:

USB flash drive (at least 4 GB, 8 GB or more recommended)
Computer capable of booting from USB
Internet connection
Linux Mint ISO image (free to download)
Tool to create bootable USB (e.g., Rufus, balenaEtcher)

1. Download the .ISO

Visit the official website: https://linuxmint.com/download.php
Choose an edition (we recommend Cinnamon if you’re unsure)
Click “Download” and select the mirror closest to your location
Download the file, e.g., linuxmint-21.3-cinnamon-64bit.iso

2. Create a bootable Linux-Mint USB

Here’s a video showing how to create a bootable Linux Mint USB.

Using Rufus:

Download Rufus from https://rufus.ie
Insert your USB flash drive and open Rufus
Set the following:
- Device: select your USB drive
- Boot selection: select the downloaded Linux Mint ISO
- Partition scheme: GPT (for newer PCs with UEFI from 2012+) or MBR (for older BIOS/UEFI-CSM systems)
- File system: FAT32
Click START and confirm to erase the USB

Warning: The USB drive will be completely erased!

How to check if your PC uses UEFI or BIOS (Windows & Linux)

Windows:

Press Win + R, type msinfo32 and hit Enter
In System Information, find “BIOS Mode”:
- UEFI = modern mode
- Legacy = old BIOS mode

How to check if your disk is GPT or MBR:

Press Win + X → Disk Management
Right-click your disk (e.g., Disk 0) → Properties
Go to Volumes tab → Partition style:
- GUID Partition Table (GPT) = modern
- Master Boot Record (MBR) = old style

3. Boot from the USB – step by step

Insert the USB into a powered-off PC
Power on and immediately press the key to enter Boot Menu (varies by brand):
- F12 (Dell, Lenovo, Acer)
- ESC (HP)
- F11, F8, F10 or DEL (depends on brand)
Select your USB drive and press Enter

If Boot Menu doesn’t work:

Enter BIOS/UEFI setup (usually DEL, F2, or ESC; some Lenovo need Fn+F2)
Find Boot Menu or Boot Options and enable it
Save changes (usually F10) and restart

Note:

You might need to disable Secure Boot to boot Linux USB
On new PCs, you may also need to enable CSM if using MBR USB

Installing

4. Installing Linux-Mint

After booting, choose “Start Linux Mint”
When loaded, click “Install Linux Mint” icon

Language and keyboard layout:

Select your language (e.g., English)
Select keyboard layout

Network:

Connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet (Internet not required but recommended for updates)

Installation type:

Erase disk and install Linux Mint – best for beginners
Install alongside Windows (dual boot)
Something else – manual partitioning (advanced)

5. Optional: Manual disk partitioning (advanced)

Recommended layout:

Partition	File system	Size	Mount point
/boot/efi	FAT32	300 MB	/boot/efi
swap	swap	2–4 GB	–
/	ext4	20+ GB	/
/home	ext4	rest	/home

6. Dual boot with Windows

Choose “Something else” and use free disk space
Keep Windows partitions intact!
Create new partitions for Mint (/ , swap, /home)
Don’t format EFI partition
Don’t touch Windows partitions (NTFS)

Encrypted install:

Check “Use LVM” and “Encrypt the installation”
Enter a strong password

7. User setup

Enter your name and computer name
Create username and password
Choose automatic login if desired

8. Start installation

Click “Install Now”
Confirm disk changes
Wait a few minutes
When finished, click “Restart Now”
Remove USB before reboot

9. First boot

Congratulations! After reboot, you’ll see the Linux Mint login screen. Enter your password and enjoy your new system!

Bonus: What next?

Update system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Open Software Manager and install favorite apps:
- VLC, GIMP, Steam, Thunderbird, Chromium
Explore, customize, and enjoy a stable and fast Linux!

What is Linux Mint suitable for?

Beginners wanting a smooth Windows transition
Everyday users for work, browsing, multimedia
Schools, homes, seniors needing stability and ease
Developers wanting a clean, fast system

Which Linux Mint editions exist?

Cinnamon (flagship)
Modern, elegant, visually appealing desktop designed for Mint with full integration. Ideal for newer PCs.
MATE
Lightweight classic desktop based on GNOME 2. Balanced performance and appearance. Good for mid-aged PCs.
Xfce
Lightest Mint edition focused on speed and low resource use. Perfect for old or low-power computers.

Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE)

Debian-based alternative to Ubuntu-based Mint
Backup plan if Ubuntu becomes unusable
Same Cinnamon desktop but Debian under the hood

What comes with Linux Mint?

Up-to-date and stable Linux kernel
Desktop environment of your choice (Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce)
Software Manager for easy app installation
APT package system compatible with Ubuntu .deb packages
Pre-installed apps: Firefox, LibreOffice, Rhythmbox/Celluloid, Nemo file manager, GIMP, Timeshift backups
Easy driver and update management

Advantages of Linux Mint

✅ User-friendly interface – familiar to Windows users, no unnecessary changes
✅ Fast and stable – well optimized, no bloated effects
✅ No ads, no telemetry – no tracking or forced packages
✅ Great multimedia support – codecs included out of the box
✅ Choice of desktop environments – from lightweight to modern
✅ Easy updates and system management
✅ Ubuntu compatibility – huge software library
✅ Backup and restore with Timeshift

Disadvantages

❌ Smaller development team than Ubuntu – some new features arrive slower
❌ Based on Ubuntu – inherits some Ubuntu quirks (kernel or library changes)
❌ Less focus on servers or cloud – Mint is strictly a desktop distro

Moreover, it’s worth mentioning

- that Linux Mint continues to grow as a user-friendly system because the developers consistently focus on real-world needs. As a result, users receive a system that is both practical and reliable in everyday situations. In addition, the clear interface helps people navigate easily, even if they are completely new to Linux.

Furthermore,

-many built-in tools simplify common tasks, making the whole experience smoother from the very beginning. Besides that, the community-driven approach ensures that Mint evolves in a direction that users actually want. Consequently, people feel confident choosing Mint not only for personal use but also for work. Ultimately, all these factors together create an operating system that feels stable, modern, and ready for anyone who expects a trouble-free experience.

Top Linux Hardware Databases – Check What Works with Linux

Posted on August 9, 2025August 6, 2026 by balihobi

Top Databases of Working Hardware for Linux

Linux Hardware Databases

If you’re switching to Linux or building a new PC, it’s a good idea to check which hardware components work flawlessly with it.
Not every graphics card, Wi-Fi adapter, or printer has reliable Linux drivers.
Luckily, there are several large databases where you can easily verify hardware compatibility before you buy.

Linux Hardware Database (linux-hardware.org)

🔗 https://linux-hardware.org

This is currently the largest and most up-to-date Linux hardware database.
It contains millions of records about motherboards, CPUs, GPUs, monitors, and peripherals.
The data is collected directly from users through the hw-probe tool.

➡️ You can filter results by distribution, kernel version, or specific device.
✅ Highly recommended – accurate, open, and community-driven.

Linux Laptop Wiki

🔗 https://linux-laptop.net

This site focuses entirely on laptops.
Each entry describes which components work and which do not — such as Wi-Fi, touchpad, audio, or suspend mode.
Most information comes from real users sharing their experience with different Linux distributions.

Ubuntu Certified Hardware

🔗 https://ubuntu.com/certified

An official database by Canonical, listing hardware certified for Ubuntu.
If you want a guaranteed smooth experience without manual tweaking, this is the best place to start.
It’s also valid for Ubuntu-based distributions like Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Pop!_OS.

Fedora Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)

🔗 https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Category:Hardware

A smaller but useful list of compatible hardware contributed by Fedora users.
You can also find troubleshooting notes for specific kernel or driver issues.

Arch Linux Wiki – Hardware Compatibility

🔗 https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Category:Hardware

The Arch Wiki isn’t a typical database, but it contains a huge amount of information about hardware components.
You’ll find detailed guides for setting up graphics cards, network adapters, sound chips, and specific laptop models.
Perfect for users who like to fine-tune their systems manually.

Phoronix Hardware Database

🔗 https://openbenchmarking.org

This database is focused on performance testing under Linux.
It includes thousands of benchmark results for CPUs, GPUs, SSDs, and more.
It’s ideal if you want to compare the performance of different components or check how they perform on specific kernels or distributions.

If you want to be sure your hardware works well with Linux, start with linux-hardware.org — it’s the most complete and reliable resource.
And before buying a new laptop or PC, always check it in the Ubuntu Certified Hardware list.

These databases can save you hours of frustration and ensure your Linux experience is smooth and driver-friendly.

Hey Linux friends!

We’ve all faced that moment of doubt: will my new laptop, graphics card, or even a tiny USB adapter work with Linux? Sometimes it’s smooth sailing, other times it feels like a lottery. That’s why it’s so valuable to share our experiences and help others find hardware that just works without the headaches.

Share your hardware stories – what works, what doesn’t – and make life easier for fellow Linux users.

Are you running Linux on your desktop, laptop, GPU, network card, or even a sound card? Tell us how it’s working for you!

At some point, we’ve all asked: “Will this device work with Linux?” Your feedback could save someone else time, frustration, and money.

How can you share?

Just drop a short post including:

the name and exact model of your device,
the chip ID (you can grab it with lspci or lsusb),
the distribution you’re using,
and a quick note about what works well and what still causes trouble.

Why bother?

👉 You’ll help other Linux users choose hardware that actually works.
👉 Your post will be added to our list of verified devices.
👉 Together we’re building a community-driven database that makes Linux life easier for everyone.

Need inspiration?

You don’t have to be a pro – just share your real experience. Whether it’s a gaming rig, an old laptop, a graphics card, or a simple USB dongle, every bit of info helps.