I'm a long time fan of the Linux Mint desktop[1], so I've been looking forward to the next long-term support (LTS) version of Mint. Now, the beta, Linux Mint 20.1 Ulyssa[2], is here and I can hardly wait for the general release. Based on the early Mint 20.1 beta bug reports[3], it won't be long until the new Mint's ready for production use.
One reason I'm excited about the Mint 20.1 release is that it's based on Ubuntu 20.04[4], which is an outstanding Linux desktop in its own right. This new version of Mint will be supported until 2025. So, if all goes well I plan on using it for years to come.
Also: Where CentOS Linux users can go from here[5]
As always, this new Mint will run on systems so low-powered you'd otherwise condemn them to the junkyard. For example, you only need a single GB of RAM, although 2GBs is recommended. For storage space, you only need 15GBs of disk space with 20GB recommended. And, as for your monitor and video, if it can support 1024×768 resolution, or even lower, you're in business.
The only exception for running Linux Mint on older PCs is it no longer supports 32-bit systems. Still, even Microsoft finally gave up shipping 32-bit Windows earlier this year[6]. Generally speaking, if your PC is eight years old or newer, it can run Mint. Even older machines from the 2000s will run Mint so long as they have 64-bit processors.
Under the Mint 20.1 hood, you'll find Linux-firmware 1.187 and the Linux kernel 5.4. With Linux 5.4, Mint now supports:
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Kernel lockdown mode[7]: This optional LSM (Linux Security Module) keeps preventing the root account