I installed both Ubuntu 11.10 and Mint 12 in "virtual boxes" (VirtualBox on Win. 7). Both of them "suck" IMO. I have installed XFCE, Gnome Fallback, Gnome-panel, uninstalled MATE and others. It is total frustration, not to mention the learning curve. I liked the use of panels in Ubuntu 10.04 and 10.10, especially the "Force Quit", which seems to have disappeared. I know, you can "drag" the icon to the panel (but then figure out how to delete it without doing a google search - and then find out you need to start digging through the file system - gnome - using "gnome classic (no effects)" or any other desktop doesn't provide removal from the panels). It seems Ubuntu/Mint/Win. 7 were trying to imitate Apple desktops. If I wanted an Apple, I would have bought an Apple. Another problem I had (more due to VirtualBox) was to build an xorg.conf file that supported my Nvidia GeForce (9200) card and my AOC 19 inch display. Fortunately, I found out how to do this when I had a simialr problem with an old Toshiba lap-top - could not get a "full" screen display unless I provided a xorg.conf file for the configuration. The NVidia drivers Ubuntu/Mint use don't seem to support all Nvidia cards. Personally, I'd tell anyone to stay with Ubuntu 10.04 (or 10.10) or the Mint equivalent if they prefer Mint (provides too much stuff I never use) - I can either install what I need with Ubuntu and uninstall what I don't want with Mint. Same holds true for XP vs Win. 7. I have an old Acer lap-top (512MB) that runs just fine with Win. XP Pro and Ubuntu (10.10 Wubi install - Windows directory - couldn't get 10.04 to install on it - even the live CD hung - 10.04.1, 10.04.2 and 10.04.3). The old 512MB Toshiba lap-top has just Ubuntu 10.04 installed and my new desktop (came with Win. 7) uses VirtualBox to run Linux (faster than the lap-tops).