Linux Mint team announced the latest release of Linux Mint version 17.2 code-named "Rafaela", it is updated version based on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, and Linux Mint 17.2 now features Cinnamon 2.6/Mate 1.10, MDM 2.0, a Linux kernel 3.16 and an Ubuntu 14.04 package base. Linux Mint 17.2 will receive security updates until 2019. Until 2016, future versions of Linux Mint will use the same package base as Linux Mint 17.2, making it trivial for people to upgrade. Until 2016, the development team won't start working on a new base and will be fully focused on this one. It comes with updated software and brings refinements and many new features to make your desktop experience more comfortable to use.
"A huge amount of work was done to review the CPU usage in various parts of Cinnamon and many improvements were made. Performance was gained by optimizing how Cinnamon reacts to particular events and reducing the number of tasks or repeated tasks it performs. Support for multiple monitors was improved. Better window list actions and new key-bindings allow you to move windows to other monitors (Super+Shift with arrow keys by default). But the most significant improvement is that you can now have multiple panels and place them across multiple monitors. Applets are better than before at running multiple instances of themselves and some of them got smarter to accommodate multi-monitor/multi-panel setups. For instance a window list applet won't show you windows from another monitor if that monitor has a panel with its own window list.
MATE can now take full advantage of mixer functionality and it is able to automatically detect and support PulseAudio, ALSA and OSS.
MDM was given better support for NVIDIA Prime. On NVIDIA Optimus equipped computers, you can now switch between your Intel and your NVIDIA card with a simple log out. You no longer need to reboot. UEFI is fully supported. Note: Linux Mint does not use digital signatures and does not register to be certified by Microsoft as being a 'secure' OS. As such, it will not boot with Secure Boot. If your system is using Secure Boot, turn it off. Note: Linux Mint places its boot files in /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu to work around this bug. This does not prevent the installation of multiple releases or distributions, or dual-boots between Ubuntu and Linux Mint, as they can all be bootable from the same GRUB menu." You can checkout complete release announcement for Cinnamon and Mate versions.
Cinnamon 2.6 Desktop

Gained support for XScreenSaver modules and HTML5 screensavers

The "System Settings" were redesigned and reorganized using a beautiful new look, layout and transitions

The window effects settings were simplified and cool new effects were introduced

Nemo features a brand new plugin manager

PPAs can now be browsed and you can install packages directly from the Software Sources configuration tool

The Update Manager now uses the entire window to show errors when they happen, or to report that your system is up to date

A new session detection mechanism was implemented. You can get more info here

Mate 1.10 Desktop

In the Caja file browser, you can now enable/disable extensions at run-time


Highlights of Linux Mint 17.2:

  • Cinnamon 2.6 (Responsiveness and memory usage; More polished; More settings and hardware support)
  • MATE 1.10 desktop environment.
  • Linux Kernel 3.16
  • logind/consolekit-upower support in Cinnamon.
  • Multi-monitor and multi-panel support in Cinnamon.
  • Responsiveness, load times and CPU usage improved for Cinnamon.
  • Panel and applets improvements for Cinnamon.
  • The window effects settings were simplified and cool new effects were introduced for Cinnamon.
  • System settings were redesigned and reorganized.
  • Nemo features a brand new plugin manager.
  • In the Caja file browser, you can now enable/disable extensions at run-time.
  • Software Sources configuration tool you can now open PPA archives and browse their packages.
  • The user interface of the Language Settings was redesigned
  • Update Manager upgraded.
  • The MDM 2.0 display manager features many under-the-hood improvements.
  • Better support for UEFI, NVIDIA and Optimus cards.
  • The USB Image Writer and the USB Stick Formatter now recognize a wider variety of USB sticks.
  • MATE can now take full advantage of mixer functionality and it is able to automatically detect and support PulseAudio, ALSA and OSS.
  • Mate Edition comes with two window managers installed and configures by default.
    • Marco (MATE's very own window manager, simple, fast and very stable).
    • Compiz (an advanced compositing window manager which can do wonders if your hardware supports it).
    • Compiz used for desktop effects.
  • Linux Mint 17.2 will receive security updates until 2019.
  • And many more.


Download:

Linux Mint 17.2 Cinnamon Version
PC 32bit - LinuxMint-17.2-Cinnamon-32bit.iso (1.39GB, torrent)
PC 64bit - LinuxMint-17.2-Cinnamon-64bit.iso (1.51GB, torrent)
Download - VMware and VirtualBox Images

Linux Mint 17.2 Mate Version
PC 32bit - LinuxMint-17.2-Mate-32bit.iso (1.46GB, torrent)
PC 64bit - LinuxMint-17.2-Mate-64bit.iso (1.58GB, torrent)
Download - VMware and VirtualBox Images

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