New system setup advice

Any tips on things worth doing when setting up a "new" Linux (Mint MATE 21) system.

I say "new" because the install is new, the SSD it is going on is new, but I'm restoring it to a timeshift image (originally made on a different but similar PC) which I made last time I did a fresh install, after I'd installed al my programs and settings but before I'd but many documents or media files on to it.

I'm following through some of the notes from:
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com
particularly the bits about SSD setup.

Although I know opinions are mixed about if and when to TRIM? Should I follow that guide ( https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com/p/ssd.html ) in full or not?

but is there anything else I should do too, whilst the system is fresh?
Thanks

P.S. I know Linux doesn't have "drivers" as Windows does, but are there any hardware specific files I need to edit to account for the fact that the hardware the system was originally installed on was not identical to the hardware I've restored the image on to (via this method of mine: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/790526/compressing-a-timeshift-snapshot-to-fileeasily-portable-storage-of-snapshots/ ) To be clear, it boots fine and seems to run fine, so any issues related to different hardware would be more subtle things.

Edited by rp88, 10 May 2024 - 03:00 PM.

I have Mint Cinnamon 21.1 running on a 500GB SSD which is 5 years old...Trim is set to run daily...I also run Trim manually now and then.

 

I only do a clean install every 5 years or when support is nearly up for my version.  Once my clean install has everything I need...Software...Browsers...settings...Printer/Scanner...wine etc.  I'll create a Snapshot with Timeshift to an external HDD and create an image with Foxclone or Redorescue or both to another external SSD.

 

Of cause I don't do a clean install to the same SSD...I'll do it to a spare SSD of the same size...as we know a new version could have bugs. 

 

Speaking of Trim...you can also Trim external SSDs too.   There are many articles on why Trim is so important and they are worth a read.