A community for everything relating to the GNU/Linux operating system (except the memes!)
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Original icon base courtesy of lewing@isc.tamu.edu and The GIMP
In this context "Linux desktop" means not a server. Or in other words, a Linux computer with a graphical user interface. So it includes laptops. I can't think of any software that would work on a desktop that wouldn't work on laptop.
You'll sometimes see the "desktop" clarification because technically the majority of Linux computers are headless servers. (Headless means no screen.)
@Uair @linux If it's running Mint, use the Software Manager wherever possible. Really best to avoid the windows style "download off the web and run the installer" as Linux generally doesn't work well that way.
Using the SW manager on Mint, you should be able to install network-manager-openvpn and this will add a plugin to the network manager (e.g. wifi icon) to allow adding a VPN connection. Ping me if you need help.
WRT antivirus, personally, I don't install it, as most malware these days is browser based, but still tends to rely on a Windows or Apple backend, thus usually can't run on Linux machines. I may just have been lucky but I've been using Linux since about 1994 and never had a virus. I've also worked as a Linux admin for 15 years, and even run antivirus systems on commercial linux servers, but never had to deal with any infections. On Windows systems, the reverse was true. The most I've had to deal with is script-kiddie intrusions on server due to weak passwords or vulnerable software being exploited, neither of which anti-v would have helped with. Having said that, you can install ClamAV if you'd prefer. Will be relevant if you're intending to install random software off the internet... YMMV!
@Uair @linux
There are multiple different types of Linux operating system that are different in different ways.
The way to find out what you have is to open a terminal and type "uname -a"
It will show you what version of the Linux kernel you are running and cpu architecture you are running on.
If your expressvpn package was built for a different cpu architecture that would be the problem, or if it was packaged for a different distribution.
There are sophisticated vpn facilities built in to Linux kernels greater than 5.0 so user facing software that sets it up for you should not be that complex.
Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu Linux. Make sure you are using a .deb which is meant for Ubuntu (or Debian). Laptop is Desktop, as in they are the same OS.
Either double-click the .deb file and click the install button.
Alternatively you might be able to right-click to get a context menu and click install from there.
Last option, you could install the .deb from the terminal app. Open the terminal, type cd ~/Downloads (if the file is in your Downloads folder), then type sudo dpkg -i ./EXPRESSVPN.deb (replace EXPRESSVPN with the exact file name), press enter and type your password.
All these install options do the same thing.
Don't worry about CPU architectures. If you dont know what that is, then ypu dont need to worry. If the .deb has x86, x64, or amd64, that is tbe right file. If it doesnt say anything then just choose the normal .deb.
@Uair @linux
Do your last question, no you don't need an antivirus. 99.9% of viruses are still being written for Windows machines because it's just a larger attack vector. On a Lenox machine you would not give the thing permission to run, and even if you did, it's a .exe file that won't run anyhow. The main reason for running antivirus on Linux is if you share files with other Windows users, you might get a file in that has a Windows virus that you would then pass on to your friend without even knowing about it.
Is your version of Mint current and up to date?
I assume you downloaded some package from their website and ran it. Don't do that, always install packages through your package manager. Not sure what that looks like on Mint these days (other than apt, I assume).
Alternatively, most VPN services will let you download a config file that can be imported into Network Manager that will get your VPN connection integrated into existing tools without needing their GUI.
"Linux desktop" usually just means it has a GUI, there is no difference for a laptop. The other option is usually Linux command line, which would be more targeted to servers / machines without graphics.
You only need VPNs for torrents if you're using them from public trackers.
You don't need antivirus on Linux.