No reason not to use Ubuntu. Huge community, up-to-date packages, every dev tool should work out of the box.

You might want to take a look at http://elementaryos.org/ (it's based on ubuntu too, so almost everything will just work the same). Not stable yet though.

The differences are pretty minute. It's boils down to a different default install and most likely a different desktop environment. If you're using the same applications -- and as a web dev, that's quite likely -- it's not that much different than modifying your Windows setup a bit (different start menu, theme maybe, small launcher app). Although those tiny differences matter a lot for people, so it's always worth checking it it, maybe in a virtual machine or a second PC. But switching to Mint really wouldn't change your daily work habits, and the system underneath is virtually identical.

As opposed to e.g. CrunchBang (desktop-wise) or Arch (system/packages)...

I personally prefer Ubuntu, my brother uses Linux Mint. I haven't found much difference between the two in terms of workflow, but Linux Mint does keep the Linux ethos more closer to it's heart than Ubuntu does, as Ubuntu has taken the direction of trying to create an easy-to-use-for-the-non-technical OS that can serve as a replacement for the likes of Windows/Mac (while not quite exactly there just yet).

I run Ubuntu, the web service packages are well represented and are reasonably up to date and the setup is nearly no-brainer (well, as no-brainer as webserver setup can be.)

The clincher for ubuntu over others, for me, has been the community support - it is such an active community googling ubuntu and your issue usually finds you effective answers in minutes; not always so easy on some of the other ones.

Depends on the server you will use. If its DebianLinux Mint LMDE is nice and if you use Ubuntu then, Ubuntu.

Among my circle of nerd friends, we generally believe that if you aren't even considering a custom distribution, Ubuntu is the only way to go.

But on HN, I'm sure 'them's fightin' words'.

I use linux mint cinnamon. It is a bit cleaner and lighter than unity.

You might also like xubuntu or linux mint xfce. They use the lighter weight desktop environments xfce.

It may be too big of a transition, but I really like crunchbang. I would just spin up a VM for each ubuntu, mint, crunchbang, and centos, and see what floats your boat.

I switched to crunchbang when I got a new laptop and it's a pleasure to work on and has been useful for getting more experience in terminal. Building your own menus has also helped me keep everything very streamline, I only add what is actually necessary, rather than having tons of programs I used once or twice waste space.

For vps/server I prefer centos/debian.

edit: also wanted to add that crunchbang has run much faster for me than lubuntu which I previously was using. Generally ~200-250mb ram, boots extremely quick as well. It will run great on an old junk pc, or a new workstation.

I love Crunchbang, but I've found that Openbox often leads to chronic customization syndrome, especially because you have to customize somewhat, so if you're prone to that sort of thing, be careful.

Thanks all for suggestions..After many of you suggested I decided to go for Ubuntu only since there is no much difference..

Linux mint is definitely the best transition from a lifetime windows user. Its like a sleek robust XP.