Linux

Lemmy is not like Reddit, you can edit the title even after the post was made.

Also, the latest release of Linux Mint is Xia:
https://www.linuxmint.com/download_all.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Mint#Release_history

Yes, I would recommend creating a backup (perhaps on your phone or a different computer over the network) and then upgrading to 21 and then 22. IMHO Mint has steadily gotten better and there is typically no reason to stay on an older version.

It's possible for an upgrade to break things and leave your system in an unusable state or cause your data to be lost.

However, that could happen at any time with no warning. Your hard drive could break, your charger could cause a short, your laptop could get stolen. If you have any files you don't want to lose, I'd strongly recommend you set up a backup asap.

In terms of whether to actually upgrade, Mint 20.3 stops receiving security updates in April so you should probably upgrade to 21 sometime before then.

Regarding backups: check out, if your WiFi router supports network sharing. If so, you can just plug in an USB or external drive and share it over your local network

Things can go bad during an upgrade, for example the new mint 22.1 introduced some booting delay bugs that currently fills the linux mint forum with complaints. Not a big problem, and not for all users, but small hiccups can exist. So if you want to upgrade, do have a working usb. Otherwise, change the ssd inside the laptop. Or, get a "new", refurbished laptop. I recently got an 8 GB ram laptop for $150, works fine, plenty fast for Mint, great condition, no complaints.

Does your laptop have an SD card slot? Maybe you could do a backup that way?

Once you get your backup sorted I would just do a fresh install of 22.1 Xia. You'll be fine with that older hardware. I don't think the new stuff from 20.3 to 22.1 would make you notice a severe difference. If you have 4 GB of RAM that's your limiter, but I'd have said the same thing when 20.3 came out.

As for the age of your laptop, it's perfectly fine. I still use one from 2011 and it's doing great.

However if this is your only computer, don't risk it until the USB ports are fixed. Someone already mentioned but if you have an SD card slot, it might be your way out. Backup your files that way and you can upgrade with peace in mind. Though there is even a newer version now so it's better to fresh install rather than upgrade twice. After you move your files somewhere else, you can use an SD card to install Linux as well.

So I’m wondering if an upgrade is safe because

Imho that's the wrong question. Without backup nothing is safe whether you pate the OS or not. Anything can happen (the disk can die, the computer can be stolen,...) and, yes, most upgrades should go without any issue but then one won't go well and then what? You need to do backups, we should all ;)

I’m currently using Proton and still have to move to another service

I've moved to Filen (German end-to-end encrypted cloud you can rent (or buy) for a year or... a month (maybe worth the cost at least for a month when you will upgrade) and it works real nice for me on Mint 22.1

Depending the storage you need, you can get from 10 to 50Go for free: 10 base *+10 if you use crate your account using this affiliate link (no string attached, it's real free storage) and up to 30Go more if you also share your own affiliate link. If you're wondering, I use their 2To lifetime plan.

2/ Related to the first question: I’m using a old laptop (asus zenbook from 2015 or 2016, can’t remember), so would I be find with an old hardware such as mine?

It's not that old, you should not worry much ;)