Mint 17.1 upgrade launched.

[#1]

Simple. Update Mint Update.
Click Edit/Upgrade
follow on screen instructions.
It leaves the kernel as is, but that can be upgraded using the Update tool under View/Kernels.

[#2]

Works well for me.

[#3]

Ubuntu 14.04LTS user here.
I'll have to give mint 17.1 a try in virtual box.

[#4]

Under a VM you can't get compiz running if you use the Mate version (like me) but otherwise should be the same as a normal install. It includes the VB drivers by default.
Did an upgrade on my laptop, it rebooted and had issues with running sabnbzdplus, another reboot and it all works fine.
On this pc I did a fresh install as I was installing an SSD, so I have the original 17 install on my hdd if I need to switch.

[#5]

Thanks for the info @Hairy McBiker.
I'll give it a try.

[#6]

+1

[#7]

Quote from: Hairy

Under a VM you can't get compiz running if you use the Mate version

I think it should work in VirtualBox (compiz / emerald worked for me on the Fedora 20 MATE spin).

[#8]

The release notes say it doesn't but I haven't tried it. You would probably need the 3d option set (experimental) for the vm.

[#9]

I got Mint 17.1 installed on Virtualbox at work and all is fine & dandy 
Also put the installed image onto a memory stick and have it running on home PC now too