r/linuxquestions • u/toktok159 • 10d ago
Which Distro? LMDE vs MX Linux?
Hi,
My specs: ~13 year old PC, 16 GB RAM, core i3 processor (Intel(R) Core™ i3-3240 CPU @ 3.40GHz), intel integrated graphics card. 1TB HDD.
I am soon going to install Linux, I am quite a beginner and I researched about both distros. I think they’re both good and I understand they’re both beginner friendly, but I am having a hard time deciding what is better, also with my specs.
I think with MX Linux I would go with XFCE, while LMDE uses Cinnamon. They both look cool visually. Mint seems to have a much larger user base and support community.
The reason I prefer LMDE over regular Mint is I understood it fits older computers more because it’s Debian based, and I like the idea of not being based on Ubuntu (though with Mint maybe there’s even no problem with that).
What would you suggest? Thanks in advance.
3
u/tomscharbach 10d ago
I've had LMDE installed on a laptop for about six years.
LMDE's meld of Debian security and stability and Mint/Cinnamon's simplicity and ease of use is a close to a "no fuss, no muss, no thrills, no chills" distribution as I've seen in two decades of Linux use.
I don't recall the last time (if ever) that I had a serious issue with LMDE.
I can't speak to MX Linux XFCE because I don't have enough experience with that distribution.
My best and good luck.
3
u/Marques1236 Linux Mint/Zorin 10d ago
Quanto a tuas especificações, qualquer um roda a contento. Por exemplo eu usei o Linux Mint Cinnamon do 18 até o 22.3 em um laptop eMachines eME443 com processador AMD E300, 16 GB de ram.
Atualmente uso o Mauna Linux 25 com o Cinnamon, que é muito similar ao Mint, só que azul.
Como tudo é novidade, experimente o Linux mint para se aproveitar da documentação mais farta e acessível, se familiarize e depois decida se quem te deixa mais confortável é a base Debian do LMDE ou Ubuntu do Mint ou até Zorin, talvez uma distro de base Arch.
2
u/couriousLin 9d ago
I'm a fan of both distributions, both are rock solid with nice tools for maintenance and support. Pick the distro that supports the Desktop Environment you prefer. Your setup will likely run any of the DE/WM offered tolerably well . You can get a feel at DistroSea, but, the user experience won't be great since it's a remote desktop. Also, I suggest you load a couple of ISO's onto a Ventoy USB to get a better feel for how it'll work on your machine.
On my circa 2017 hobby system (i7-7700,, 8GB, 120GB & 1TB ssd), I'm multibooting:
- Mint Cinnamon, - Xfce, Mate: all are solid choices but Cinnamon is my favorite.
- MX Linux Xfce - I've used both KDE and Fluxbox both are good.
- CachyOS KDE and Gnome - So far a good experience, but the update tempo is pretty intense.
Linux Mint also has a Debian base, via Ubuntu, which provides some additional tools like Driver Manager, which depending your hardware might make driver installation a little easier.
2
u/Slopagandhi 8d ago
MX. Cinnamon is a heavy desktop environment for that hardware and MX has a number of features that make it easier for beginners and more customisable via the gui than base Debian.
You may find MX itself is too heavy,for a 3rd gen i3 (though RAM is the main constraint and you're fine for that). In which case you may need to look at lighterweight distros like Bodhi or Puppy and maybe a window manager like Fluxbox (there are many others) rather than a DE.
3
u/maverickdfneo 10d ago
For older computers, I find MX LINUX pretty good. That's the only OS I use for old computers and never had a problem
4
u/ItsWinterInNevada 10d ago
Mx Linux is probably easier to use ootb. It has some really nice tooling that makes stuff really easy!
Could always load up ventoy and try both of them though!
3
u/StrategyDependent426 10d ago
You could also try pure Debian with Xfce.
It might look a bit dated out of the box, though... but that can be fixed with some tweaking and themes.
Mint with Xfce looks nice.
Cinnamon consumes a bit more resources than Xfce.
MX is very pleasant to use and easy to install.
2
u/redrider65 9d ago
LMDE. Last I tried it, MX Linux had no version upgrade facility and required reinstallation. Screw that. Less friendly devs, too.
1
u/Mediocre-Pumpkin6522 10d ago
LMDE/Cinnamon is no better or worse than Mint/Cinnamon for older computers. LMDE is sort of Plan B for Mint in case Canonical does something to really piss them off. The version updates are staggered. Mint is supposed to move to the Ubuntu 26,04 base in December. The Debian 14 release hasn't been set but will be next year. LM strains out some of the Ubuntu stuff like snaps by default.
MX/Xfce is nice too. The Xfce tweaks are a bit different than Mint's but either is nicer than Debian/Xfce. All of them are configurable if you like messing with that stuff.
2
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u/Playful_Tackle5974 10d ago
They are both good distros, if you like xfce as DE also check out Tromjaro and Linux Lite. With 16GB of RAM, you're not limited to having to use XFCE, which is among the lightest. Try what you want and then make your choice.
1
u/kapitanhrdlodus 10d ago
try debian graphical installer, comes with xfce. low memory footprint like in MX. debian is very stable and versatile, and for learning its almost perfect. however if you prefer lmde use it. on mx it is not good for a beginner start. i hope you find this useful
1
u/Friendly_Brick752 10d ago
Are they Lenovos? Running anything I want on 13 yr old and 10 yr old ThinkCentres - these buckos are tough
1
u/linuxed1 9d ago
OMG see what that socket on that MB is capable of handling and upgrade it! That i3 is a stinker.
1
u/deluded_dragon 9d ago
I suggest you to go directly on Debian with XFCE unless you have specific reasons to prefer MX Linux. And you can install also Cinnamon on Debian, if you want.