MX Linux

MX Linux is a Linux distribution based on Debian stable and using core antiX components, with additional software created or packaged by the MX community. The development of MX Linux is a collaborative effort between the antiX and former MEPIS communities. The MX name comes from the "M" in MEPIS and the "X" in antiX — an acknowledgment of their roots. The community's stated goal is to produce "a family of operating systems that are designed to combine elegant and efficient desktops with high stability and solid performance".

MX Linux uses Xfce as the main desktop environment, to which it adds a free-standing KDE Plasma version and, in 2021, a stand-alone Fluxbox implementation. Other environments can be added or are available as "spin-off" ISO images.

History
MX Linux began in a discussion about future options among members of the MEPIS community in December 2013. Developers from antiX then joined them, bringing the ISO build system as well as Live-USB/DVD technology. To be listed on the Linux distribution clearinghouse Web site DistroWatch, MX Linux was initially presented as a version of antiX. It received its own DistroWatch page with the release of the first public beta of MX-16 on November 2, 2016.


 * The MX-14, codename "Symbiosis", series was based on Debian Stable "Wheezy", using Xfce 4.10 and then, with the 14.4 release, Xfce 4.12. The MX-14 versions were intended to fit onto a CD-ROM, which limited the number of applications that could be included. This series saw the gradual evolution of the MX Tools, a collection of utilities to help users with common tasks that are often complicated and obscure.


 * MX-15 "Fusion" moved to the new Debian Stable "Jessie" using systemd-shim, meaning that systemd is installed, but the default init is sysvinit. The size limitation was lifted, enabling the developers to present a full turnkey product. There was a substantial expansion of MX Tools.


 * MX-16 "Metamorphosis" was still based on Debian Stable "Jessie", but with many applications backported and added from other sources. There were further refinements to MX Tools, the import of advanced antiX developments, expanded support, and a completely new icon/theme/wallpaper collection.


 * MX-16.1 collected all bug fixes and improvements since MX-16, added a new kingfisher theme, upgraded and streamlined MX Tools, revised documentation, and added new translations.


 * MX-17 "Horizon" changed its base to Debian 9 (Stretch) and brought upgraded artwork, new MX Tools, improved Live operation via antiX and other changes.


 * MX-18 "Continuum" continued the development of MX Tools, introduced a new kernel, enabled whole disk encryption, and added GRUB themes, splash functionality through MX Boot options artwork, and improved localization.


 * MX-19 "Patito feo" upgraded its base to Debian 10 (Buster) and its default desktop to Xfce 4.14. It is characterized by new and revised Tools, artwork, documentation, localization, and technical features.


 * MX-21 "Wildflower" was released on October 21, 2021. It is based on Debian 11.0 (Bullseye) and is available as Xfce, KDE or Fluxbox versions. Details in the MX Blog.


 * MX-21.1 was released on April 9, 2022. It is based on Debian 11.3 (Bullseye) and is available as Xfce, Xfce AHS, KDE, and Fluxbox versions. Disk Manager returns and for share settings, MX Samba Config app (GUI) is included. Further details are in the MX blog.


 * MX-21.2 was released on August 28, 2022. It is based on Debian 11.4 (Bullseye) and is available as Xfce, KDE, Xfce AHS, and Fluxbox versions. Further details are in the MX blog.


 * MX-21.2.1 was released on September 18, 2022. It is based on Debian 11.5 (Bullseye) and is available as Xfce, Xfce AHS, KDE, and Fluxbox versions. Includes Debian's recent Grub-PC updates. Further details are in the MX blog.


 * MX-21.3 3rd refresh of MX-21, was released on January 14, 2023. Based on Debian 11.6 with bug fixes, new kernels, and many application updates. Available as Xfce (4.18), Xfce AHS, KDE, and Fluxbox versions. Further details are in the MX blog.


 * MX-23 "Libretto" was released on July 31, 2023. Based on Debian 12 with bug fixes, new kernels, and many application updates. Available as Xfce (4.18), Xfce AHS, KDE, and Fluxbox versions. Further details are in the MX blog.


 * MX-23.1 "Libretto" was released on October 15, 2023. ISO refresh of the initial MX-23 release, consisting of bug fixes, newer kernels, and application updates.


 * MX-23.2 "Libretto" was released on January 21, 2024. 2nd ISO refresh of MX-23, consisting of Debian 12.4, bug fixes, newer kernels, updated firmware & mesa libraries, Pipewire 1.0, and two new tools MX Locale and papirus-folder-colors.


 * MX-23.3 "Libretto" was released on May 19, 2024. 3rd ISO refresh of MX-23, consisting of Debian 12.5, bug fixes, newer kernels, updated firmware & mesa libraries, Pipewire 1.0, and two new tools MX Locale and papirus-folder-colors.

Desktop environments
MX Linux has four desktop editions:
 * Xfce is a fast and medium-low resource usage desktop environment. 32-bit, 64-bit, and Advanced Hardware Support (AHS) versions are available. Xfce developers officially released version 4.18 of Xfce on December 15, 2022. MX-21.x users received the update to Xfce 4.18 in mid-January 2023.
 * Fluxbox is a window manager with very low resource usage. This edition was first released on October 21, 2021.  32-bit and 64-bit versions are available.
 * KDE is available only as a 64-bit Advanced Hardware Support (AHS) version. It currently features version 5.27 of the KDE Plasma desktop and Linux kernel 6.0 (or later). This edition was first released on August 16, 2020.
 * AHS (Advanced Hardware Support), a 64-bit only version with newer graphics drivers, currently with Linux kernel 6.0 (or newer) and firmware for very recent hardware (for example, AMD Ryzen and AMD Radeon RX graphics cards or 9th/10th/11th generation Intel CPUs). Starting with MX 21.3 a KDE version of AHS was made available.

Recent releases
A table of current MX Linux Development Team supported releases and how long Debian will provide Long Term Support.

Features
MX Linux has basic tools like a graphic installer that handles Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) computers, a GUI-based method to change a Linux kernel and other core programs.

It includes MX Tools, a suite of user-oriented utilities, many of which were developed specifically for MX, while some were forked from existing antiX applications or are existing antiX applications; a couple were imported with permission from outside sources. These tools are also available in Debian Stable-based Linux distributions, and some of the main tools are as follows:
 * Live-USB Kernel Updater
 * Live USB Maker
 * RemasterCC
 * Snapshot
 * Boot Options
 * Boot Repair
 * Cleanup
 * FormatUSB

A particularly popular one is MX-snapshot, a GUI tool to remaster a live session or installation into a single .ISO file. The "cloned" image is bootable from a disk or USB flash drive, maintaining all settings, allowing an installation to be completely backed up, and/or distributed with minimal administrative effort, since an advanced method of copying the file system developed by antiX Linux uses bind-mounts to perform the "heavy lifting".

System requirements
Minimum
 * 8.5 GB hard disk space for installation.
 * 1 GB RAM for i686 and AMD64 architectures.
 * Bootable CD-DVD drive or capability of booting from USB Flash memory.
 * A modern i686 Intel or AMD processor.

Recommended
 * 20 GB of hard disk space, SSD for faster performance.
 * 2 GB of RAM.
 * Multi-core processor for good performance.
 * 3D-capable graphics card for 3D desktop support.
 * SoundBlaster, AC97 or HDA-compatible sound card.
 * For use as a LiveUSB, 8 GB free if using persistence.

Derivatives
The developers of MX Linux also have been releasing "Community Re-spins" which are treated as unofficial releases. There are MX-Workbench, MX_Minimal, MX_CLI and so on.

MX users can further customize these re-spins by using a software application called "MX Snapshot". Some community members exchanging posts at MX Forum and distribute their custom respins. AV Linux is one of well-known respins.