MX Linux 25.2: The New Sensation in the Geordie Community
MX Linux 25.2 has arrived, now featuring kernel 7.0 if you opt for it – although improvements are still needed for the Raspberry Pi version. Over the past few years, MX Linux has quietly become one of GadgetLad’s preferred distros. It boasts several appealing qualities, and with the release of version 25.2 late last month, some of the rougher edges from the substantial upgrade to version 25 are being refined. We reviewed MX Linux 25 last November and noted that a particularly neat feature from earlier versions had been omitted.
No More Init Selections at Boot
In MX 23 and earlier, you could select which init system the OS utilized every time it booted: for example, you could generally operate with the traditional sysvinit, but if you needed to install something that required systemd, you could temporarily start with systemd as the init, install your application, and then revert back. In our tests, we discovered that some applications necessitate Agent P’s multi-purpose “System and Service Manager” for installation, but once they’re on your system, they can run quite happily without it. Alternatively, if it’s an application you use only sporadically, you can boot with systemd only when necessary.
A Fresh Path Ahead
The method MX Linux used is no longer functional on kernel 6.12 or higher. Therefore, to maintain a selection of inits, MX 25.0 required you to choose at the installation stage: either the systemd version or the sysvinit version. (Additionally, if you wanted KDE Plasma, it was solely available in systemd form.) MX Linux 25.1 rectified this with a new, alternative, switchable-init system.
Challenges with Upgrading
However, this made the upgrade from 23 to 25 complicated, and after attempting it, the OS remained operational, but the useful suite of MX Tools ceased to function. These tools aren’t essential, but they greatly simplify common configurations and adjustments like installing additional external applications, switching repositories and mirrors, managing kernel versions, installing extra device drivers such as the perpetually troublesome Nvidia drivers, and more. They represent a key advantage of the distro and are certainly worthwhile.
Giving It another Shot
We unearthed a machine from our testing fleet, which runs MX, and utilized the installation option that overlays an existing MX installation. It operated smoothly, with some conditions: it isn’t quite as effective as Ubuntu’s in-place reinstall, which preserves your home directory while reinstalling the OS around it. MX simply replaces the previous OS; it doesn’t retain any configuration from it – but it’s faster and simpler than manual partitioning. We had to reactivate our swap partition and create a user account that matched the previous one, but everything functioned properly.
MX Tools Come to the Aid
With MX Tools, it was quick and straightforward to select local repositories for updates and reinstall some useful proprietary applications like Google Chrome and Slack. The distribution comes with Flatpak installed by default, and we utilized that to install Gear Lever for easier reinstallation of Panwriter.
Kernel 7.0 and Edition Choices
The updated MX Linux version 25.2 optionally includes the new kernel 7.0 from the Liquorix project that we explored in 2022. For the Xfce edition, you have the choice of the standard edition with a Debian kernel or the AHS edition featuring the newer kernel. The KDE edition is only available in AHS form, while the lightweight Fluxbox edition for lower-end hardware solely offers the Debian kernel.
User-Friendly Distributions
There is a wide variety of Debian and Ubuntu-based remixes and meta-distributions available, but MX Linux stands out as perhaps the most user-friendly distro we’ve encountered that isn’t built on systemd. It’s swift, lightweight, and far simpler to configure and install than Devuan, or even Debian itself. It also offers superior tools for adjustment and customization compared to any distribution in the Ubuntu or Debian families, rivaling the best Arch Linux-based distros like Garuda Linux.
Ubuntu’s AI Aspirations
As we reported from the Ubuntu Summit, Canonical is launching an initiative into AI. Since then, the roadmap for Ubuntu 26.10 “Stonking Stingray” has been released, featuring what it terms a Context-aware desktop – powered by LLMs. Similar modifications have already been implemented in Linux Lite 8.0, which is based on Ubuntu 26.04. This version also incorporates a local LLM for all your error-prone artificial-plagiarism requirements. We speculate that such advancements may prompt a minor exodus of Ubuntu users – and if you also wish to steer clear of systemd simultaneously, MX Linux is an exceptional starting point.
Bootnote: MX Linux on the Raspberry Pi
Lastly, version 25.2 sees the Raspberry Pi respin upgraded to the new base OS. Before 25.2, the Pi version was still operating on MX version 22. As this somewhat outdated description indicates, this is a distinct edition of MX Linux featuring Xfce but constructed partially from packages in the Raspberry Pi OS instead of directly from Debian – thus it resembles and operates like MX, while being compatible with most Pis and apps for PiOS. For example, the Pi configuration commands and EEPROM updater function properly on MX on the Pi, but they don’t on (for example) Alpine Linux. We tested MX Linux 24.2 for the Raspberry Pi on both 4 GB and 8 GB Pi 5 devices and on a Pi 4, but it wouldn’t progress beyond the splash screen for us – however, the previous version performed excellently, so once it receives a bit more care, it could prove to be a solid option for Pi users seeking a more customizable desktop OS.
Summary: A Geordie’s Guide to Linux Treasures
So there you have it, everyone. MX Linux 25.2 is an excellent option if you’re looking to dodge both systemd and AI frenzy. Whether you’re new to the Linux scene or a seasoned pro, MX provides the tools and polish to keep you satisfied. Just bear in mind, not all Raspberry Pis are made equal in the MX universe.
