MX Linux Infinity: New Release Separates Systemd and Sysvinit Builds Permanently
The latest release of MX Linux has received a significant update that reshapes the familiar process of component selection and introduces new features. The developers have revised their installation approach and now separate builds even before the system loads—an architectural change that directly affects which capabilities become available after installation.
The new version, titled Infinity, is based on Debian 13 and is distributed exclusively for x86-64. Support for 32-bit systems has disappeared alongside the upstream platform. The most consequential choice must now be made in advance: the systemd edition and the variant based on the traditional sysvinit are offered as entirely separate images, with no possibility of switching between them post-installation. Previously, this flexibility existed at boot, but the kernel’s transition to cgroups v2 rendered the old mechanism unworkable.
There are now seven available builds, differing by desktop environment, kernel type, and initialization system. Xfce comes in standard and Advanced Hardware Support editions, the latter using the alternative Liquorix kernel; KDE Plasma is available only with systemd; and Fluxbox operates with either initialization framework. While this broad array offers freedom of choice, it also makes navigation between options more complex.
The installer has received improvements as well. It can now enable ZRAM for in-memory compression and is capable of replacing an existing Linux installation while preserving the contents of /home—though user accounts must be recreated. This is especially useful because MX Linux does not support in-place upgrades between major releases.
The MX Tools suite has migrated to Qt6, and a new function for generating a list of installed packages helps users restore their environment after an upgrade, though complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed due to underlying changes in Debian. Advanced users are provided with detailed documentation for performing a manual migration.
MX Linux 25 adds support for the deb822 repository configuration format, and all three desktop environments receive minor refinements. Xfce introduces an updated Whisker menu, Plasma brings improvements to the Dolphin file manager, and Fluxbox updates its panel and menu.
The default Xfce interface deserves particular attention: its vertical panel, clear indicators of running applications, and thoughtfully arranged elements create a familiar working rhythm while conserving space on widescreen displays.
Testing both Xfce variants in virtual machines shows that they are identical in appearance and performance, though the sysvinit edition consumes slightly less memory. On an older ThinkPad W520 laptop, the non-systemd build ran reliably, though the NVIDIA Quadro card controlling the second display could not be activated—the proprietary driver is incompatible with modern kernels, a limitation seen across many contemporary Linux distributions.
In all other respects, the system delivers consistent performance, a carefully tuned configuration, and a convenient set of built-in utilities, including the Nala package manager and monitoring tools like htop. MX Linux remains an accessible Debian-based alternative, offering flexible customization and the option to operate without systemd—without forcing the user into more radical solutions.
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