Linux Mint 7 (XFCE)
What I Liked Most
The best thing about this version of Linux Mint 7 is the simple beauty of XFCE. It’s quite refreshing after using the Gnome or KDE versions. After using XFCE for a while you start to realize just how unnecessary the bells and whistles of Gnome and KDE really are.
Now I’m not knocking either of those desktop environments. I have always been a fan of Gnome and I’m warming up to KDE more as time goes by. But I suspect I’m a minimalist at heart and XFCE really gives me what I need to use my computer rather than a bunch of bloat that doesn’t help me get anything done.
Your mileage may vary, of course. And, if that’s the case, then I highly recommend the KDE or Gnome versions of Linux Mint 7. You really can’t go wrong with either one if this XFCE version isn’t your cup of tea. But, before you write it off, I suggest trying this version along with the other two and see which one works best for you.
Problems & Headaches
One thing to take note of is that Linux Mint 7 (XFCE) doesn’t come with any games. That’s not a problem for me as World of Warcraft is about the only game I play these days. But some people might find that lack of desktop games a bit annoying. I recommend trying some online alternatives if you want to play cards, chess or whatever.
Another problem I had was that sound didn’t work. Note that I was running this release via VMWare so it could have been a VMWare problem. Given that this was RC1 of Linux Mint 7 (XFCE) I figured I’d run into a problem or two and so I did. I’ll reserve judgement on this until the final release as bugs should be expected when using a release candidate.
Beyond that I didn’t run into any noticeable problems.
(17 votes, average: 3.65 out of 5)
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Jim, of all of the Mint releases, this is the one I would be most likely to test next (until Mint gets KDE 4.3 or 4.4, then I may check that out too). Concerning memory requirements, KDE 4.3 on sidux actually works with 256 MB memory, but it is not very responsive with that amount. 512 MB of memory, or perhaps 384 MB, would be more realistic values. Based on that, I would suggest that 256 MB on an XFCE based system would be quite adequate, given that I am running sidux XFCE right now, and htop reveals ONLY 211 MB of memory in use, in spite of Seamonkey browser and Email, plus Google Chrome (being used now) are actively in use.
Sounds like this release may not be quite ready, but it does seem to be promising, and it may be worth a look some time soon.
I am looking forward to Linux Mint 7 XFCE. I am currently using Linux Mint 7 (Gnome) and it very good experience.
I believe my laptop and my friends computer which has only 256 MB of RAM will be able to run Linux Mint 7 XFCE.
No XFCE has hard disk mounting facility, you review show some solution about the same.
Thanks for the good insight.
This is something I might think of trying. I already run Ubuntu on the desktop and also have another decommissioned computer with less memory which I intend trying it on. If it works on that, then I will have to wait till the final version is out before rolling it on the much faster computer.
Will leave a comment here later to let you know how it goes.
Nice review BTW :)
@ Brian Masinick:
Brian, you like KDE over Gnome? I like Gnome better. KDE is too windows-ish.
KDE is too windows-ish? Gnome is the DE that uses a registry.
I can’t believe the reviewer, Jim Lynch, complains about there being no games in the distribution. What a stupid thing to say. Download the games you want. They are all available for every single linux distrubutions. Just click on the button in Synaptic (or the equivalent)! All the games, all the programmes are available for every single Linux distribution, so what the hell is the point of commenting on the presence or absence of any programme in particular?! A review should be focussed on the actual stability and overall functionality of the distrubution.