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The distro is MX Linux. It ranked ahead of Ubuntu and Fedora in DistroWatch’s Page Hit Ranking when How-To Geek published its article on August 28, 2026—but that ranking measures visits to DistroWatch distribution pages, not how many people install or use each operating system. MX Linux’s appeal comes down to three practical features: desktop editions for different hardware profiles, bundled graphical system tools, and portable Live USB use.
What “more popular” means in this claim
The comparison refers to DistroWatch’s Page Hit Ranking. How-To Geek reported MX Linux at number three when its article was published on August 28, 2026. That is a time-specific position based on visits to distribution pages, not a count of active installations, downloads, or market share. It does not establish that more people use MX Linux than Ubuntu or Fedora. How-To Geek’s article explains the ranking’s scope.
So the useful question is not whether MX Linux has definitively overtaken those distributions in users, but what might make someone interested enough to look it up.
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Three reasons MX Linux gets attention
1. Desktop editions for different hardware profiles
MX Linux lists Xfce, KDE and Fluxbox editions. The project describes Xfce as a midweight desktop with broad hardware support, KDE Plasma as an option for a wide range of 64-bit machines, and Fluxbox as a lightweight choice for older or lower-capacity hardware. It also offers an Xfce Advanced Hardware Support edition. These are project descriptions, not guarantees that a particular computer will work well with a given edition. MX Linux’s download page lists the available editions and their profiles.
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This range lets a prospective user choose a desktop environment with their computer’s capabilities and preferences in mind. It does not show that MX Linux is categorically more compatible than Ubuntu or Fedora; the available evidence does not establish a matched comparison across all three.
2. Graphical tools for common system tasks
MX Linux includes graphical utilities for tasks such as managing boot options and repositories. The project also documents the MX Package Installer, providing a graphical way to browse and install software. The MX Linux documentation and FAQ describe these tools.
Rank #2
That can make some routine administration more approachable for people who prefer menus to commands. It is not a promise that every task can be handled without a terminal.
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MX Linux describes Live USB portability and remastering as project capabilities. A Live USB can let someone boot MX from removable storage to try it or use it without treating it as a conventional installed system. The MX Linux site describes the project’s Live USB features.
The project’s cited information does not establish a required USB capacity, speed, or model, so those specifications should not be inferred from the portability claim.
How MX Linux’s release approach affects the choice
MX Linux is built from Debian Stable repositories and is not a rolling-release distribution. According to its FAQ, major versions follow Debian Stable releases, with point releases between major versions. That is a stable-release approach, not a promise that every package is the newest available. The project FAQ explains the release model.
MX Linux’s news page announced version 25.3, “Infinity,” on September 20, 2026. It lists updated Debian kernels for releases and a newer Liquorix kernel for Xfce AHS. Release and kernel details can change; consult the project’s news page for current information before choosing an edition.
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The ranking alone cannot answer that. MX Linux may be worth exploring if its desktop choices, bundled graphical utilities, Live USB workflow, and Debian Stable-based release model suit your needs. Those features do not establish that it is better for every user—or that Ubuntu or Fedora have fewer users. Choose based on the software and release cadence you want, the desktop you prefer, and how the distribution works on your hardware.
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