Linux Mint XFCE

[blizzardfromoz]

I don't hear much about this version of Mint. Does any one here use Mint XFCE and how does it compare to the cinnamon version? Specifically what features are missing or have been taken out?

If there are any XFCE users here how does Mint's version of XFCE compare to XFCE in other distros?

 

[kc1di]

I've used it in the past and XFCE is a good solid DE. I'm using cinnamon at the moment. But XFCE is very stable. It gets upgraded very slowly. It's very customizable but you'll have to work at it.

 

[Brickwizard]

To me, they both work equally well, Cinnamon is prettier, XFCE is more win 97/XP ish in looks, XFCE being a tad faster, but most would not notice.

 

[blizzardfromoz]

I really liked the notification system in Cinnamon and there was a keyboard shortcut/feature where you could see all the windows open and either use your mouse or the arrow keys to quickly select which one you wanted to go to. I am hoping the notification system is still the same in the XFCE version although I don't expect that feature with the window selection to be there.

I won't be able to try a live version for at least a few days.

 

[blizzardfromoz]

I've used it in the past and XFCE is a good solid DE. I'm using cinnamon at the moment. But XFCE is very stable. It gets upgraded very slowly. It's very customizable but you'll have to work at it.

The slow upgrades are a plus in my opinion. I believe this is one of the reasons why its so stable.

 

[Trynna3]

I don't remember which Mint I installed on my oldie Asus, but it is called Wilma.

 

[blizzardfromoz]

I don't remember which Mint I installed on my oldie Asus, but it is called Wilma.

It was most likely the Ubuntu version with the Cinnamon desktop.

 

[The Duck]

I prefer Xfce desktop environment over most desktop environments simply because of its simple design.

I'm a user who's not into the eye candy scene so simple and functional is my preference.

 

[bob466]

Mint's XFCE and Mate are cut down versions of Cinnamon and don't have the features that Cinnamon has.

I installed Mint Mate in Virtualbox some time ago...the first thing I noticed was...no verify tool...something you'd expect in all versions but both might be good in old computers.

My old Laptop is running Cinnamon 21.1...it works but is slow...I can't make a 13 year old CPU with 2 cores run as fast as a two year old CPU with 6 cores.

 

[wizardfromoz]

I installed Mint Mate in Virtualbox some time ago...the first thing I noticed was...no verify tool...something you'd expect in all versions...

The Verify tool is available in all 3 DEs, Bob, it is just that Mint have not given MATE's Caja FM the right-click option that is available to Nemo in Cinnamon and Thunar in Xfce.

Verify relies on a command

mint-iso-verify

and that is in all three.

This from LM 22.1 'Xia' MATE

When you run the command in Terminal, the GUI window pops up and you have the the usual options there.

A note is that when the process is complete, the Terminal pane appears to be hanging at the point of deleting the signing key.

If you then close the GUI window Terminal resolves to returning you to the prompt.

So it is there, in MATE, but tricky to find and a little glitchy.

HTH

Wizard

 

[blizzardfromoz]

I prefer Xfce desktop environment over most desktop environments simply because of its simple design.

I'm a user who's not into the eye candy scene so simple and functional is my preference.

Same here. Although right now I'm using Fedora LXDE which is amazing but same principles as XFCE.

My old Laptop is running Cinnamon 21.1...it works but is slow...I can't make a 13 year old CPU with 2 cores run as fast as a two year old CPU with 6 cores.

Same here I have a dual core laptop but not as old as yours and Cinnamon was slowing it down alot. Once I switched to XFCE (another distro) it ran like a 6 core with no slow downs. Maybe you should try out XFCE.

 

[bob466]

I now use GtkHash...works for all ISOs.

 

[bob466]

Same here. Although right now I'm using Fedora LXDE which is amazing but same principles as XFCE.


Same here I have a dual core laptop but not as old as yours and Cinnamon was slowing it down alot. Once I switched to XFCE (another distro) it ran like a 6 core with no slow downs. Maybe you should try out XFCE.

Maybe I should try Mint XFCE...I've got nothing to lose.

I'm not a Laptop person and use it about twice a year and the only reason I have a Laptop is in case something happens to my Tower...which was the case about 2 years ago when the Motherboard failed.

 

[raidm]

I've been using it since 2016, switching from Ubuntu to Mint to avoid the snap. It is lightweight.

 

[yetAnotherUsername]

Happy with Linux Mint XFCE, no idea of what I'm missing from Cinnamon.

 

[bob466]

I've just finished installing Mint XFCE 22.1 on my 13 year old Laptop and am very surprised at the difference...it's like a new Laptop

Cinnamon 21.1 on my Laptop from the moment I typed in my password and hit Enter took 20 seconds to boot to the Desktop. Mint XFCE 22.1 takes 5 seconds...everything opens like it does on my Tower running Cinnamon 22.1.

I installed two Browsers...Brave and librewolf and a small amount of software which is fine for what I want it for.

Mint Cinnamon has much better sound settings...

You can change everything...but sadly this is not the case with XFCE.
In XFCE the sound works for videos...music and youtube but would be nice to have startup...logoff and Flash Drive removal sound.

In Cinnamon you can right click the downloaded ISO and select Verify...you can't in XFCE as it's not there..but you can use GtkHash which is a better choice.

This version of Mint certainly brings old computers back to life and it well worth a try.

 

[blizzardfromoz]

I downloaded Mint XFCE iso yesterday evening and tried it out in live mode.

Pros:
1. The start menu is fantastic. I can quickly access every program by pressing the windows button. With vanilla XFCE you can press alt + F3 to bring up the application finder but the Mint version is much quicker as you only have to press one button.
2. Five year support which is insane. You can probably have one of the most stable systems by lagging behind a few releases and using XFCE which is super stable.

Cons:
Its basically XFCE (with the exception of the start menu) with a Mint theme. The notification system and the power manager are all the XFCE version and not the one you get in the Cinnamon desktop. They aren't bad but not as good as Cinnamon.

One other thing to mention is my battery life was at 82% and it was showing around 6-7.5 hours of time left on the battery. I compared it Fedora LXDE at 82% and the time remaining on the battery was showing at 10-13 hours! At full charge I've seen it go up to 19 hours with LXDE! I'm not sure how accurate the battery apps are but I have LXDE installed on another laptop with 8 GB RAM and it hasn't crashed once yet due to going over the RAM and the battery life is noticeably better with real world use (even better I think than Windows which was originally installed on the machine).

I'm going to use Timeshift and make a snapshot of my Fedora LXDE setup and then do a full install of Mint XFCE test it out some more and then install LXDE and see if the battery life improves in the Mint version.

Bob if you want to improve speed and battery life even further try this out:

https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=371462

I'm hoping the start menu remains intact at least.

 

[blizzardfromoz]

Installed Mint XFCE. I hit over 20 hours with machine idle! Never went this high before. I forgot to mention I have tlp installed on both XFCE and LXDE so the battery times stated in my posts is with tlp turned on with default settings. Mint XFCE is a keeper and my favorite version of XFCE so far.

 

[The Duck]

I recommend taking a look at these tweaks.

10 Things to Do First in Linux Mint 22.3 Xfce

Easy tips, tweaks and tricks for Linux Mint and Ubuntu, both for beginners and for advanced users. Complete starter's guide with simple how-to's.

easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com

Home Page

Easy tips, tweaks and tricks for Linux Mint and Ubuntu, both for beginners and for advanced users. Complete starter's guide with simple how-to's.

easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com

 

[blizzardfromoz]

I recommend taking a look at these tweaks.

10 Things to Do First in Linux Mint 22.3 Xfce

Easy tips, tweaks and tricks for Linux Mint and Ubuntu, both for beginners and for advanced users. Complete starter's guide with simple how-to's.

easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com

Home Page

Easy tips, tweaks and tricks for Linux Mint and Ubuntu, both for beginners and for advanced users. Complete starter's guide with simple how-to's.

easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com

Thanks. I forgot to turn on the firewall and check the save sessions button in the log out menu. I like to save my sessions.