Bohodev.com – The Linux Mint project, riding a wave of sustained popularity, has strategically broadened its hardware compatibility with the official release of Linux Mint 17.1 ‘Rebecca’ Xfce Edition. This move directly addresses a critical segment of the user base: owners of older or less powerful computers. While the flagship Cinnamon and MATE editions have garnered widespread acclaim, their resource profiles can be demanding on legacy systems. The new Xfce variant, built on the same robust foundation of Xubuntu 14.04 and Linux kernel 3.13, provides a meticulously optimized pathway for users seeking to revitalize aging hardware with a stable, long-term support release.
According to project lead Clement Lefebvre, the Xfce edition is engineered for flexibility right out of the box. It comes pre-configured with two distinct window managers: the lightweight and stable Xfwm, ideal for conserving system resources, and the advanced compositing manager Compiz. This dual approach is a masterstroke in inclusivity. For users on older machines, Xfwm ensures a snappy, responsive experience. Conversely, on modern hardware with capable graphics, Compiz unlocks a suite of visually impressive effects, such as wobbly windows and the iconic rotating desktop cube, demonstrating that Xfce can be both frugal and flashy.
The release is not merely a repackaging but includes targeted enhancements to the Xfce desktop environment. Notable improvements include the addition of Blu-Ray support in the Xfburn disc utility and a redesigned application menu with categories on the left that react to mouse hover. The window management behavior has been refined for productivity, with edge-tiling activated by default instead of workspace switching. Default panel configurations now feature quick launchers for Firefox and the terminal, and the clock applet provides instant date visibility on mouse-over, streamlining the user experience.
This strategic expansion underscores a core philosophy of the Linux ecosystem: choice and accessibility. By offering a dedicated Xfce edition, the Mint Team acknowledges the diverse realities of its global user base, where access to cutting-edge hardware is not universal. It provides a legitimate, first-party option for educational institutions, non-profits, and individuals looking to extend the functional lifespan of their existing technology. The move also positions Mint more competitively against other lightweight distributions, offering its renowned user-friendliness and stability on a wider array of machines.
Ultimately, the launch of Linux Mint 17.1 Xfce is a significant step in democratizing access to a premium desktop Linux experience. It effectively decouples software modernity from hardware newness, allowing users on virtually any system from the past decade to benefit from a supported, secure, and polished operating system. While KDE and Cinnamon remain the recommended choices for high-end systems, the Xfce edition stands as a testament to the project’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that Linux Mint truly is an operating system ‘for everyone’. The ISO is available for download directly from the official Linux Mint repositories.
