Here’s the Deal

PCLinuxOS vs Devuan GNU+Linux

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When comparing PCLinuxOS vs Devuan GNU+Linux, the Slant community recommends Devuan GNU+Linux for most people. In the question“What are the best Linux distros that don't use systemd?” Devuan GNU+Linux is ranked 1st while PCLinuxOS is ranked 24th. The most important reason people chose Devuan GNU+Linux is:

It is stable like Debian.

Specs

Based OnMandrake Linux

Default Desktop EnvironmentKDE

Init-SystemSysV.init

OS FamilyGNU/Linux

OriginUSA

Release ScheduleRolling

Release TypeBinary

Package MangerRPM Package Manager

Based OnDebian

Default Desktop EnvironmentXFCE

Init-SystemSysVinit, runit or OpenRC

OS FamilyGNU/Linux

OriginWorldwide

Release ScheduleLong-term support (stable edition) and rolling release (testing and unstable editions)

Release TypeBinary

Initial Release2016

Main UsageServers, Industry(Stable/Oldstable) | Desktop, Multimedia(Testing/Unstable)

Official Supported Architecturesaarch64, armel, armhf, i386, ppc64le, amd64

Package Managerdpkg with apt, aptitude or apt-build

Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking

Common Questions

What are the best Linux distros that don't use systemd?

What are the best Linux distributions for the latest Mate version?

What are the best Linux distributions for KDE without systemd?

Pros

Pro
Software management and updating made simple through Synaptic

Pro
The team is headed by Texstar

One of the best in the business.

Pro
Rolling release model

No reinstalling the OS after every major upgrade. Keep your OS updated, and you have the latest version.

Pro
Helpful and knowledgeable forums

Many issues can be resolved by just searching the forums. They are really a storehouse of knowledge. If not, expert help is still available.

Pro
"Batteries included" philosophy

Main release includes most apps needed by users everyday. Windows users will see a familiar look and feel to the UI. H/W issues practically nonexistent, as most drivers come with the ISO.

Pro
Stability

It is stable like Debian.

Pro
It's Debian

Devuan is Debian just without systemd, it just mirrors the the Debian archive and repacks packages that have hard dependencies on systemd.

Pro
Excellent for normal people

It is easy to use and is a good choice for beginners.

Pro
No Systemd

Pro
Most decent look amongst other XFCE distros

Default XFCE theme is unique of all the XFCE distos including MXLinux, Xubuntu etc.

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Cons

Con
No 32-bit version

Con
Gaming can be hit or miss

To run some titles, particularly from Steam, some "massaging" is necessary.

Con
Difficult to install on non-free hardware

Unlike Debian, Devuan offers no unfree netinstall media, so if your system needs unfree drivers (e.g a laptop or a tablet), you'll have to download the Debian firmware on a separate USB.

Con
No systemd

Con
Fragmentation

Forked distributions like Devuan and Artix fragment the Linux community and hurt the original project. Debian users who do not want systemd should use Slackware or BSD instead.