Mageia vs PCLinuxOS
Mageia: A community fork of Mandriva with its own control center. PCLinuxOS: A long-running independent rolling desktop. Here is how they differ, and which one suits you.
Quick verdict
- BeginnersTieBoth are a similar fit here.
- GamingPCLinuxOSPCLinuxOS gets newer drivers and kernels faster.
- Older hardwareTieBoth are a similar fit here.
- Latest softwarePCLinuxOSPCLinuxOS uses a rolling model; Mageia is stable.
- Long-term stabilityMageiaMageia changes less between upgrades.
Specs compared
| Feature | Mageia | PCLinuxOS |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (30d) | #46 | #44 |
| Latest version | — | — |
| Based on | Independent (Mandriva fork) | Independent (Mandriva heritage) |
| Release model | Stable | Rolling |
| Desktop | KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce | KDE Plasma, MATE, Xfce |
| Package management | urpmi · DNF | APT-RPM · Synaptic |
| Init system | systemd | sysVinit |
| Experience level | Beginner | Beginner |
| Suggested RAM | 4 GB+ | 4 GB+ |
| Architectures | x86_64 | x86_64 |
| First released | 2011 | 2003 |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Good for | Everyday use | Everyday use |
Key differences
- Mageia is based on Independent (Mandriva fork), while PCLinuxOS is based on Independent (Mandriva heritage).
- Mageia follows a stable release model; PCLinuxOS is rolling.
- Mageia ships KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce; PCLinuxOS ships KDE Plasma, MATE, Xfce.
- Software comes from urpmi · DNF on Mageia and APT-RPM · Synaptic on PCLinuxOS.
- Mageia uses systemd as its init system; PCLinuxOS uses sysVinit.
Choose Mageia if…
- central graphical control center
- community governance
- fixed, predictable releases
Release gaps can be long
Full Mageia profileChoose PCLinuxOS if…
- rolling without reinstalling
- graphical package management
- systemd-free
64-bit only; small package team
Full PCLinuxOS profileMageia vs PCLinuxOS: FAQ
Is Mageia better than PCLinuxOS?
Neither is better for everyone. Mageia is the stronger pick for long-term stability; PCLinuxOS for gaming, latest software.
Which uses less RAM, Mageia or PCLinuxOS?
Both need about 4 GB of RAM for a comfortable desktop. The desktop environment affects memory use more than the distribution.
Is Mageia based on PCLinuxOS?
No. Mageia is based on Independent (Mandriva fork); PCLinuxOS is based on Independent (Mandriva heritage).
Can I switch from Mageia to PCLinuxOS without losing files?
Back up your home folder first. If /home is on a separate partition you can reinstall without formatting it, but a clean install with restored backups is safest.