Basic traits

Kernels (secured against known vulnerabilities)

32bit: Linux kernel 4.15.0-1 PAE (non-PAE kernel: antiX). Very stable kernel for many machines.
64bit: linux-image-4.15.0-1-amd64. Recent stable kernel for newer machines.
Easy kernel upgrade or downgrade with MX Package Installer

Foundation

Debian Stable 9.4 (Stretch), augmented by ongoing backports and additions
Xfce 4.12.3
core antiX systems

Automatic enabling of most Broadcom drivers
UEFI installer (64bit)

Key default applications

The versions listed refer to the date of release; they will be continually upgraded as time goes on.

Browser: Firefox 58.0.2 (59.0.2 cued up for upgrade)
Video Player: VLC 2.2.8-2
Music Manager/Player: Clementine 1.3.1
Email client: Thunderbird 52.6
Office suite: LibreOffice 6.0.1-1 (x64)
Backup: LuckyBackup 0.4.9-1
Security: Passwords and Keys 3.20.0-3.1
Terminal: Xfce4 Terminal 0.8.3-1

User Experience

Stable
Easy and flexible installation
Excellent hardware recognition
Automatic configuration for most users
One-click change of panel orientation and default theme
One-click enabling of Event sounds
Hibernation now enabled by default
Important applications updated regularly by Community
Significant upgrades to MX Tools
Localization for MX apps in many languages
Great help through video set
Full Users Manual onboard and online
Excellent support on a friendly forum

Tools to make common tasks easier

Many of these Tools were developed specifically for MX, while some were forked from existing antiX apps or are existing antiX apps; a couple were imported with permission from outside sources.

Live

Create Live USB
Live USB maker
Live-usb kernel updater
Remaster tool
Snapshot

Maintenance

Boot repair
Menu editor
User manager

Setup

Nvidia driver installer
Codecs installer
Conky
Network Assistant
Select sound
System sounds
Tweak
Welcome

Software

Apt notifier
Fix GPG keys
Package installer: now includes Debian Backports, MX Test, and Debian Stable repos
Repo manager

Utilities

Quick System Info
Switch user
iDevice Mounter

One-click Extras with Package Installer

The MX Package Installer has undergone a major rewrite for MX-17.1. It is much faster and has a built-in console. It includes 1) popular applications from the Debian Stable repos; 2) packages brought in from Debian Testing/Sid and properly configured; 3) packages not found in Debian repos at all but pulled from developers' websites or other distro-specific repos and also properly configured.

Audio: Audacity, DeaDBeeF, Pithos, Spotify, etc.
Browser: Palemoon, Qupzilla, etc.
Children: Preschool, Primary, etc.
Graphics: ImageMagik, Inkscape, etc.
Docks: Docky, Plank, etc.
Icons: Faba, Moka, etc.
Kernels: various patched options
Language: language packs for Firefox, Thunderbird, etc.
Media Center: Kodi, Plex, etc.
Messaging: Pidgin, Skype, etc.
Misc: Google Earth, VirtualBox, etc.
Network: Dropbox, Tor and Privoxy, etc.
Office: GnuCash, Adobe Reader, Calibre, etc.
Themes: Adapta, Obsidian1, etc.
Video: DVDStyler, MPlayer, OpenShot, etc
Window managers: Budgie Desktop, Compiz, MATE, etc.

Advanced LiveUSB (antiX)

Many new Live boot options inherited from antiX Linux
Run in Live mode in 10 languages
Live kernel upgrader
Easy Live-remaster to make a custom LiveUSB or your own version to distribute as an ISO
Three forms of Live persistence (i.e., what files are kept on the LiveUSB): details (video)
Easy "frugal" installation option
Simple creation of custom snapshots (as easy as: add/remove packages, change settings, take a snapshot)
Automatic check of LiveUSB file systems for integrity