Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

inxi VS Dmidecode

Compare inxi VS Dmidecode and see what are their differences

inxi logo inxi

Inxi is a system information script that can display various things about your hardware and...

Dmidecode logo Dmidecode

Dmidecode reports information about your system's hardware as described in your system BIOS...
  • inxi Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-30
  • Dmidecode Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-23

inxi features and specs

  • Comprehensive System Information
    Inxi provides detailed information about the hardware and software components of a system, covering everything from CPU and GPU to network interfaces and battery status. This makes it a valuable tool for troubleshooting and system analysis.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Inxi is designed to work on multiple Linux distributions, and is available in the repositories of many popular distros. It can also run on other Unix-like operating systems, increasing its versatility.
  • Human-Readable Output
    The information provided by inxi is organized in a clear, human-readable format, which makes it easier to understand and use compared to other tools that might output in a more technical or convoluted manner.
  • Active Development and Support
    Inxi is actively maintained, with regular updates and improvements, ensuring compatibility with new hardware and software updates. This active support helps keep it reliable and relevant.

Possible disadvantages of inxi

  • Dependency Management
    Inxi relies on several external tools, and if any of these dependencies are missing or outdated, it can limit its functionality or result in incomplete information.
  • Limited to Terminal Usage
    As a command-line tool, inxi requires familiarity with the terminal. Users who prefer graphical interfaces may find it less accessible or user-friendly compared to GUI-based alternatives.
  • Variable Detail Levels
    While inxi offers a range of detail levels (controlled by command arguments), users who are unfamiliar with these options might not extract as much information as possible without consulting the documentation.
  • Linux/Unix-Centric
    Though it has broad Unix-like OS support, its usefulness is limited to these systems. This excludes Windows users, reducing its applicability in mixed-OS environments.

Dmidecode features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Dmidecode provides straightforward command-line access to DMI table data, making it easy for users to retrieve hardware information without complex setup.
  • Comprehensive Information
    It offers detailed system hardware information such as BIOS version, manufacturer details, serial numbers, and asset tags, which can be crucial for inventory management and troubleshooting.
  • Lightweight
    Dmidecode is a lightweight tool with minimal resource requirements, allowing it to be used efficiently on systems with limited resources.
  • Compatibility
    Supports a wide range of operating systems, making it versatile for different environments, including various Linux distributions and Unix-like systems.

Possible disadvantages of Dmidecode

  • Limited to Supported Systems
    Only works on systems with SMBIOS/DMI support, which means it's not useful for all types of hardware, particularly older or non-standard systems.
  • Read-Only Information
    Dmidecode can only retrieve and display information but does not allow for modification or writing of data to the DMI tables.
  • Requires Administrative Privileges
    Needs root or administrative privileges to access hardware information, which may pose security risks if improperly managed.
  • Static Data
    The information accessed by Dmidecode is static and typically doesn't include dynamic updates or status information, which can limit its utility for real-time diagnostics.

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Dmidecode videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to inxi and Dmidecode)
Monitoring Tools
41 41%
59% 59
Device Management
42 42%
58% 58
System Information
43 43%
57% 57
Cloud Storage
43 43%
57% 57

User comments

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