No, the Debian 11 download does not include the desktop GUI.
No, the Debian 11 download does not include the desktop GUI.
The file size is just 380MB. I haven’t discovered any other download choices yet—I’ve been using Ubuntu so far, which lets you pick between a server or a desktop.
Debian could be less ideal for your specific needs. It tends to have the longest development timeline I know, often lagging months behind other major updates—both for the kernel and applications. While it’s a dependable system in certain scenarios, running a home setup might require patience if you’re expecting frequent patches. Recently, there’s been buzz about LMDE, which is essentially Linux Mint; it promises quicker updates and access to its own repositories while still being built on Debian rather than Ubuntu. I haven’t used it myself, but it was widely discussed in the Linux YouTube community a short time ago with mostly positive feedback.
LMDE follows Debian closely and keeps up quickly. Debian updates every two years once Slackware catches up, which took about six years (14 to 15 years). Older software isn't a reason to miss out—your security and stability are worth it.