Debian GNU/Linux
OS Type: Linux
На основе: Independent
Происхождение: Global
Архитектура: arm64, armel, armhf, i386, mips, mipsel, powerpc, ppc64el, s390x, x86_64
Рабочий стол: AfterStep, Awesome, Blackbox, Cinnamon, Fluxbox, flwm, FVWM, GNOME, i3, IceWM, ion, JWM, KDE, LXDE, MATE, Openbox, pekwm, Ratpoison, Razor-qt, WMaker, XBMC, Xfce
Категория: Desktop, Live Medium, Server
Статус: Активная
Популярность: 2 (1,681 хитов в день)
The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system is called Debian GNU/Linux, or simply Debian for short. Debian systems currently use the Linux kernel. Linux is a completely free piece of software started by Linus Torvalds and supported by thousands of programmers worldwide. Of course, the thing that people want is application software: programs to help them get what they want to do done, from editing documents to running a business to playing games to writing more software. Debian comes with over 50,000 packages (precompiled software that is bundled up in a nice format for easy installation on your machine) - all of it free. It's a bit like a tower. At the base is the kernel. On top of that are all the basic tools. Next is all the software that you run on the computer. At the top of the tower is Debian -- carefully organizing and fitting everything so it all works together.
CentOS
OS Type: Linux
На основе: Fedora, Red Hat
Происхождение: USA
Архитектура: i386, x86_64
Рабочий стол: GNOME, KDE
Категория: Desktop, Live Medium, Server
Статус: Активная
Популярность: 7 (984 хитов в день)
CentOS как группа - это сообщество контрибьюторов и пользователей из мира опенсорс. Типичными пользователями CentOS являются организации и отдельные люди, которым не нужна серьёзная коммерческая поддержка для успешной работы. CentOS - это 100%-совместимый пересобранный Red Hat Enterprise Linux, полностью удовлетворяющий требованиям Red Hat по дальнейшему распространению. CentOS предназначена для людей, которым нужна стабильность операционной системы промышленного класса без дорогостоящей сертификации и технической поддержки.
Ubuntu
OS Type: Linux
На основе: Debian, Ubuntu
Происхождение: Isle of Man
Архитектура: armhf, i686, powerpc, ppc64el, x86_64
Рабочий стол: Unity
Категория: Beginners, Desktop, Server, Live Medium
Статус: Активная
Популярность: 3 (1,651 хитов в день)
Ubuntu Linux - это полноценная настольная операционная система Linux, свободно распространяемая и с наличием поддержки как со стороны сообщества, так и профессионалов. Сообщество Ubuntu построено на идеях, изложенных в Ubuntu Manifesto: программное обеспечение должно быть бесплатным, программные средства должны быть пригодными для использования людьми на их родном языке и должны пренебрегать любыми их физическими недостатками, люди должны быть свободны в настройке и изменении своего программного обеспечения любым удобным для них способом. "Ubuntu" - это древнее африканское слово, означающее "гуманность к остальным". Дистрибутив Linux Ubuntu приносит дух Ubuntu в мир программного обеспечения.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Linux_distributions
1. Lightweight construction
Xfce has a very small memory footprint and CPU usage compared to some other desktops, such as KDE and GNOME. On my system, the programs that make up the Xfce desktop take a tiny amount of memory for such a powerful desktop. Very low CPU usage is also a hallmark of the Xfce desktop. With such a small memory footprint, I am not especially surprised that Xfce is also very sparing of CPU cycles.
2. Simplicity
The Xfce desktop is simple and uncluttered with fluff. The basic desktop has two panels and a vertical line of icons on the left side. Panel 0 is at the bottom and consists of some basic application launchers, as well as the Applications icon, which provides access to all the applications on the system. Panel 1 is at the top and has an Applications launcher as well as a Workspace Switcher that allows the user to switch between multiple workspaces. The panels can be modified with additional items, such as new launchers, or by altering their height and width.
The icons down the left side of the desktop consist of the Home directory and Trash icons. It can also display icons for the complete filesystem directory tree and any connected pluggable USB storage devices. These icons can be used to mount and unmount the device, as well as to open the default file manager. They can also be hidden if you prefer, and the Filesystem, Trash, and Home directory icons are separately controllable. The removable drives can be hidden or displayed as a group.
3. File management
Thunar, Xfce's default file manager, is simple, easy to use and configure, and very easy to learn. While not as fancy as file managers like Konqueror or Dolphin, it is quite capable and very fast. Thunar can't create multiple panes in its window, but it does provide tabs so multiple directories can be open at the same time. Thunar also has a very nice sidebar that, like the desktop, shows the same icons for the complete filesystem directory tree and any connected USB storage devices. Devices can be mounted and unmounted, and removable media such as CDs can be ejected. Thunar can also use helper applications such as Ark to open archive files when they are clicked. Archives, such as ZIP, TAR, and RPM files, can be viewed, and individual files can be copied out of them.
xfce-desktop-01.png
The Xfce desktop with Thunar and the Xfce terminal emulator.
Having used many different applications for my series on file managers, I must say that I like Thunar for its simplicity and ease of use. It is easy to navigate the filesystem using the sidebar.
4. Stability
The Xfce desktop is very stable. New releases seem to be on a three-year cycle, although updates are provided as necessary. The current version is 4.12, which was released in February 2015. The rock-solid nature of the Xfce desktop is very reassuring after having issues with KDE. The Xfce desktop has never crashed for me, and it has never spawned daemons that gobbled up system resources. It just sits there and works—which is what I want.
5. Elegance
Xfce is simply elegant. In my new book, The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins, which will be available this fall, I talk about the many advantages of simplicity, including the fact that simplicity is one of the hallmarks of elegance. Clearly, the programmers who write and maintain Xfce and its component applications are great fans of simplicity. This simplicity is very likely the reason that Xfce is so stable, but it also results in a clean look, a responsive interface, an easily navigable structure that feels natural, and an overall elegance that makes it a pleasure to use.
6. Terminal emulation
The Xfce4 terminal emulator is a powerful emulator that uses tabs to allow multiple terminals in a single window, like many other terminal emulators. This terminal emulator is simple compared to emulators like Tilix, Terminator, and Konsole, but it gets the job done. The tab names can be changed, and the tabs can be rearranged by drag and drop, using the arrow icons on the toolbar, or selecting the options on the menu bar. One thing I especially like about the tabs on the Xfce terminal emulator is that they display the name of the host to which they are connected regardless of how many other hosts are connected through to make that connection, e.g., host1==>host2==>host3==>host4 properly shows host4 in the tab. Other emulators show host2 at best.
Other aspects of its function and appearance can be easily configured to suit your needs. Like other Xfce components, this terminal emulator uses very little in the way of system resources.
7. Configurability
Within its limits, Xfce is very configurable. While not offering as much configurability as a desktop like KDE, it is far more configurable (and more easily so) than GNOME, for example. I found that the Settings Manager is the doorway to everything needed to configure Xfce. The individual configuration apps are separately available, but the Settings Manager collects them all into one window for ease of access. All the important aspects of the desktop can be configured to meet my needs and preferences.
8. Modularity
Xfce has a number of individual projects that make up the whole, and not all parts of Xfce are necessarily installed by your distro. Xfce's projects page lists the main projects, so you can find additional parts you might want to install. The items that weren't installed on my Fedora 28 workstation when I installed the Xfce group were mostly the applications at the bottom of that page.
There is also a documentation page, and a wiki called Xfce Goodies Project lists other Xfce-related projects that provide applications, artwork, and plugins for Thunar and the Xfce panels.
Conclusions
The Xfce desktop is thin and fast with an overall elegance that makes it easy to figure out how to do things. Its lightweight construction conserves both memory and CPU cycles. This makes it ideal for older hosts with few resources to spare for a desktop. However, Xfce is flexible and powerful enough to satisfy my needs as a power user.
I've learned that changing to a new Linux desktop can take some work to configure it as I want—with all of my favorite application launchers on the panel, my preferred wallpaper, and much more. I have changed to new desktops or updates of old ones many times over the years. It takes some time and a bit of patience.
I think of it like when I've moved cubicles or offices at work. Someone carries my stuff from the old office to the new one, and I connect my computer, unpack the boxes, and place their contents in appropriate locations in my new office. Moving into the Xfce desktop was the easiest move I have ever made.
The Best Desktop Environments For Linux (We Tested Them So That You Don’t Have To)
Last updated October 23, 2020 By Ankush Das 278 Comments
The desktop environment is usually the core of your Linux desktop system for how it looks/feels. If you don’t get a good user experience, it will be difficult to use a Linux distro on your desktop, right?
So, which is the best desktop environment available?
Trying out each and every desktop environment is a very time-consuming and tiring task.
So, here, we’ve created a list of the best desktop environments available for Linux distros along with their pros and cons for you. We tried them so that you don’t have to.
Best desktop environments for Linux distributions
Just to mention, this list is in no particular order of ranking.
1. KDE
Kde Plasma Desktop
KDE is one of the most popular desktop environments out there. You may also refer it as the “Plasma” desktop. Even though it’s not my primary choice, it is highly customizable and extremely lightweight.
Yes, it looks like KDE has managed to beat XFCE as one of the lightest desktop environments. Not just limited to Jason’s test, you will find numerous benchmark comparisons and tests that point to the same result.
KDE also makes it easier to connect your phone with your Linux system using KDE Connect. You will also find Plasma’s browser integration that connects your phone directly to your browser for establishing quick communication.
Overall, it looks like KDE is an incredibly lightweight desktop environment while being one of the most flexible as well.
Some Linux distros using KDE as the default are openSUSE, Kubuntu and KDE Neon. You may also refer to one of our tutorials to install KDE on Ubuntu, if that’s what you want.
Pros
Modern and polished user interface
Highly customizable and flexible experience
Several useful tools built-in
Extremely lightweight
Cons
The customization options and tools might be a little too overwhelming for newbies, leading to potential confusion.
2. MATE
Ubuntu Mate 20 04
MATE Desktop Environment is based on GNOME 2. MATE was initially developed for the users who were disappointed with the latest iteration of GNOME shell — GNOME 3.
Even though it’s based on the good-old GNOME 2, the MATE team has improved the desktop environment on a lot of grounds. To get some idea, you might want to check out what Ubuntu MATE 20.04 has to offer.
If we take the example of Ubuntu MATE 20.04, MATE desktop is suitable for almost everyone. And, of course, especially for the ones who loved GNOME 2 but hate the new GNOME. In addition to the user experience, it is also worth noting that it is a lightweight desktop environment as well.
MATE comes with a collection of basic applications and includes a number of built-in useful tools.
Ubuntu MATE is one of the official flavors of Ubuntu that utilizes the MATE desktop. Some other popular Linux distributions like Linux Mint, Manjaro, etc, also offer MATE editions of their distributions.
Pros
Easy to use and robust experience
Lightweight
Simple yet Customizable
Cons
May not offer the most intuitive user experience
3. GNOME
Gnome 3 36 Screenshot
GNOME is arguably the most popular desktop environment out there. Many of the popular Linux distros use GNOME as their default desktop environment and it has some popular forks, such as Cinnamon.
GNOME is designed to be easy to use and customizable. The user interface aims to provide a unique experience (kind of tailored for both mobile and desktops).
Unfortunately, GNOME isn’t a lightweight desktop environment. So, it’s not a great choice to go with if you are looking to install a Linux distribution on older computers or systems with less than 4 Gigs of RAM.
It’s good to see that GNOME is also focusing on the performance side of things with their recent GNOME 3.36 release.
So, if you want a good user experience with something that looks different from the likes of a traditional Windows layout, GNOME should be the perfect pick.
Some major distros using GNOME are Debian, Fedora, openSUSE and Ubuntu. Not to forget Pop OS 20.04 also features many good things along with GNOME desktop environment.
Pros
Modern and touch-friendly UI
Can extend functionalities through GNOME Shell Extensions
Customizable
Cons
Not suitable for older computers
User Interface isn’t tailored for a Windows user
4. Cinnamon
Linux Mint Default Theme
Cinnamon, a fork of GNOME 3, was initially developed to be and is the default desktop environment for Linux Mint. It is known for its similarities with the Windows user interface which helps new Linux users get comfortable using easily.
Cinnamon tries to present itself as a modern desktop environment while offering a traditional user interface. And, being somewhat light on resources makes Cinnamon a balanced choice for many Linux users.
Pros
Sleek and polished look
Familiar interface
Pretty customizable
Cons
May not offer the most intuitive user experience
5. Budgie
Budgie Desktop Environment
Budgie desktop has been developed by the Solus project. In case you didn’t know, Solus is an independently developed Linux distro where they utilize GNOME technologies such as GTK to develop the Budgie desktop environment.
It’s a mixed bag of modern UI and a traditional user interface. It’s not exactly resource heavy but not a complete lightweight desktop environment either.
Ubuntu Budgie — an official Ubuntu flavour features the Budgie desktop as the default. Not a lot of major distributions support Budgie desktop environment out of the box. So, you’d be better off using Solus or Ubuntu Budgie for the most part.
Pros
Solid and intuitive
Modern UI, elegant looks
Seamless desktop experience
Cons
Available only on few distributions (can be installed on your own manually)
6. LXQt
Lubuntu 20.04 Desktop
LXQt is a lightweight Qt desktop environment. When compared to LXDE, it’s safe to say that LXQt is indeed a lightweight desktop environment while providing a better user experience than LXDE (in terms of its look and feel).
Not just theoretically, but we also found it to be a great replacement to LXDE on Lubuntu 20.04.
Even though LXQt tries to present a modern look without comprising the performance, it is still not the most intuitive experience out there. Of course, if you need performance over the look and feel, LXQt is an impressive choice.
Pros
Extremely fast performing and lightweight
Decent UI for a lightweight desktop environment
Cons
User interface may seem unappealing
Not much customizable
Available only on few distributions (can be installed on your own manually)
7. Xfce
File Explorer Zorin Os 15 Lite
Xfce is one of the most lightweight desktop environments out there. Unlike LXQt, you will find a lot of major Linux distributions support XFCE editions.
Xfce is light on resources but proves to provide a feature-rich user experience. If you need a performance-centric desktop environment without needing advanced customizations, Xfce is a great choice to go with.
To give you an example, I’d recommend you check out our initial impressions on Zorin OS 15 Lite which includes Xfce desktop environment as the default.
Major Linux distributions like Manjaro Linux, Xubuntu, MX Linux, Zorin OS Lite, and several others feature Xfce as the default desktop environment.
Pros
Lightweight and adaptable to old hardware
Modern and visually appealing
Windows-like familiar UI
Cons
No advanced customizations
8. Deepin
Deepin Desktop Environment
Sometimes it’s not enough to offer customization options or being light on resources. There’s a lot of users who prefer an eye candy user interface by compromising the performance of the desktop environment.
That’s when the Deepin desktop environment comes to the scene. It may offer a macOS-ish interface in a way but because of the animations and the layout, the looks and feel of Deepin desktop environment is something to appreciate.
Originally, it was only available on Deepin OS, but it is now gradually being added to some other distributions as well. Recently an interesting project (UbuntuDDE) has managed to incorporate it on top of Ubuntu. It isn’t fairly new but it is being slowly adopted by other Linux distributions.
Pros
Eye candy user interface
Sleek animations
Cons
Heavy on resource usage and sluggish at times
So, which is the best desktop environment?
The reason why different desktop environment exists because there’s no ultimate desktop environment. Every user has a different set of requirements. Some look for a fast experience while some drool over an eye candy UI.
Even though we’ve already mentioned the best available in this article, there are a few other desktop environments that deserve the mention. Some of them are:
Trinity Desktop
Lumina Desktop
What desktop environment do you prefer and why? Feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
