7 of the most widely used Linux desktop environment counts

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Diversity should be one of the best features of Linux, and users can constantly try out all kinds of favorite and fresh gameplay and tricks, and find out which apps are best for them. Whether you're new to Linux or a veteran, endless applications and desktop environments can be overwhelming, especially if you're trying different Linux desktop environments, which is a very time-consuming and tiring task.

Here, our system geek on the most widely used 7 Linux desktop environment to take stock, and compare its advantages and disadvantages, I hope you choose or do a variety of toss to help.

Disclaimer: We are just counting the most widely used 7 Linux desktop environments, in no particular order.

Kde

KDE is not just a desktop environment, it is actually a collection of applications and Linux desktops, and the desktop environment itself serves only as a subset of the set of application environments. Currently the latest KDE environment is called Plasma, which is divided into Plasma desktop and Plasma Netbook two versions, KDE can be said to be one of the most customized, most flexible Linux desktop environment.

Other desktop environments may require additional tools to customize or tweak, and KDE integrates all of this into system settings, and users do not need to use any third-party tools to personalize their desktops, such as downloading desktop gadgets, wallpapers, and themes.

KDE also integrates common basic applications and is compatible with applications that are not built using the KDE development platform, and KDE integrated applications are rich enough to meet the everyday applications of ordinary users without the need to install alternative applications.

KDE is a great choice whether you just want an out-of-the-box Linux desktop environment or a fully customizable desktop. The Linux distributions currently using KDE as the default desktop environment are mainly OpenSUSE and Kubuntu.

KDE Benefits:

• Very rich and powerful features
• Adopt a modern user interface
• High degree of customization and flexibility
• Wide range of software compatibility

KDE Disadvantages:

• A slightly heavier resource footprint
• Some components seem to be too complex to use.

MATE

The MATE desktop environment is based on the currently unattended Gnome 2,mate, which was originally developed for users who were disappointed with Gnome 3. The development of the Fork in the GNOME 2 code does not imply the use of outdated technologies, and MATE will continue to use modern technology for improvement.

The MATE desktop environment features a modern yet traditional desktop experience that supports panel systems, menus, small programs, indicators and buttons, and can be arranged according to the needs of the user. MATE comes with a basic application that is replicated from GNOME 2 for integration, which itself consumes very little resources and is able to work stably on a less robust hardware platform.

Ubuntu Mate is currently using mate as its default desktop environment.

Mate Benefits:

• Intuitive and stable user experience
• Simple, lightweight
• Highly customizable

Mate Cons:

• The interface looks a little old.

Gnome

Gnome is one of the most widely and most popular desktop environments for Linux distributions, and many Linux distributions use GNOME as their default desktop environment. It also has some popular branches, such as Cinnamon, Unity, and so on. Designed for ease of use and customization, GNOME currently has the latest Gnome 3 with a very modern and compelling user interface, and provides better support for touch devices.

Gnome contains almost all the features required for all modern desktop environments, and GNOME 3 offers a better interface than the GNOME 2 classic model, with dashboards, full-system search and powerful applications that can be directly and easily handled by user needs. However, the customization of the desktop environment needs to be done using the Gnome-tweak-tool tool, which in 3.18 releases some interesting features of the file Manager, such as the integration of Google drive.

The Linux distributions currently using GNOME as the default desktop environment are mainly Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, and Ubuntu gnome.

GNOME Benefits:

• Modern and touch-friendly user interface
• Ability to extend extensions through the Shell
• Highly customizable

Gnome Cons:

• Extended management not satisfactory

CINNAMON

Cinnamon is a branch of GNOME 3 and is currently being used as the default desktop environment for Linux Mint. It's best known as a Windows-like user interface that helps Linux starter users get started and reduce their resilience.

The basic applications of the Cinnamon integration are rooted in the GNOME 3,cinnamon integrated panels, themes, small applications and a variety of custom component extensions, the bottom edge of the panel position screen, with the main menu, Enabler, open Window list, and system tray.

Cinnamon Advantages:

• Stylish and sophisticated look
• The familiar interface
• Very nice custom.

Cinnamon Disadvantages:

• Bugs that happen occasionally

UNITY

Unity is also based on the GNOME desktop environment and is equipped with the most core GNOME applications. Unity is used primarily for Ubuntu desktop environments developed by Canonical.

Unity's main focus is to provide a consistent user experience for users using keyboards, mice, trackpad, and even touch screens, providing users with simple applications and integrated touch-friendly environments, as well as implementing new ideas and technologies such as lens and HUD.

Despite a lot of controversy over the Unity desktop environment, it has a very large number of users, thanks to it being the default desktop environment for the most popular Linux distributions in Ubuntu.

Unity Benefits:

• Very intuitive
• A seamless Desktop Experience

Unity Cons:

• Poor customization
• Not available for major Linux distributions

LXDE

LXDE is an extremely fast, resource-saving desktop environment that provides a lightweight and user-friendly desktop with a modular implementation that allows each component to be used independently, making it easier for LXDE to migrate to other Linux, BDS, and Unix.

LXDE comes with a variety of desktop components, systems, and configuration tools, and is currently the default desktop environment for Lubuntu.

LXDE Advantages:

• Light enough, extremely fast
• Almost all Linux distributions supported

LXDE Disadvantages:

• The user interface does not seem appealing

XFCE

Xfce is one of the most lightweight desktop environments for Linux, BSD, and other Unix distributions, and Xfce offers a very streamlined, modern, visually appealing user-friendly interface with a set of basic features.

Currently Manjaro Linux and Xubuntu use XFCE as their default desktop environment.

XFCE Benefits:

• Very light weight, suitable for older hardware
• The interface is modern and attractive enough
• A certain degree of customization

Xfce Disadvantages:

• Fewer built-in applications

Different Linux desktop environment development purpose and nature are different, for different user needs, which desktop for their own application is the king, with the above introduction, we may wish to carry out their own trial.

7 of the most widely used Linux desktop environment counts