KDE, GNOME, and XFCE desktop comparison

KDE, GNOME, and XFCE desktop comparison

Over the years, many people have been using KDE or GNOME desktop environments on their Linux desktops. While these two desktop environments have evolved over the years, other desktops have continued to increase their user size. For example, in a lightweight desktop environment, XFCE is one of the most popular desktop environments, and the default configuration of Xfce can defeat the former, compared to LXDE's lack of graceful visuals. The features provided by XFCE can be obtained under GNOME2, however, the lightweight features of some older computers can achieve better results.

Desktop Theme Customization

After the user finishes the installation, XFCE may seem a bit uninteresting because it lacks some visual appeal. But don't get me wrong, XFCE still has a nice desktop, but for most people who just touch the XFCE desktop environment, it might look like vanilla. But the good news is that when we want to install a new theme for Xfce, it's a very easy process, because you can quickly find the Xfce theme you like, and then you can unzip it into a suitable directory. From this point of view, the Xfce comes with a "look" under the important graphical interface tool can help users to more easily choose favorite topic, this is probably the most useful tool in the XFCE. If users follow the recommendations above, there will be no difficulty for any user who wants to try XFCE.

On the GNOME desktop, users can also follow a similar approach. However, the main difference is that before you do this, the user must manually download and install the GNOME Tweak Tool. Of course, there are no barriers to use, but for users, using XFCE to install and activate themes does not require additional downloads to install various adjustment tools, which may be an advantage they cannot overlook. On GNOME, especially after the user has downloaded and installed the Gnome Tweak tool, you will still have to make sure that you have the user theme extension installed.

Like XFCE, users need to search for and download their favorite themes, then the user can use the GNOME Tweak tool again and click on the "Appearance" button on the left side of the tool interface, then the user can view the bottom of the page and click the File browse button, Then browse to the compressed folder and open it. When this is done, the user will see a dialog box that tells the user that the theme has been successfully applied, so that your theme is installed. The user can then simply use the drop-down menu to select the theme they want. As with XFCE, the process of activating a theme is also very simple, but it is also important to consider the use of a new theme to download an application that is not preinstalled in the system.

Finally, it is the KDE desktop theme customization process. Like XFCE, there is no need to download additional tools to install the theme. From this point of view, there is a feeling that Xfce may have to be overcome by KDE. Not only can you use the graphical user interface to install themes on KDE, but you can even just click on the button to get a new theme to find, view new topics, and finally install them automatically.

However, we should note that KDE is a more robust desktop environment than XFCE. Of course, for the desktop for the purpose of minimalist design, there is some reason for missing some more functions. For this reason, we want to add points to KDE for such an excellent function.

MATE is not a lightweight desktop environment

Before continuing to compare XFCE, GNOME3 and KDE, we need to clarify that we did not add the MATE desktop environment to our comparisons. MATE can be seen as another derivative of GNOME2, but it is not primarily a lightweight or fast desktop. Instead, its main purpose is to become a more traditional and comfortable desktop environment, and make its users as comfortable as at home when using it.

XFCE, on the other hand, is born to fulfill his own series of missions. XFCE provides its users with a desktop environment that is lighter and still retains a compelling visual experience. Then, for some people who think mate is a lightweight desktop environment, mate's real goal is not to be a lightweight desktop environment. Both of these options seem to be very appealing after they have a good theme installed on their own.

Desktop navigation

In addition to the desktop, XFCE offers an eye-catching navigator. Anyone who has used a traditional Windows or GNOME 2/mate desktop environment can use the navigator of the newly installed XFCE desktop environment without any help. Immediately after that, adding small programs to the panel is also very noticeable. Just like looking for an already installed application, just use the launcher and click on the app icon you want to run. With the exception of LXDE and MATE, there is no other desktop navigator that can do so easily. Not only that, but even better, the use of the control Panel is very easy to use, which is a great benefit for users who have just used this new desktop. If users prefer to use their desktops in an old-fashioned way, then GNOME is not appropriate. The use of a hot corner instead of a minimized button, plus other application arrangements, makes it easy for most new users.

If a user comes from a desktop environment like Windows, these users need to abandon these habits and simply add a small program to the top of their workspace with a right mouse click. Instead, it can be implemented by using extensions. Gnome can be installed and expanded, and is very easy, and these easy-to-use bodies now simply need to be used by the user on the on/off switch on the GNOME extension page. However, the user must know this thing in order to really use this feature.

GNOME, on the other hand, embodies its design concept in its appearance, providing users with an intuitive and easy-to-use Control Panel. You might think that's not a big deal, but, in my opinion, it really is something that I think is commendable and necessary to be mentioned. KDE provides its users with more traditional desktop experiences and caters to users from Windows by providing similar initiators and a more similar way of acquiring software. Adding widgets or widgets to the KDE desktop is a simple matter, just right-clicking on the desktop. The only problem is that this feature is not found in KDE, just like anything else in KDE, which seems to be hidden from the user. KDE users may disagree with my point of view, but I still stick to what I say.

To add a widget, you can see the panel options by right-clicking on the My panel, but not as an intuitive way to install widgets. You can't see Add part unless you select panel options before you see add part. This is not a problem for me, but for some users, it becomes unnecessary confusion. Complicating things, however, after users were able to find part areas, they later discovered a new term called "activity." It is in the same place as the component, but it is another act in its own area.

Now please do not misunderstand me, the activity feature in KDE is very good and valuable, but from a usability standpoint, it is more appropriate to put another menu item in order not to confuse the novice. The user is different, but let the new user test for a period of time can make it continuous improvement. The criticism of "activity" is set aside, and KDE's approach to adding new parts is really great. As with the KDE theme, users cannot browse and automatically install parts by using the provided graphical user interface. This is a bit of a magical feature, but it can work as well. KDE's control panel may not be the same as the user would like, it is not simple enough. But it is clear that this is where they are committed to improvement.

Therefore, XFCE is the best desktop environment, right?

For my own part, I use GNOME, KDE on my Computer, and XFCE in my office and my home computer. I also have some old machines in use Openbox and LXDE. Every desktop experience can provide me with something useful to help me use each machine in the right way. For me, Xfce is the love of my heart, because Xfce is a desktop environment I've been using for years. But for this article, I wrote it with the machines I use everyday, in fact, it uses GNOME.

The main idea of this article is that, for those who are looking for a stable, traditional, easy-to-understand desktop environment, I still feel that XFCE can provide a better user experience. You are welcome to share your comments with us in the comments section.

KDE, GNOME, and XFCE desktop comparison