KDE or Gnome: Pros and Cons of Choosing the Right One

There are many kinds of desktops and window managers on Linux. The most popular desktop environments on Linux are Cinnamon, Gnome, KDE, Mate, and Xfce. In terms of functionality, they are on par with desktops in Windows, or Mac OS, they are mature, have a rich history of innovation and many followers.

Which one is better is largely a matter of personal preference and the ability of computer equipment. Users with older machines are better off choosing XFCE or LXDE, and with a new one, you can get more effects by choosing KDE or Gnome. Experienced users recommend trying all four working shells, and then decide which one is best.

Free distribution environment

The GNOME project started in August 1997, in the form of a free, open source environment. Her design philosophy can be described as lightweight and mobile to use. The KDE community was created in October 1996. The creation of the system was carried out according to the principle of functional design with advanced features.

Gnome vs KDE comparison chart.

This comparative data of Gnome vs KDE will help users to make a fine selection of systems for custom tasks.

KDE Plasma Space

In many ways, KDE (K Desktop Environment) has similarities with Windows, so users, when used, feel at home in it. As in Win OS, they access the menu by clicking on the left side of the panel. The software has one menu bar at the bottom of the screen, it can be changed at the request of the user. With plasma workspaces, KDE is the most attractive of all Linux desktops.

Although KDE is more elegant in appearance and has more options than GNOME 2.x, XFCE or LXDE, it is also more resource intensive. On the other hand, it requires less system resources than Unity, and less RAM than GNOME 3. Like Gnome, it has many desktop applications with names starting with K. For example, Konqueror is web browser and file manager, and KStars is a desktop extension. Just like KDE or Gnome applications can be used in other environments. OpenSUSE, PCLinuxOS, and Mandriva are the main Linux distributions where KDE is used in its major releases. Kubuntu is a version of Ubuntu. With all of the above, KDE is an excellent desktop environment, which is certainly worth a choice.

Full Desktop XFCE

Less resource intensive than KDE or Gnome, XFCE is an excellent choice for older computers; it is still a full-fledged desktop environment that offers a lot of useful for the user and provides a good balance between functionality and saving system resources with a beautiful desktop. In appearance, the recently released version resembles Mac OS X with its dock-like panel located at the bottom of the desktop, more functional than Gnome, KDE and Lxde.

Eight reasons to use Xfce:

1. Lightweight construction. It takes up very little memory space and uses a processor compared to some other desktops such as KDE or Gnome. Very low CPU utilization is also its hallmark.
2. Simplicity. The desktop is simple and not overloaded with icons. The main option has two panels and a vertical line of icons on the left side. Panel 0 is located at the bottom and consists of several basic launchers, as well as the “Applications” icon, which provides access to them in the system. Removable drives can be hidden or displayed as a group.
3. File management. Thunar, the default Xfce file manager, is easy to use, configure, and learn. Although it is not as good as Konqueror or Dolphin file managers, it is quite capable of competing with them in script processing speed.
4. Stability. New releases are on a three-year cycle, although updates are provided as needed. The excellent nature of the Xfce desktop is very encouraging after problems with KDE. It never spawns demons that consume system resources.
5. Elegance. Simplicity is the reason why Xfce is very stable, which is characterized by a responsive interface and an easily orientated structure that gives a general natural elegance and makes it pleasant to use.
6. Terminal emulation uses tabs to enable multiple terminals in one window, in conjunction with other emulators. It is simple compared to Tilix, Terminator and Konsole, but it does its job very well.
7. Configurability. Configuration applications are available separately, but for ease of access to the Settings Manager, it collects them all in one window.
8. Modularity. Xfce has several separate projects that make up a single whole, but not all parts of it are installed by the distribution without fail.

Fast and modern LXDE

LXQt is the next modern desktop of the popular lightweight Linux environment. It is used to enable low-level computers with Ubuntu. This is a classic desktop with minimal system requirements, based on Qt. The use of LXQt is made possible by combining the Qt LXDE initiative with the famous Razor-qt projects. LXQt - lightweight, modular, incredibly fast and user friendly environment, has become more popular than KDE, Gnome and Xfce

The LXQt development team has proposed a beautiful and easy-to-use desktop environment that replaces the heavier and more complex DEs. Many kernel changes are adapted from the previous Razor-qt (0.5.2) and the initial port of LXDE Qt. The complete refinement of the PCManFM file manager, improvements to system settings, new modular components and constant progress in supporting both Qt5 and the Wayland display protocol made the shell more functional than KDE, Gnome, and Xfce.

Lubuntu Daily PPA accepts the necessary packages for LXQt, including a meta package to simplify installation. DE can be installed with the regular version of LXDE. It is better to try DE in a virtual machine to understand the principles of functionality and the ability to work. Full Qt dependencies will be installed in LXQt, so a very good internet connection is required to check.

GNOME Operational Priorities

Built from free, open source software, GNOME has focused on freedom, accessibility, internationalization, localization, developer friendliness, organization, and support from the start. It is supported by a large community of developers who provide a six-month schedule for the release of a new product.

In the default configuration, GNOME uses a top bar with an action button, clock, system status monitoring and a custom menu. Browse provides quick access and switching between open windows and applications. It aims to use as little system resources as possible and offers an easy-to-use interface that is friendly for novice Linux users. Although it offers advanced settings that allow you to customize your environment, experienced users find its interface somewhat restrictive.

At default settings, GNOME places a toolbar at the top and a pop-up panel with large application icons on the left side of the screen that appears when the mouse pointer is over its location.

Initial color scheme: dark gray, orange and purple. GNOME hides the settings in several layers of the interface lists in the System Preferences control panel, which allows you to optimize the basic user interface.

Cinnamon versatility

Linux Mint Cinnamon (Cinnamon) - a version of the desktop shell used by thousands of users, which is available for download and has significant improvements in services, its new features are more optimal than those of Gnome, KDE, Lxde and Xfce. Clement Lefebvre has released a feature package for the new version of the Cinnamon desktop environment:

1. Support mozjs 38.
2. Support for new Wacom devices.
3. The configuration of Daemon Multi-process creates the conditions when each plug-in works in its own process.
4. Closed sessions are instantaneous, just like Linux Gnome or KDE.
5. Separate processes for Nemo and desktop management.
6. Simpler date formats.
7. Actions on the desktop are implemented in the launchpad, which increases mouse support in Firefox and Nemo.
8. New configuration options for the screen saver.
9. More information is displayed in the application and desktop dialogs, similar to the Ubuntu KDE and Gnome environments.
10. Improvements in supporting and adjusting mouse acceleration and sensitivity.
11. New features and tools have been added for effective communication with the LightDM session manager.

Enhanced Privacy Systems

Tails promoted by Edward Snowden is based on Debian, is a distribution ready for execution from USB or DVD. Tails connects to TOR as soon as the Xfce, Gnome, KDE, and Cinnamon OS are launched and all Internet connections are made through this network.

Kali Linux is a Debian-based distribution with a huge set of hardware security tools. It uses its own kernel with security fixes and supports the ARM architecture.

BlackArch Linux is a computer-oriented security distribution that originally appeared as an extension of Arch Linux, but went its own way. This gives users access to a significant number of hacking tools, including Sploit Ctl, a script that allows you to install, update and search slots for Gnome, KDE, Xfce, Lxde, Mate, and Cinnamon.

Arch Assault is a new distribution, also based on Arch Linux similar to the previous one, also intended for hackers and fans of anonymity. The minimalist desktop, with the Openbox window manager, followed by the Tint2 panel, offers support for ARM architectures.

Fine OS specialization

For users interested in special types of science, technology or culture, multidisciplinary software for Gnome, KDE and Cinnamon is offered.

Distro Astro - the distribution is based on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS using the MATE desktop environment - this is a complete set of applications for astronomy lovers.

SteamOS, a Debian-based distribution developed by Valve, is a video game media center that integrates larger image mode than a desktop system.

ArtistX is a multimedia-oriented distribution for use in the LiveDVD and USB formats; it is installed on any computer. It uses the KDE shell and offer a collection of open source programs for video and 2D / 3D graphics.

Ubuntu Studio - focused on professional multimedia publishing and graphics. It uses the Xfce working shell and does not have pre-installed office software that is designed for multimedia editing.

Scientific Linux is a binary-level clone of the Red Hat Enterprise shell developed and maintained by the CERN and Fermilab physics labs to create a dedicated scientific computing operating system.

Cheeld is an OpenSUSE-based distribution that uses the KDE environment and is intended for electronic engineers and students of this specialty, allowing them to design and model electronic circuits.

Edubuntu is another derivative of Ubuntu, but this time specifically for schools and teachers. It offers a large set of software and educational tools, a good option for installing on the computers of the smallest from home.

Openelec is a small Linux distribution created from the ground up to turn a computer into a Kodi-based multimedia center, formerly called XBMC. It does what it promises, and it requires only 90-125 MB of internal memory. In addition to the official version, it has two other packages for the Raspberry Pi and Apple TV.

Online distribution selection

Installing Linux on a computer is a step that many users take for several reasons. Firstly, it is a free operating system, unlike Microsoft. Secondly, there are many varieties of Linux, so it is sometimes difficult to decide which is the best.

Ubuntu and all its variations, Mint, Debian, OpenSUSE, and various desktop environments can be difficult to understand and choose. There are online helpers to help with the selection. You can, for example, make an online selection on the Distrochooser website. To do this, you need to fill out a short form, and the extension will help you choose the Linux distribution that is best suited to user needs.

This website was created in English, but an online translator will help the user answer questions. All of them relate to the computer on which you plan to install the distribution. If you are using an old computer, the system will offer a light distribution in Linux KDE, Gnome and Centos, including those based on Android.

If the user decided to try several versions, you can create LiveUSB with several versions in the same Pendrive. Creating a dual boot is also easy if you need to install Linux without uninstalling Windows from your computer.

comparison table

Although Windows is still the most used operating system in the world. In recent years, the use of Linux has increased significantly. The number of distributions available on the network is growing, each has unique qualities and characteristics that distinguish it from others. A brief comparative description of desktops.

It is difficult to collect all distributions in one place and choose the best one, therefore this table summarizes the main differences between the main shells so that the user can select them according to the tasks that need to be performed on a personal computer.