9 most popular Linux desktop shell
Technologies / / December 19, 2019
You can install any shell in your existing system. However, for beginners easier to download a ready distribution with pre-installed and pre-configured environment - examples of which are shown for each item.
1. KDE
KDE Plasma - perhaps the most advanced desktop shell from everyone. At the same time she is also very beautiful. KDE huge number of different settings - if you want the system can be transformed into the likeness of Windows, MacOS, make it futuristic and fanciful in appearance or, on the contrary, to turn your desktop into a kingdom minimalism. For KDE developed a variety of themes, extensions, and third-party widgets (here referred to as plasmoids).
By default, KDE interface reminiscent of Windows. Below - the task bar, on which the start menu, and system tray clock. You can create and delete panels in any quantity, and the elements they are allowed to move in a random order, changing the system beyond recognition.
Comes with KDE you get a bunch of nice and it is extremely functional applications. For example, Amarok - powerful audio player capable in their capabilities to compete with iTunes; KGet - Comfortable boot files from the Internet; Konqueror browser is quite good; universal instant messenger Kopete and KDE Connect, allows you to connect your
Android smartphone with the desktop.- Who will approach: advanced users who need a lot of possibilities, and lovers of "beautiful".
- Benefits: very stylish and modern look, adjusted extremely flexible, has a large number of functions.
- Disadvantages: It consumes more system resources than the other shell. Newcomers will be hard to understand all options galore. However, the shell can comfortably use in its standard form.
- distributions: Kubuntu, openSUSE, Chakra.
2. GNOME
One of the most popular desktop environments for Linux. GNOME interface, apparently focused on touchscreen devices: large icons and pop-up menus, a list of applications unfolding, something reminiscent of the Launchpad on MacOS. Conservative users this seems not very familiar. GNOME but definitely comfortable and very beautiful shell. And if you do not like all these newfangled bells and whistles, you can always switch to GNOME Classic mode.
Development is somewhat similar to MacOS. At the top of the screen is a panel clock and calendar system tray in the middle and right side. On the left - a dock that is used to start applications and switch between them.
The shell has a built-in tools such as systematic search, calendar, file manager Nautilus, Evolution mail client, media player Totem. If desired, the features of GNOME can be increased with the help of third-party extensions - there are many.
- Who will approach: owners of systems with touch screens, tablets and transformers, as well as those who are accustomed to the MacOS.
- Benefits: looks nice and modern, convenient and fast, supports many extensions, has a large number of settings.
- Disadvantages: pretty heavy. Not all users will like the interface-oriented touch-sensitive device.
- distributions: Ubuntu, Fedora, Antergos.
3. MATE
Once GNOME 2 was the standard of minimalism and simplicity. But the developers decided to add cool features, and as a result we got a futuristic GNOME 3, which pleases us so far. However, not all the innovations in it seemed appropriate, therefore, Community Linux created MATE.
It is still the same good old GNOME with two panels at the top and bottom, but focused on today's realities. The top panel is used to access menus, icons, and Trey, the bottom - to switch between running applications and desktops. The panel can move, delete, and modify as you wish.
MATE is extremely taxing in terms of memory and CPU power, so it can be used even on very old computers. The system with the shell still looks pretty good.
- Who will approach: owners of older PCs and low-power or those who do not want a beautiful interface-consuming reserves.
- Benefits: very fast and easy-to-use workspace, which consumes little resources, but good tunes.
- Disadvantages: MATE interface may seem too conservative and old-fashioned.
- distributions: Ubuntu MATE, Linux Mint MATE.
4. Cinnamon
This is also a fork of GNOME, as MATE. Here are just designed Cinnamon still on newer computers. This graphical shell appeared in Linux Mint, but later spread to other distributions.
The main feature of Cinnamon - its simplicity. While other graphic environment trying to become something special and different from other interfaces, this development is trying to be as friendly to newcomers. Master it will be easy, even for those who previously enjoyed only the Windows, because apparently there is a significant similarity with the operating system from Microsoft. Panel to open applications at the bottom left of the main menu, and Quick Launch icons to the right tray and watches.
For all its simplicity Cinnamon - it's still a fairly advanced and customizable shell. Panels and elements can be moved in any order. And if you get tired of reminding Windows look, you can easily reshape the interface in their own way for a couple of minutes.
- Who will approach: users migrated with Windows, and beginners. And also for those who want a simple and intuitive graphical environment to work and not to admire it.
- Benefits: very cute appearance, the interface is easy to understand. There are a fair number of settings and applets.
- Disadvantages: in the official repositories so little. However, you can download a third-party with the same gnome Look and DeviantArt.
- distributions: Linux Mint.
5. Budgie
Budgie borrowed from docking macOS, side panel Windows 10 and the top panel of Trey of GNOME, look at this rather original and interesting. The chip of the shell - a convenient Raven panel on the right side of the screen to control the player, notifications, calendar and system settings.
Environment can not boast an abundance of options, but it is simple and understandable even for beginners. And if you drag the top bar downwards, Budgie and all will resemble Windows 10 interface.
- Who will approach: for beginners who do not want to understand the settings and experienced Linux users who want something unusual.
- Benefits: comfortable and intuitive interface. Looks good even on devices with small screens, such as netbooks.
- Disadvantages: quite voracious in terms of system resources, despite the fact that fewer settings than in GNOME and KDE.
- distributions: Solus Linux, Ubuntu Budgie.
6. LXDE
This graphical environment is sacrificed for the sake of beauty and performance optimization. LXDE its appearance looks like an older version of Mac OS X and works even on very old and slow computers.
If you have lying around in the closet the only one, then install Linux on it with LXDE and get comfortable workhorse for web surfing, document storage, watching movies and playing music.
- Who will approach: owners of old PCs that slows down even MATE and Xfce.
- Benefits: very fast. Start even on the oldest devices.
- Disadvantages: interface, frankly, a little archaic, but it can be corrected by means of the.
- distributions: Lubuntu.
7. Xfce
Minimalist and lightweight graphical environment. It is much less configuration than in KDE, I it can run on almost any hardware. Although Xfce taxing on system resources, it looks pretty good.
The set comes Thunar file manager with a convenient tabbed interface and built-in tool for mass rename files. Optionally Xfce sheath can be expanded with external modules. Supported and themes.
- Who will approach: universal environment that can be used, and the owners of old computers, and lovers of simple austere interface.
- Benefits: very lightweight option. In this case, there is a lot more features and options than in LXDE. Cute looks, but again subtly reminiscent of Mac OS X Tiger.
- Disadvantages: consumes more system resources than LXDE.
- distributions: Xubuntu, Manjaro Linux.
8. Pantheon
Graphical shell Pantheon was originally developed for elementary OS. Her priorities - easy to learn and beauty. The creators of elementary OS directly stated that relied on MacOS. Pantheon is indeed similar to the system, but there are differences. Firstly, in another window located control buttons, while "Close", and is left as accustomed makovody. Secondly, from the global menu developers abandoned, making the top panel transparent.
Pantheon easy to learn: there are few settings, it is very difficult to get lost in this shell. A docking panel Plank, specially created for her is beautiful and does not occupy a lot of memory.
- Who will approach: macOS users and beginners who want a simple and intuitive interface.
- Benefits: very fast, it looks good. Animation windows and panels look stylish and pleasant.
- Disadvantages: customize the appearance of the system will not work. All of the covenants MacOS.
- distributions: elementary OS.
9. Deepin Desktop Environment
Deepin Desktop Environment was originally created by Chinese developers for the operating system of the same name, but later migrated to other Linux distributions. It places great emphasis on visual appeal and ease of use. The shell looks really modern and stylish.
Feature Deepin Desktop Environment - a universal convertible panel below. It can be converted into an analog taskbar Windows 10 or something like dock macOS. And in fact, and in another mode, use it very convenient. Side also placed another slide-out panel with settings and notifications.
- Who will approach: will settle everything. The panel can be easily transformed into Deepin and MacOS-like dock with Launchpad, and in Windows 10, the taskbar with the familiar for many menu.
- Benefits: minimalistic and easy to use interface that looks stylish and unusual. As it is easy to sort out even novice users.
- Disadvantages: a bunch of useless pre-installed applications from Deepin developers.
- distributions: Deepin, Manjaro Linux.
see also🧐
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