Linux isn’t limited to only one distro. Many of them are made available while new ones are being added constantly. Each of them has its advantages. A Linux Desktop Environment has different flavors and features with impressive GUIs. But choosing the right one could be tricky for some users because some would want better user-friendly while others demand better performance.
The reason for writing this article is to make it easier for you to decide the desktop environment you should consider.
1. GNOME
GNOME is perhaps the most popular Desktop Environment ever developed for Linux; sometimes, users think it is part of Linux. It has an appealing and user-friendly interface comprising free, open-source software (FOSS), and other essential capabilities are listed below.
Key Features of GNOME:
Some of the Key features are listed below:
- GNOME Shell: This is the primary interface of the GNOME desktop environment, including features such as a customizable top bar, a searchable application launcher, and the ability to switch between windows and workspaces.
- GNOME Control Center: This is a central location for configuring various aspects of the GNOME desktop environment, including display settings, network settings, and privacy settings.
- GNOME Online Accounts: This feature allows you to easily connect to online services such as Google, Facebook, and Flickr and access your data from within the desktop environment.
- GNOME Web: This is the default web browser for the GNOME desktop environment, and it includes features such as a privacy-focused browsing mode and support for extensions.
- GNOME Calendar: This simple yet powerful calendar application integrates with the rest of the GNOME desktop environment and can display events from online accounts.
How to Install GNOME on Linux?
GNOME can be installed on various Linux distributions using the commands:
$ sudo apt install gnome #For Debian/Ubuntu-Based
$ sudo pacman -S gnome #For Arch-Based
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a fork of the Gnome desktop environment, and it shares many of the same features and capabilities.
Key Features of Cinnamon:
A few unique features are specific to Cinnamon:
- A Customizable Start Menu: This includes a traditional start menu that allows you to easily access frequently used applications and customize the menu’s layout and appearance.
- Themes and Applets: This includes a wide range of themes and applets that can be used to customize the appearance and behavior of the desktop environment. These include everything from visual themes that change the look of the desktop to functional applets that add new features and capabilities.
- Window Management: It has several advanced window management features, such as the ability to snap windows to the sides of the screen, view all open windows in a grid and easily move windows between workspaces.
- Desktop Effects: It contains several graphical effects that can enhance the visual appeal of the desktop environment, such as desktop animations, window transitions, and a 3D desktop cube.
- Configurability: It is designed to be highly configurable, with a wide range of options for customizing the appearance and behavior of the desktop environment. This includes customizing the panel, menu, and notification area and adding new applets and extensions to the desktop.
How to Install Cinnamon Linux?
To install Cinnamon, use the command per your Linux distribution:
$ sudo apt install cinnamon-desktop-environment #For Debian/Ubuntu
$ sudo pacman -S xorg xorg-server cinnamon gnome-terminal #For Arch-based
3. MATE
MATE is somewhat like Cinnamon but uses hardware resources better, even when compared to GNOME. This could be your partner if you’re using Raspberry Pi or other low-end hardware.
Linux Distributions like Debian, Manjaro Linux, Fedora, and Linux Mint come with MATE, which shows its importance. It is highly customizable, lightweight, and easy to use.
Key Features of MATE:
The notable features of MATE are listed below:
- Traditional Desktop Layout: It is designed to provide a traditional desktop layout, with a panel at the top and a menu in the bottom left corner, similar to older versions of the Gnome desktop environment.
- Tweak Tool: It includes a graphical tool called “MATE Tweak” that allows you to customize the appearance and behavior of the desktop environment easily. This includes options for changing the theme, icon set, window manager, and other settings.
- Multitasking View: It has a “Multitasking View” that allows you to view all of your open windows on a single screen, similar to the “Mission Control” feature in macOS.
- Compact Mode: It offers a “Compact Mode” that allows you to hide the top panel and access all your applications and windows from the bottom panel. This can be useful if you have a small screen or want to maximize your desktop space.
- Low Resource Usage: It is designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it a good choice for older or lower-powered computers.
How to Install MATE on Linux?
MATE Environment can be installed on various Linux systems as follows:
$ sudo apt install ubuntu-mate-desktop #For Debian/Ubuntu-Based
$ sudo pacman -S xorg xorg-server mate mate-extra #For Arch-Based
4. LXDE
LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) is a desktop environment designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it a good choice for older or lower-powered computers.
Key Features of LXDE:
Some of the unique features of LXDE include:
- Low Resource Usage: It is designed to use minimal system resources, making it faster and more responsive than heavier desktop environments.
- Customizable Panel: This desktop environment includes a panel at the bottom of the screen that can be customized to include various applets and used for launching applications and accessing system settings. The layout of the panel can also be adjusted to meet your preferences.
- Window Manager: It has a lightweight window manager called “Openbox” that is optimized for speed and efficiency.
- Desktop Icons: It allows you to place icons on the desktop, similar to older versions of the Windows operating system.
- Customizable Menu: A configurable menu simplifies accessing commonly used settings and programs.
- Lightweight Applications: It includes a set of lightweight applications optimized for low resource usage, including a web browser, text editor, and media player.
How to Install LXDE on Linux?
The LXDE environment can be installed on Linux as follows:
$ sudo apt install lxde #For Debian/Ubuntu-Based
$ sudo pacman -S xorg xorg-server lxde lxdm #For Arch-Based
5. Deepin
Deepin is a desktop environment developed by the Chinese company Deepin Technology. It is intended to be both aesthetically pleasing and simple, focusing on aesthetics and simplicity.
Key Features of Deppin:
Some of the unique features of the Deepin desktop environment include:
- Visually Appealing Design: It is known for its visually appealing design and sleek and modern interface that uses transparency, gradients, and other graphical effects.
- Customizable Control Center: It includes a control center that allows you to easily access and manage system settings, such as network settings, display settings, and power options.
- Application Launcher: It offers a full-screen application launcher that allows you to quickly access and launch applications and search for files and settings.
- Desktop Widgets: It includes a set of desktop widgets that can be used to add various types of information and functionality to the desktop, such as a weather widget, clock widget, and system monitor.
- File Manager: It offers a file manager optimized for speed and efficiency and includes features such as file preview, tagging, and search.
- System Update Manager: It includes a system update manager that allows you to easily update your system with the latest software and security patches.
How to Install Deepin on Linux?
The Deepin environment can be installed on various Debian/Ubuntu-based systems as follows:
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntudde-dev/stable #Add the PPA
$ sudo apt install ubuntudde-dde
And for Arch-Based systems:
$ pacman -S xorg xorg-server deepin deepin-extra #For Arch-Based System
6. Enlightenment
Enlightenment (also known as E) is a desktop environment known for its lightweight design, high performance, and customizable interface.
Key Features of Enlightenment:
Some of the unique features of Enlightenment include:
- Customizable Interface: It allows you to customize virtually every aspect of the desktop environment, including the layout of the panel, the appearance of the menu, and the behavior of the window manager.
- Desktop Effects: It includes a wide range of desktop effects, including transparent windows, window animations, and a 3D desktop cube.
- File Manager: It contains a file manager called “Files” optimized for speed and efficiency and includes features such as file preview, tagging, and file search.
- Application Launcher: It offers a customizable application launcher that allows you to easily access and launch applications and search for files and settings.
- Virtual Desktops: It allows you to create multiple virtual desktops, which you can use to organize your applications and windows into separate workspaces.
- Themes: It has a wide range of themes that can change the appearance of the desktop environment.
How to Install Enlightenment on Linux?
First, add the PPA using the first command and then install enlightenment using the command:
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:niko2040/e19 #Add the PPA First
$ sudo apt install enlightenment #Install the Enlightenment
7. Pantheon
Pantheon is the default desktop environment for the Elementary OS operating system that is designed to be simple, elegant, and intuitive, with a focus on aesthetics and usability.
Key Features of Pantheon:
Some of the unique features of Pantheon include:
- Aesthetically Pleasing Design: It is known for its visually appealing design, clean and modern interface that uses flat design elements, and a muted color palette.
- Customizable Panel: It includes a panel for launching applications and accessing system settings where you can customize the panel’s layout and add various applets.
- Desktop Widgets: It offers a set of desktop widgets that can be used to add various types of information and functionality to the desktop, such as a weather widget, clock widget, and system monitor.
- File Manager: It contains a file manager called “Files” optimized for speed and efficiency and includes features such as file preview, tagging, and file search.
- Application Launcher: It provides a full-screen application launcher that allows you to quickly access and launch applications and search for files and settings.
- Dock: It includes a dock at the bottom of the screen for easily accessing frequently used applications.
How to Install Pantheon on Linux?
Pantheon environment can be installed on the Linux distribution as follows:
$ sudo apt install elementary-desktop #For Debian/Ubuntu Based
8. XFCE
Xfce (XForms Common Environment) is a desktop environment designed to be lightweight, fast, and easy to use.
Key Features of XFCE:
Some of the unique features of Xfce include:
- Lightweight Design: It is designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it a good choice for older or lower-powered computers.
- Window Manager: It offers a lightweight window manager called “Xfwm”, optimized for speed and efficiency.
- Desktop Icons: Xfce allows you to place icons on the desktop, similar to older versions of the Windows operating system.
- Customizable Menu: It includes a configurable menu that simplifies accessing commonly used settings and programs.
- Taskbar: It provides a taskbar that displays all open windows and allows you to switch between them easily.
How to Install XFCE on Linux?
The XFCE environment can be installed on Linux using the following commands:
$ sudo apt install xubuntu-desktop #For Debian/Ubuntu Based
$ sudo pacman -S xfce4 xfce4-goodies #For Arch Based
Conclusion
The best DE for Linux in 2023 is GNOME, Cinnamon, MATE, LXDE, Deepin, Enlightenment, Pantheon, and XFCE. Choosing the right Desktop Environment for your system could cause fatigue as it sometimes gets confusing. Linux offers various desktop environments to have an interactive interface of the system. This post has listed the best 8 desktop environments with their features.
