Use different desktops for Linux. Or: From a general laptop to a "MYLaptop" - TUXEDO Computers

Much more can be configured under Linux than in other operating systems

Königsbrunn (Germany), 21st of March 2019. Linux offers possibilities that users of other operating systems are not aware of because it is not planned to change anything or because it is often not wanted. Linux is different here: The user is very free, e.g. in the design of the desktop and this does not only mean background images. Desktops also include the window manager (how do the windows behave), panels (at the edge or on the screen with icons for menus and quick starts), file managers (navigating through folders), menus, browsers, widgets, displays, text editors, terminals and office suites. Here you can really let off steam.

Here is a small overview of different desktops that are popular:

LXDE

Screenshot: Hidro - Hidro (talk), GPL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4599081

Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment. This desktop is known from Lubuntu. This desktop is especially suitable for older machines or for devices with few resources, because it is energy-saving and works fast. It consists of many different components. With LXAppearance new wallpapers, icons and desktop themes can be installed and LXDE also has its own file manager: PCMan. There is no window manager of its own, but OpenBox is used here by default, a follow-up of BlackBox. All in all, the desktop is rather simple and without graphical effects - so it is quite traditional.

GNOME 3

https://www.gnome.org/

GNU Object Model Environment. This desktop is the default desktop for Ubuntu and Fedora. It is a follow-up to GNOME 2 and is considered very user-friendly yet minimalistic. TUXEDO Computers devices can also be ordered pre-installed with openSUSE and GNOME. GNOME 3 has a page list for quick start of programs. The desktop can also be configured, but only with the Gnome Tweak tool. The window manager Mutter is a Metacity fork. Nautilus is used as file manager. The desktop is more suitable for users who don't want to spend much time on the desktop. Pro: GNOME 3 works very well for touch displays. Contra: The desktop consumes a lot of resources.

Budgie

https://ubuntubudgie.org/portfolio/screenshots

This is the latest desktop Ubuntu offers with its LTS version. It is based on GNOME and was originally developed for Solus Linux. It is considered modern and intuitive by users and therefore very different from the traditional desktop version. If you buy a device from TUXEDO Computers, you can either get Ubuntu Budgie pre-installed or the adapted version TUXEDO_OS, based on Ubuntu with Budgie Desktop. In terms of resources, Budgie is a middle thing - it consumes neither many nor few resources. However, users with older computers should keep their distance, as it is too resource-intensive.

Cinnamon

https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/de/latest/choose.html

This is the official desktop version of Linux Mint and a fork of GNOME 2, but it represents the modern concepts of GNOME 3 as well as the traditional operation of GNOME 2. Here the focus is clearly on desktop use, so Cinnamon is also described as a "full-featured desktop". There is a menu button, app shortcuts and single panels as well as the file manager Nemo and the window manager Muffin. Many users feel reminded of Windows and some find it easier to get started with Linux. The desktop is configurable and topic extensions can be obtained via a separate setting tool. Since the desktop is quite resource-intensive, it is not suitable for older computers.

MATE

https://mate-desktop.org/gallery/1.14/

Named after the plant of the same name. This is also a fork from GNOME 2 with a very traditional look and a dash of modernity. The classic desktop concept has been continued here. MATE is also well suited for older computers. The generous window titles are rated positively. Basic apps are also available and users benefit from intuitive usability. In fact, the GNOME 2 applications have been adopted and replaced by Spanish language terms, e.g. the own file manager Caja, the window manager Marco and the text editor Pluma, etc.

Xfce

https://linuxnews.de/2018/02/wo-bleibt-xfce-4-14/

XForms Common Environment. One knows this desktop mainly by the distributions Manjaro or Xubuntu. This environment can be selected and pre-installed on a TUXEDO Computers device in combination with openSUSE. It is one of the lightest desktop environments and very user-friendly. The environment is quite simple and offers only few configurations - but the panels can be customized. Xfce also comes with its own file manager, Thunar.

KDE Plasma 5

https://kde.org/announcements/plasma5.0/

Kool Desktop Environment. KDE Plasma offers many apps but is relatively resource intensive. During the installation you can also skip unneeded components. System settings often refer to openSUSE or Kubuntu. Via TUXEDO Computers, KDE Plasma can be pre-installed as a desktop with openSUSE 15. Adjustments can be made - but inexperienced users can overtax the multitude of possibilities. The standard window manager Kwin can also be changed if you want.

Enlightment

https://www.enlightenment.org/_media/shot-enlightenment.png

This is one of the older desktop environments that is also suitable for older machines. Enlightment has its own file manager and function libraries called Enlightment Foundation Libraries (EFL). Everything can be configured under this desktop but it doesn't offer many apps. By default, Enlightment can be found in the package sources of Arch Linux, Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, openSUSE.

Pantheon

https://www.fosslinux.com/4652/pantheon-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-elementary-os-desktop.htm

This desktop was originally developed for Elementary OS and is based on GNOME graphics libraries. However, this desktop is not configurable and has no apps. Includes a classic application menu where applications can also be divided into categories. However, it contains its own window manager: Gala. Pantheon was developed in such a way that users can use a desktop as ergonomically, quickly and visually enhanced as possible. Like Elementary OS, it is very reminiscent of Apple.

Trinity / TDE

https://www.trinitydesktop.org/media/screenshots/large/tde4.png

Trinity Desktop Environment. rinity/TDE is a fork of KDE3 and can be found by default in the package sources for Debian, Fedora and Ubuntu. TDE is very traditional in structure and design, very reminiscent of Windows screens, and also well suited for older machines. The desktop comes with its own file manager Konquerer as well as its own text editor, file manager, music player Amarok and so on.

Great choice and great freedom

The selection of different desktops is very large and Linux users can let off steam and put the device together as they please. Then the "normal" laptop becomes "MYLaptop".

By the way: Laptops and PCs that can be purchased via TUXEDO Computers can be pre-installed with openSUSE and Ubuntu Budgie LTS or TUXEDO_OS or ordered without an operating system.