On the question: “Which Linux distribution should I choose?” In my article last year, “I need a More customized Linux Distribution than Ubuntu,” I gave a shortlist of candidates for a given criteria. A series of articles has been written to help you choose a distribution based on your needs and your computer configuration, and choosing the right desktop environment is part of the process.

You can choose from the popular Debian, Fedora, OpenSUSE, or Arch distributions, which offer almost all desktop environments. Other Liunx distributions, such as Bodhi, Xubuntu, and Linux Mint, default to a desktop environment and then highly customize it. (Please refer to the original text or project home page for details of each version.)

Modern heavyweight desktop environment

The following desktop environments are different from the traditional menu bar layout that many people are familiar with. If your hardware configuration is too old, there is not enough memory, CPU frequency is not high, or graphics card processing power, these desktop environments are not good choices for you.

1) the Unity

2) the Gnome

Partial distribution of the desktop environment using Gnome:

  • Ubuntu Gnome
  • Mageia
  • Debian
  • Fedora
  • openSUSE
  • Arch
  • CentOS
  • Manjaro
  • Kali
  • Makulu
  • Knoppix
  • Korora

A traditional heavyweight desktop environment

To me, a traditional heavyweight desktop environment has a bottom taskbar, desktop ICONS, and a menu bar where you can scroll through directories to find programs. The difference between heavyweights and lightweights is that heavyweights consume more resources.

1) Cinnamon

Using Cinnamon as a partial release of the desktop environment:

  • Mint
  • Cinnarch
  • Makulu
  • Mageia
  • Fedora
  • Arch

2) KDE

Using KDE as a partial release of the desktop environment:

  • Mint
  • Debian
  • Mageia
  • Fedora
  • openSUSE
  • Kubuntu
  • PCLinuxOS
  • Netrunner
  • Arch
  • Korora
  • Makulu
  • SolyDK
  • Knoppix
  • SLAX

3) Mr Zorin Desktop

A traditional lightweight desktop environment

Lightweight desktops require fewer resources and can run on most hardware, including taskbars, menus, and ICONS.

1) MATE

2) XFCE

3) the LXDE

4) Enlightenment

Fluxbox,JWM,IceWM,RazorQT

Conclusion:

There are other window management tools, more than 70 of which can be downloaded and used, and LinuxBBQ provides the information.

If you only use your computer for web browsing, watching videos, and listening to music, and you have a newer computer, why not try Unity and Gnome?

If you have a new computer but prefer a more traditional style, try the KDE or Cinnamon. If you have a moderately equipped computer, recommend MATE or XFCE, both of which are worth a try on a new computer because they keep things organized.

If your computer is old, LXDE is the first choice, but if it still doesn’t run smoothly, switch to a super lightweight distribution like ICEWM or Fluxbox.

Of course, the most extreme option is not to have a desktop environment, if your computer is the server, then there is no need to install a desktop environment. Both Ubuntu Minimal and Debian Minimal are worth a try at this point.