A desktop environment is an implementation of an abstraction of a real desktop from our lives, making it easier for us to use the computer with some specific set of tools. And all of these components can be linked together according to a specific user interface or design. The design determines how successful your experience of using these components will be. In addition, it also affects the functionality, flexibility, extensibility and adaptability of the desktop.
Why choose a desktop environment at all?
The type of desktop environment used is often a decisive argument when choosing a distribution, as it determines the look and feel of the system, the experience of using it and the possible range of user options and settings. I often compare choosing a desktop environment to choosing the interior of a new car. The interface of a car’s dashboard and the layout of controls inside its cabin can vary greatly depending on the make and model of the car.
And as we know, car drivers often choose a particular vehicle based on how it looks. If a car buyer does not like the interior and the experience of driving, they will make a different choice. The technical specifications of the car may be less important than how you feel behind the wheel. It is the same with Linux distributions: all the advantages of the distribution you have chosen will be overshadowed by the fact that you won’t feel comfortable using it because of the uncomfortable desktop environment.
How to choose the best desktop environment?
You already know that Linux comes in many different versions called distributions. Each distribution has a choice of one or more desktop environments. For example, Linux Mint distributions are available with desktop environments such as Cinnamon, MATE or Xfce. In a previous lesson, we tried to figure out how to choose the best Linux distribution. We came to the conclusion that it is impossible to pick one universal distribution that would be equally suitable for all occasions and all users, because each distribution has its own advantages and disadvantages. This is exactly the same situation with desktop environments.
Due to the fact that Linux is a very flexible system, we can simply install a different (non-default) desktop environment in the Linux distribution we choose. We can even have several desktop environments and switch to the one we want when we log in.
So which Linux desktop environment is best for you? First, it depends on your needs, your preferences, and the performance of your hardware.
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