If you’re looking to change up your Ubuntu installation and find what works best for you, this post will list the top 15 desktop environments and shells for Ubuntu (and a majority of other Debian distros) and their features.
This is the default shell installed on Ubuntu.
Features:
It is available in both 2D and 3D (3D runs on Compiz). Both versions work similarly; the only difference is a few minor appearance tweaks. It features a launcher on the left for currently running applications and pinned programs, a dashboard of installed applications and files, workspaces, and a global menu.
System Requirements:
Unity 3D requires a 3D graphics card and hardware acceleration. Even if your machine can’t run 3D, it should be able to run 2D.
Installation:
Ubuntu is pre-installed on Ubuntu 11.04 and later. You can switch between the 2D and 3D versions on the log in screen.
GNOME is the official shell of GNOME 3.
Features:
GNOME uses Mutter instead of Compiz as its window manager. Windows, by default, cannot be minimized as workspaces are more highly encouraged.
System Requirements:
GNOME requires hardware acceleration and is aimed to run on machines at most five years old.
Installation:
GNOME is available on Ubuntu 11.10 from official repos. In the terminal, type sudo apt-get install gnome-shell.
XFCE is widely used in distros such as Crunchbang because it is very lightweight.
Features:
XFCE is extremely lightweight and aims to use few system resources. Even so, it is still boasts nice aesthetics and is easy to use.
System Requirements:
Minimal requirements are necessary. I have run XFCE on Crunchbang smoothly and quickly on a machine with 512 MB of RAM.
Installation:
Ubuntu features its own version of XFCE called Xubuntu. You can install it by typing the following in the terminal: sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop.
LXDE is another lightweight desktop environment.
Features:
It focuses on high performance and low resource usage, while retaining aesthetics.
System Requirements:
Minimal hardware requirements.
Installation:
LXDE is the default desktop environment used in Lubuntu.
KDE is perhaps the second most popular desktop environment, second to GNOME.
Features:
KDE is known for its ease of customizability.It features a tradition taskbar and widgets on the desktop.
System Requirements:
KDE requires a more robust system, much like one which would be used to run Unity 3D.
Installation:
KDE is the default desktop environment of Kubuntu. Additionally, you can activate KDE in a normal installation of Ubuntu by looking for kubuntu-desktop in the Software Center.
GNOME Panel is the classic look of Ubuntu.
Features:
GNOME Panel features a taskbar/panel at the top of the screen, where custom buttons and applets can be placed as a launchpad.
System Requirements:
GNOME Panel can be run on any average hardware; requirements are lower than those to run Unity 3D.
Installation:
If you’re on a version that doesn’t have GNOME Panel installed, you can follow these instructions on AskUbuntu.
Pantheon is a desktop shell for use in elementary OS Luna and later and still in development.
Features:
Its top panel (called the WingPanel) is a mix between GNOME 2 and GNOME Shell. It features an application launcher and a new version of Docky, called Plank.
System Requirements:
Pantheon is designed to be lightweight and customizable.
Installation:
To install Pantheon, open the terminal and type the following commands, one line at a time with an between each line: bzr branch lp:elementaryos. Then log out and, upon logging in again, choose the new DE.
cd elementaryos
sudo conf.sh --configure-installed
If that does not work, please see additional instructions on AskUbuntu.
Cinnamon is a GNOME Shell desktop fork aimed at being more simple and traditional.
Features:
Its top panel (called the WingPanel) is a mix between GNOME 2 and GNOME Shell. It features an application launcher and a new version of Docky, called Plank.
System Requirements:
Requirements for running Cinnamon are roughly the same as for Unity 3D and other “heavier” DEs. It requires a 3D graphics card.
Installation:
To install Cinnamon, open the terminal and type the following commands, one line at a time with an between each line: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gwendal-lebihan-dev/cinnamon-stable. Then log out and, upon logging in again, choose the new DE.
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install cinnamon
Mythbuntu is based on XFCE but geared more towards media PCs.
Features:
Its top panel (called the WingPanel) is a mix between GNOME 2 and GNOME Shell. It features an application launcher and a new version of Docky, called Plank.
System Requirements:
Minimum system requirements are 512 MG of RAM; however, 2GB of RAM is recommended. For a full list of requirements, please visit the Mythbuntu site.
Installation:
To install Mythbuntu, open the terminal and type sudo apt-get install mythbuntu-desktop or search for mythbuntu-desktop in the Software Center.
Awesome is a desktop environment that acts like a windows manager.
Features:
It comes with a top panel that holds applets and running programs. It is a tiling window manager, so it automatically arranges windows without overlaps, while still filling up the screen. Tiling actions can be customized.
System Requirements:
Awesome is intended to be very lightweight; sources have reported it running on machines with 128 MB of RAM!
Installation:
To install Mythbuntu, open the terminal and type sudo apt-get install awesome.
Source: AskUbuntu
Dr Boxxy says:
October 19, 2012 at 8:36 am /
I’ve read it alleged cinnamon uses less ram than mate. 3d required? does it use more or less cpu? gpu?
dziwny says:
January 2, 2013 at 6:53 am /
Thanks, I will try pantheon