Hey there, folks! I’m about to do my first Linux install and I’m trying to figure out which DE I wanna use. I’m not concerned about how analogous the DE is to any other OS because I’m willing to learn and develop a new workflow. From a performance and overall compatibility perspective, does either GNOME or KDE outshine over the other for this? This is specifically considering the latest non-beta/stable versions of each. Does the Anaconda installer work in the KDE spin of Fedora, or is the install process different altogether? I know Fedora’s default is GNOME, does this make for any less stability with KDE?
Edit: I appreciate all of your comments, thank you for taking the time to write them! Initially I was really interested in GNOME for its minimalist design, but it seems KDE can be altered for a similar form without needing to rely much on third party pieces because of how much is already built into it. Although I’m certain the GNOME DE is a really nice one, I think I’m gonna give it a go with KDE simply because it has three customizability already out-of-the-box and it seems to be slightly lighter weight. Of course, there’s no reason to ever settle and it’s likely I’ll try GNOME at some point instead. Thank you! :)
Both are great options, but KDE/plasma 6 is my pick.
KDE with version 6 is where it’s at. at least for me. youncan use the default or put hours into customizing. gnome is nice, too but bothers me because i want to minimize, maximize and control things like the volume without barriers. but that is personal preference. choose what you Like. if you arent happy or just curious you can always Switch
I gotta say, i love how these comments are civil. Linux often seems to devolve into turf wars. Just made me happy
Both KDE and Gnome are stable. Anaconda works the same way for both of them, because that stuff doesn’t have anything to do with the DE.
It really depends on your preferences. KDE is easily customizaple and has a lot of features and UX improvements. But it can clutter quite easily: these options can be overwhelming.
GNOME follows a very strict workflou design that’s more similar to how phones work and helps an ADHD brain, like me to focus more. You can customize it, but you’ll do so at your own risk.
Best to try out both in a live system and do some things that emulate your day-to-day workflow. Then you can decide. And you can always change afterwards! If you have a separate home-partition, reinstalling a new DE/Distro is super trivial.
i always found gnome somehow irritating to use, like the tray area popping up all of the system controls when i just want to change the sound device. or little stuff like trying to paste a file into a folder that is too full to scroll past the bottom. i can’t r-click to the background, can’t adjust the columns to get empty space on the side. i need to use the menu. or pause fiddling with my noodle and ctrl+v…
Both are pretty great on Fedora, although Fedora gives Gnome just a tiny bit more attention, and even specifically align Fedora’s release schedule with Gnome’s.
Gnome will likely be a bit more stable, consistent in UX, and have a workflow that’s very different but pretty amazing when it “clicks”. Gnome has a pretty great Adwaita app ecosystem that matches the system theme very well. Features can take a little while to come to Gnome, because the devs are pretty anal about getting things implemented perfectly before they’re added.
Plasma is more powerful and customisable, most parts of the system, and apps in the KDE app ecosystem, have a load of options you could spend hours going through and customising to your heart’s content. Plasma out of the box pretty much operates like you’d expect a Windows PC to work (sans the enshittification of course lol) . Plasma adds features rapidly, and just works out the kinks while in production, so-to-speak.
Both of them are great, albeit very different, which keeps the Linux desktop interesting and varied IMO. I’d try both for a day or two and then make your choice, because it’s highly subjective.
