Life's too short for dull desktops, and Xfce is so customizable that there's no excuse.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Xfce is a flexible and powerful desktop.
- If you’re looking for a distro to show it off, try one of these.
- Each of these OSs is free to install and use.
Xfce is one of the most configurable desktops on the market; it can be twisted into just about any look and feel you need or want. It’s also incredibly fast. But here’s the thing: so many Linux distributions that ship with Xfce opt to set a default look and feel that is simply boring.
Life’s too short for boring desktops, and Xfce is so customizable that there’s no excuse for boring.
But not every distribution is created equal. Some Linux distros understand that the best way to attract new users is to showcase the power and flexibility of the Xfce desktop. Instead of presenting Xfce as the same old yawn-inducing layout, they might offer something new, or at least a look that elevates the desktop.
I set out to find what I believe are the best takes on the Xfce desktop, and I present them here for you today.
1. MX Linux
MX Linux has been at or near the top of the DistroWatch list for a very long time. MX Linux is based on Debian’s “Stable” branch and is a cooperative venture between the antiX and former MEPIS Linux communities.
MX Linux takes the Xfce desktop and designs it to combine elegance, efficiency, and simplicity to create a highly stable, solid-performing, medium-sized operating system.
It succeeds.
More importantly, MX Linux shows how Xfce can break the shackles of normalcy and create something fresh. With a default layout that’s similar to Ubuntu, MX Linux doesn’t shy away from a non-standard desktop. You also get a nice Conky widget that adds a dash of modernity.
You also get all the stability of Debian, which means MX Linux is rock solid. Along with that stability comes the bevy of MX Tools that make managing every aspect of the OS a breeze. Those tools give you considerable power over the desktop and OS, with options for creating snapshots, installing packages, tweaking the desktop, repairing damaged boot loaders, enabling/disabling services, installing Nvidia drivers and codecs, verifying ISO image files, and customizing the MX theme colors.
MX Linux is fast, easy to use, and gives Xfce a kick in the aesthetic pants, all of which come together to make it one of the best Xfce-based distros on the market.
Who is MX Linux for?
MX Linux is for those who need a lightweight desktop, with the addition of the MX Toolkit, and don’t want the usual, boring layout.
2. Xubuntu
Xubuntu is the Ubuntu of Xfce. Xubuntu takes the Ubuntu distribution, shrugs off its standard desktop, and installs Xfce as the default. Xubuntu might not win any beauty contests, but it does make Xfce look a bit more modern than the default Xfce desktop.
What Xubuntu does is eschew the traditional bottom panel in favor of a top bar that contains everything you need to interact with the desktop (desktop menu, system tray, etc.). This makes for a very clean and minimal desktop — which I very much approve of.
You can always add that bottom panel or dock if you like, but the Xubuntu take on the desktop is quite nice.
Along with that unique Xfce layout, you get all the stability and user-friendliness of Ubuntu, which is a big bonus for those who are new to Linux.
Also: This modern take on Xfce is the perfect distro for audio fans.
Xubuntu ships with a few extras, such as Bulk Rename, Clipboard Manager Settings, Color Profiles, Catfish File Search, Firmware Updater, GDebi Package Installer, a font manager, LightDM GTK Greeter Settings, Menu Editor, and Sessions Editor. Not only do you get a unique Xfce layout, but you also get a collection of software that empowers you to take control of the desktop.
Who is Xubuntu for?
Xubuntu is for those with less-powerful hardware who want an Ubuntu-based system and a desktop that doesn’t look like it was designed in the late ’90s or early 2000s.
3. EndeavourOS
In general, EndeavourOS is a beautiful Linux distribution, regardless of which desktop you choose. The EndeavourOS Xfce desktop uses the same dark theme with purple accents in a fairly traditional layout, creating something that is equal parts old- and new-school.
This take on the Xfce desktop gives you a top panel and a bottom dock, while keeping it from looking like an amalgamation of CDE and KDE 1. Honestly, the EndeavourOS take on Xfce is one of the best-looking options you’ll find. And, yes, you can customize this desktop as much as you’d like.
You’ll find numerous default apps to put plenty of power in your hands, such as tools to easily configure your default applications, set up your firewall GUI, change color profiles, manage the session and startup, tweak the window manager, and more. You also get an app called YAD settings editor, which allows you to customize the GTK+ graphical dialog boxes from Linux shell scripts.
Who is EndeavourOS Xfce for?
This Xfce-based distribution is for anyone who wants a dandified Xfce desktop with all the software you need preinstalled, and a bit extra for the power users.
4. Tromjaro
Tromjaro is a trade-free Linux distribution, based on Manjaro, with the Xfce desktop. What does “trade-free” mean? I discussed this in I found a Linux distro with a ‘trade-free’ philosophy: “Essentially, you have an operating system (based on Manjaro) that collects no data and wants no fee. Sounds pretty much like Linux, right?”
Aside from the trade-free philosophy, Tromjaro is also a beautiful take on Xfce. Tromjaro’s Xfce layout is a combination of MX Linux and Xubuntu, with both a top panel and a left-side panel to create a layout that’s even closer to the Ubuntu desktop, and it’s quite effective. This take on Xfce is more modern than most others.
During installation, you also get the choice between installing open-source or proprietary GPU drivers; if you want to get the most out of your Nvidia GPU, go with the proprietary drivers.
Tromjaro also includes a nifty tool that lets you open the Start menu, type a command, press Enter, and the terminal window opens with that command ready to run. It’s a pretty efficient way to run commands.
Who is Tromjaro for?
Tromjaro is for those who want to ensure their OS sends zero telemetry, while enjoying a beautiful Xfce layout and a cool way to run Linux commands.
By Jack Wallen
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/tech/top-linux-distros-xfce-desktop/
