I recently made the switch to Linux and have transitioned from Manjaro to Arch. I've set up my system and am now looking to choose a graphical user interface (GUI) or window manager (WM). Previously, I've used GNOME and dabbled with i3, Polybar, and Picom while on Manjaro. My main goal for switching to Arch was to optimize my PC's performance, but I also want a visually appealing interface without flashy animations. Any suggestions from the community on what DE or WM might fit my needs?
5 Answers
Have you thought about trying Cinnamon? It offers a clean interface that can be styled without the extra fluff, making it aesthetic without animations.
I suggest trying out KDE or XFCE. KDE tends to feel more like Windows, while XFCE is lightweight and has customization options to improve its appearance. If you're looking for something that's a bit macOS-like, GNOME might be good, although I’m not a huge fan of its feel.
KDE is a solid choice! It's quite customizable and can run smoothly without animations. You can tweak it to fit your aesthetic preferences while still maintaining good performance.
If you're really focused on performance, consider going with something lighter like Xfce, LXQt, or MATE. They might not look modern at first, but you can tweak them to enhance their appearance. If you want a decent middle ground, Cinnamon is also a good option with lots of customization.
You can actually disable animations in most desktop environments. I find KDE Plasma to be quite accessible and modular. Personally, I’ve stuck with GNOME since I’m used to it, but it might not be your style if you prefer a simpler look.
Okay, I'll try it out!