Linux Mint Desktop Environments: Cinnamon, MATE or XFCE?

I’ve spent a lot of time (too much) trying out different distros over the years and Linux Mint is one of the most user-friendly and versatile options I’ve come across. If you have difficulty choosing between the three main flavors, here’s a handy guide to the options: Cinnamon, MATE, and XFCE.

What Are Desktop Environments?

A desktop environment is a collection of software components that work together to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) for an operating system. It typically includes a user interface with window management, a system settings app for configuring various aspects of the system, file management, and a set of default applications.

Linux Mint’s Three Main Desktop Environments

Linux Mint offers three primary desktop environments: Cinnamon, MATE, and XFCE. Each of these environments has its own unique strengths and target audience. A brief look at each before diving into the details:

1. Cinnamon: The flagship desktop environment of Linux Mint, developed in-house by the Mint team. It offers a modern and feature-rich experience with a traditional desktop layout.
2. MATE: A fork of the classic GNOME 2 desktop environment, providing a familiar and lightweight experience.
3. XFCE: A lightweight and highly customizable desktop environment known for its speed and efficiency, particularly on older or less powerful hardware.

Cinnamon: The Flagship Desktop Environment

Cinnamon is the crown jewel of Linux Mint, developed and maintained by the Mint team. Key features of Cinnamon include:

• Traditional Layout: A bottom panel with a start menu, task switcher, and system tray.
• Customizable Applets: Small programs that can be added to the panel for additional functionality.
• Desklets: Widget-like applications that can be placed on the desktop.
• Nemo File Manager: A powerful and user-friendly file browser.
• Robust System Settings: A comprehensive control center for system configuration.

Cinnamon’s strength lies in its balance between functionality and ease of use. It offers a wealth of customization options without overwhelming the user. It feels snappy and responsive on decent hardware, making it an excellent choice for users who want a full-featured experience without sacrificing performance.

One aspect of Cinnamon that I particularly appreciate is its attention to detail in terms of visual consistency. The theme engine allows for a cohesive look across applications, and the built-in themes are both attractive and functional. This level of polish contributes to a premium feel that rivals proprietary operating systems.

MATE: A Classic Desktop Experience

MATE (pronounced mah-tay) is a desktop environment that harkens back to the days of GNOME 2. If you prefer a more traditional experience or those coming from older versions of Windows, MATE offers a familiar environment.

Some notable features of MATE include:

• Classic Two-Panel Layout: A top panel for menus and system indicators, and a bottom panel for window management.
• Caja File Manager: A fork of Nautilus, providing a straightforward file browsing experience.
• MATE Tweak: A tool for easy customization of the desktop layout and behavior.
• Lightweight Design: Efficient resource usage, making it suitable for older hardware.
• Compatibility: Good support for older applications and libraries.

What I find particularly appealing about MATE is its no-nonsense approach to desktop computing. It provides the essential features without unnecessary bloat or complexity. In short, it’s a good choice for users who prioritize stability and efficiency over cutting-edge features.

XFCE: Lightweight and Customizable

XFCE holds a special place in the Linux ecosystem as a lightweight yet highly customizable environment. It’s the go-to choice for breathing new life into older hardware or for users who prefer a minimalist approach.

Key characteristics:

• Modular Design: Components can be easily added, removed, or replaced.
• Low Resource Usage: Excellent performance on older or low-powered hardware.
• High Customizability: Extensive options for tweaking the look and feel of the desktop.
• Thunar File Manager: A lightweight and fast file browser.
• Panel Plugins: A wide range of add-ons for extending panel functionality.

What I find most impressive about XFCE is its ability to scale from a bare-bones, lightning-fast environment to a more feature-rich desktop that can rival its heavier counterparts. It’s a lean desktop environment that can be molded to fit your exact needs. For power users and tinkerers, XFCE provides a playground of possibilities.

Resource Usage: Cinnamon vs MATE vs XFCE

When it comes to resource usage, there are notable differences between Cinnamon, MATE, and XFCE. Here’s a very general and simplified comparison:

Note that these figures will vary greatly depending on the specific configuration and installed applications. However, it’s a general idea of the base resource requirements for each desktop environment.

Cinnamon tends to be the most resource-intensive, which is expected given its feature set and modern design. It performs best on more recent systems with 4 GB of RAM as a bare minimum.

MATE strikes a good balance between features and resource usage. It runs smoothly on somewhat older systems and will work on a wide range of hardware configurations.

XFCE is the lightweight champion, capable of running smoothly on systems with as little as 1GB of RAM. It’s an excellent choice for older computers or for maximizing performance on newer hardware.

User Interface and Customization Options

One of the fun parts of using Linux in general is the ability to tailor the desktop environment to your liking. Each of the three main desktop environments offers different levels of customization:

Cinnamon

Faded Dream theme by aaron-dev-git (Cinnamon Spices)

• Themes: A wide range of built-in and downloadable themes for window decorations, icons, and controls.
• Applets: Easily add, remove, or rearrange panel applets for additional functionality.
• Desklets: Place widget-like applications on the desktop for quick access to information or tools.
• Hot Corners: Configure screen corners to trigger specific actions when the mouse pointer is moved to them.
• Extensions: Install additional features and modifications to enhance the desktop experience.

MATE

Screenshot from Mate-Desktop.org

MATE offers a good balance of customization options while maintaining simplicity.

• Panel Layouts: Choose from traditional, contemporary, or custom panel configurations.
• MATE Tweak: A powerful tool for adjusting various aspects of the desktop, including window behavior and panel settings.
• Themes: Support for GTK2 and GTK3 themes, allowing for a wide range of visual styles.
• Compiz Integration: Optional 3D desktop effects for users who want more visual flair.

XFCE

XFCE theme from Reddit

Key customization features of XFCE include:

• Panel Customization: Extensive options for creating, modifying, and arranging panels.
• Window Manager Tweaks: Detailed control over window behavior, including focus, placement, and compositing.
• Theme Engine: Support for GTK themes and the ability to create custom themes.
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Comprehensive options for creating and modifying keyboard shortcuts.
• Session Management: Fine-grained control over startup applications and session behavior.

Which Desktop Environment is Right for You?

Choosing the right desktop environment is a personal decision that depends on your needs, preferences, and hardware capabilities. Based on my experience, here are some recommendations to help you decide:

Choose Cinnamon if:

• You have modern hardware.
• You prefer a modern, feature-rich desktop experience.
• You want a balance between aesthetics and functionality.
• You’re coming from Windows and want a familiar yet modern interface.

Choose MATE if:

• You have mid-range hardware or better.
• You prefer a traditional desktop layout.
• You want a good balance between performance and features.
• You’re looking for a stable and reliable experience.

Choose XFCE if:

• You have older or low-powered hardware.
• You prioritize performance and low resource usage.
• You enjoy customizing every aspect of your desktop.
• You prefer a minimalist approach.

How to Switch Between Desktop Environments in Mint

Here’s how you can switch between Cinnamon, MATE, and XFCE.

1. Install the desired desktop environment: Open the terminal and run the following commands:For Cinnamon:

   sudo apt install mint-meta-cinnamon
   

   For MATE:

   sudo apt install mint-meta-mate
   

   For XFCE:

   sudo apt install mint-meta-xfce
   

2. Log out of your current session.
3. On the login screen, click on the session menu (usually represented by a gear icon).
4. Select the desktop environment you want to use from the list.
5. Log in with your username and password.

Note that switching desktop environments may result in some duplicate applications, as each environment comes with its own set of default programs. You can remove unwanted applications later to keep your system clean.