I ranked Desktop Environments on Arch

Summary

In this video, PR dives into installing and ranking various Arch Linux desktop environments, sharing personal experiences, humor, and candid opinions throughout. From lightweight options like Budgie, LXDE, and XFCE to feature-rich environments like KDE Plasma and Cinnamon, PR evaluates usability, aesthetics, and stability. Ventoy simplifies USB setup, while arch-install speeds up the process, though some DEs like QFish prove unstable and problematic. KDE Plasma earns top marks for customization and polish, while QFish lands in the trash tier. The video blends technical insight, nostalgic commentary, and entertaining reactions, providing a comprehensive, engaging guide for Linux enthusiasts exploring DEs on Arch Linux.

Takeaways

• 🎤 PR upgraded their microphone with a pop filter due to audience complaints.
• 💻 Ventoy was used to flash Arch Linux onto a USB instead of Rufus.
• 🖥️ The video focuses on ranking multiple Arch Linux desktop environments (DEs).
• 📶 Internet connection was established in the Arch Linux installer using IWCTL.
• 🛠️ Arch Install was used to simplify the installation process of multiple desktop environments.
• 🌿 Budgie was ranked B tier for being minimal and lightweight but not highly customizable.
• 🍎 Cinnamon was ranked B tier; minimal but more built-in features and customization than Budgie.
• ✨ KDE Plasma was ranked S tier for its high customizability, clean interface, and strong development support.
• 🐟 QFish was unstable and buggy, ultimately deemed 'trash tier' due to poor usability.
• 🐧 LXDE and LXQT were given B tier for being lightweight and suitable for older hardware, though somewhat dated.
• 🖼️ XFCE was ranked B tier; lightweight and moderately customizable, appealing to some users but not PR's personal favorite.
• ⚠️ Deepin could not be fully reviewed due to instability, but it appeared visually appealing and was suggested as A tier.
• 📝 Overall, the tier list reflects PR's personal preferences and experiences rather than absolute performance metrics.

Q & A

What was the first change PR made to his microphone?

PR added a pop filter to his microphone, which he repurposed from an old Turtle Beach headset, in response to viewers complaining about mic quality.

Which tool did PR use to flash Arch Linux onto a USB drive?

PR used Ventoy to flash Arch Linux onto a USB drive, instead of Rufus, as he mentioned viewers had complained about his previous choice.

Why did PR apologize regarding Stalo and Aalo?

PR apologized for mistakenly calling Stalo an anime girl, when Aalo is actually a male character.

Which desktop environment did PR rank highest and why?

PR ranked KDE Plasma highest, in S tier, because it is highly customizable, clean, visually appealing, and supported by a strong development team. He also appreciated its Flatpak app support.

Why was Deepin (Deepend) difficult to review?

Deepin could not be properly tested because Cute Fish DE broke the system, affecting KDE Plasma and preventing a full review. PR based its A-tier ranking on research and appearance.

What recurring issue did PR face with QFish?

QFish was extremely unstable, caused terminal display problems, and corrupted other desktop environments, ultimately being placed in the trash tier.

How did PR describe Budgie and its usability?

PR described Budgie as minimalistic and intentionally lightweight, providing basic functionality without bundled apps or much customization. He ranked it in C tier.

Which desktop environments did PR rank in B tier and why?

Cinnamon, LXDE, LXQt, and XFCE were ranked in B tier. Cinnamon was minimal but had better built-in features; LXDE and LXQt were lightweight and good for older hardware; XFCE was clean, somewhat modern, and customizable.

What hardware did PR use for testing the desktop environments?

PR used a Dell Inspiron 15 laptop, which he nicknamed 'PR top,' and booted Arch Linux from a USB drive using Ventoy. He noted the USB drive was slow at times.

Why did PR rely on the Gnome terminal during testing?

PR had to use the Gnome terminal because Cute Fish corrupted other terminal emulators, causing display and functionality issues. The Gnome terminal was the only one that worked reliably.

How did PR handle ranking desktop environments that were not fully functional?

PR gave approximate rankings based on appearance, research, or partial usability. For example, Deepin was ranked A tier despite not being fully tested, and QFish was placed in trash tier due to instability.

What approach did PR take to installing desktop environments?

PR used the archinstall script to simplify the installation, skipping manual disk partitioning and focusing on desktop environments rather than window managers.