New Laptop, KDE or Gnome

[Naegling23]

My christmas present to my wife and I this year is a shiny new system76 laptop. Its going to come loaded with ubuntu and the gnome interface. I've been a KDE user since I started using linux, and am much more familiar with it. In the past, I have tried gnome, but I just have not liked the experience as much as KDE (although, it might be familiarity). A few of my absolutely favorite applications are KDE based, ie, amarok, digikam, and I would be worried how they would look/interact in the gnome environment. All signs seem to point to running kde instead of gnome. However, Im aware that ubuntu development is much closer tied to the gnome interface, and it appears to be a smoother, more seemless experience.

So, what does everyone think, install KDE, or stick with gnome?

(btw, having both is not an option, I run a tight ship on my systems, so duplicate programs is not something I am fond of...but I do run gnome apps on kde if they are better).

[Zorael]

If you do go KDE, I'd suggest you try the 4.2 beta 2. Lots have happened since the 4.1.3 version available from the official repositories. See http://www.kubuntu.org/news/kde-4.2-beta-2.

While Kubuntu is certainly the redheaded stepchild in the equation, KDE does get considerable developer attention, just not necessarily from the same crew focusing on Ubuntu. KDE 4 is shaping up nicely. Then again, I'm biased.

If you do go KDE, and you get video garbage when it draws objects, consider installing a modified version of X to work around that. See http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=170462 and https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xorg-server/+bug/254468. It's easy enough to compile packages on your own (instructions available at that bugs.kde.org link), and if that sounds complicated, you could use the ones I put up on my ppa. See https://launchpad.net/~zorael/+archive. It'll offer it as an upgrade and you needn't worry about it after that. Consequent official X upgrades will overwrite mine.

[s3gfault]

i like kde better.

[Wisp558]

I say GNOME if you aren't going with someone who doesn't need/want a huge amount of eyecandy. I've found it runs faster and is easier to configure in my experience. Then again, I haven't tried KDE 4.2b2...

[SuperSonic4]

Go for KDE if you have the specs for it. KDE 4.2 beta is beautiful and as you mentioned it has killer apps like Amarok and digikam although I am disappointed with dolphin compared to d3lphin but konsole integration is a life saver

[pixkid]

I've found that Gnome tends to be lighter but you might want to stick to what you are accustomed to.

[Naegling23]

well, so far ive kept gnome. It seems to run a little more seamless, and doesnt have as many issues as kde, but I realize that a large part of that is that 4.1 is not quite ready, and it is not as well integrated. Ill keep kde on my desktop and continue to play around. As for now, picassa is replacing digikam, and songbird is filling amaroks void nicely.

[TVTrukChik]

Amarok and digikam should run OK under gnome... at least, they do for me.

[Captain_tux]

On a professional level, I prefer KDE. On the home front, I use Gnome.