Certainly Plasma if you’re coming from Windows, unless we’re considering pre-customized GNOME variants like for example Ubuntu uses.
Sure, KDE can be more complex in terms of configuration and customizability, but the default configuration is already good for most users.
Beginners using vanilla GNOME will quickly miss features like a minimize button and certainly tray icons.
… and feel endless pain from whatever they did to the scrollbars. Seriously, wtf.
I would say it depends on the user. Some might feel more at home with KDE, because the layout is similar to Windows. Some might be coming from macOS, so they would be more at home with Pantheon. Some might choose GNOME, because…
Anyway, the answer is none of the above, it’s terminal only. Get good or get out. Using graphics is for quitters.
Vanilla gnome isn’t for me so I used to install some extensions when I used it.
After a few hopping, I stopped using Gnome, because I find that painful to :
- install the extension app (the one that allow you to download and manage the extensions, and that is usually not the one installed, it might have changed, as I stopped using Gnome for a year or even more)
- install the extensions I want
- configure the extensions
On KDE, I just have to set it as I need it.
If you do not change distributions everyday, then it’s not a big issue I guess.
But it might be troublesome for beginners trying distributions that have vanilla-close gnome to know that extensions exist. My needs are not complicated, so I only used extensions that allow me to have a dock on both of my screens, and to have the minimize button.
Yeah agreed 1000%.
I’ve installed Gnome for people in my fam. It’s kind of absurd when they want to change the text size and we have to get into installing Gnome Tweaks, installing browser extension, installing the Gnome extension, configuring the extension.
I just use Plasma now.
GNOME is more different from Windows, which means that users will have to put more effort in to get used to the UI, but it doesn’t have as many complicated settings or customizability for EVERYTHING that Plasma does, so it can be less confusing in that sense. I switched to primarily using Plasma a couple years ago and I’m probably with Plasma to stay, but personally I think GNOME might be better for Linux beginners. Though if you really want a beginner-friendly DE, go for Cinnamon.
A question with no right answer, because it is a matter of taste and habits.
Both are very much sophisticated desktop environments which very useful defaults. Neither Gnome nor Plasma are too complicated for beginners and can be customized easily. If you want to you can go very deep into the customization too.
I started with gnome then moved to plasma, that’s probably a good way for beginners to go
I only gave GNOME a try… so by default I would say KDE Plasma?
Gnome is probably a good choice if you like MacOS’ ecosystem and design (maybe also those having touch screens??). But personally I totally hated it… Can’t even right click and create a folder/document by default… uggh gives me MacOS PTSD…
KDE plasma is more fitted for those looking for a “Windows” feeling and greater customization.
My personal preference RN is XFCE on EndeavourOS ! Great design, simplicity, elegant, great defaults OOTB…
I found KDE plasma a bit glitchy and kinda heavy. Maybe that’s because of the machine power though
I love and use GNOME daily because of its workflow, I just wish there were options to reduce the padding of elements.
