No, you need to install Kubuntu first and then set it as your default desktop environment.
No, you need to install Kubuntu first and then set it as your default desktop environment.
Many users have expressed concerns about KDE not working well with Gnome, while Ubuntu has faced stability issues. Would you consider Kubuntu as an alternative?
Other choices include KDE Plasma, Kubuntu, and Manjaro KDE. Plasma performs well across most platforms, and the standard settings appear satisfactory.
I've been using KDE for years, occasionally during big updates there are some issues, but these have gotten fewer over time now. My most recent major upgrade was very smooth; installing packages and restarting the GUI all worked perfectly. (Baloo can sometimes run off, but a killall on logout keeps things in check.) By the way, if I have guests who know how to use their devices well, they can manage most tasks on my machine with minimal help, making the transition much faster than others.
You could always run a virtual machine to test them without installing from the beginning each time.
KDE stands out as the most refined and thoughtfully crafted modern desktop environment. When you look at memory consumption, it matches GNOME's around 1.1GB, similar to Windows. I've noticed GNOME tends to run sluggish compared to KDE since version 3.0, but it excels in gaming performance and fullscreen support, with the compositor always turned off for consistent speed. It seems most compatible with all applications.
My Kubuntu installation, on the other hand, takes up about 480MB at startup. Its file manager is highly regarded, and its design feels unified. It handles high refresh rates smoothly, avoids lag, and offers many features like KDE Connect, Telegram support, and comprehensive music player integration. The desktop lock screen works well, though it can be a bit complex for new users. Wayland support is decent but not as polished as GNOME or KDE.
Display transitions feel less refined, and unsupported games sometimes cause performance issues without proper compositor handling. Night shift is available, but the transition quality isn't as smooth as in GNOME with GDM. Overall, Neon might offer better stability because it's built directly by KDE developers, which could lead to quicker updates and fewer bugs compared to the Ubuntu version.