Why is Unity so popular?
Why is Unity so popular?
I was planning to clear my drive and set up Windows, but I was frustrated by the limited intuitive features in Ubuntu's Unity. Today I tried KDE (previously used with Mandrake, Suse, and Redhat), and it felt much more seamless. It really feels like a Windows experience, which might explain why some prefer Unity—though it seems Windows is preferred for practical reasons. What do you think? Am I missing something valuable in Unity, or is it just being praised by those who dislike Windows?
I've never liked it. Gnome was the best choice until KDE stopped supporting Plasma. Since then, I've been using KDE's Plasma version.
I believe the impression you have is off; Unity isn't particularly popular and appears to be largely forgotten these days, even though Ubuntu has a strong presence in the Linux scene. Currently, some individuals who used Unity with Linux might feel nostalgic, but the broader community has generally rejected it. Personally, I found it acceptable but never preferred it over other options. While Windows may seem more straightforward for many users, it's often because people are accustomed to it after years of use and encountering unfamiliar alternatives. Plasma offers a flexible experience, similar to or different from Windows depending on your preferences. That's why I still suggest it if you're not ready to switch to a minimalist Linux setup. i3-gaps-next is where things stand, and there were discussions about integrating regular i3 features, which is really encouraging.
Ubuntu's Unity represents a significant advancement over NeXTStep, which was considered one of the most intuitive desktops available at the time. When Apple acquired NeXT, they enhanced its appearance and eventually shaped it into the Aqua interface seen in modern macOS. Unity, especially with its dock feature, closely mirrors today's macOS experience. Following Unity's discontinuation, alternatives like AfterStep and Window Maker have stepped in to meet similar needs.
I enjoyed Unity after a few updates. Then I began using Mint with XFCE.
He mentioned now you're using GNOME, which is well understood to run smoothly. It's great that the Ubuntu team released some substantial performance updates—I've personally tried them and they're improving things. Still, I'm avoiding the "Unity" experience. On my Ubuntu setups, the first step is usually installing the dashtodock extension and tweaking the panel. I don't prefer KDE for many reasons, but I must say it's a significant lighter option—about 500MB less RAM than GNOME or Windows.