Search
  • Videos
  • Windows 10
  • 5G
  • Best VPNs
  • Cloud
  • Security
  • AI
  • more
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • Windows 10
    • 5G
    • Best VPNs
    • Cloud
    • Security
    • AI
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

Six Clicks: 2014's top Linux desktops

1 of 7 NEXT PREV
  • Chromebook Pixel

    Chromebook Pixel

    Featured

    • Returning to the 2021 office is anything but normal
    • Hacker leaks data of 2.28 million dating site users
    • ServiceNow launches COVID-19 vaccine management software
    • The best network-attached storage devices

    For years, we've talked about the Linux desktop becoming important. Now, it finally is. But thanks to Chromebooks and Android PCs, it's not the Linux desktop we expected. Instead of desktop distributions from smaller groups such as Arch or Mint, or companies such as Canonical, we're seeing Chrome OS and Android, thanks to Google and top vendors such as Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo -- who are robbing market share from the moribund Windows PC industry.

    In 2014, I see us moving to a new world of Linux desktops: Cloud-based Linux distributions, such as Chrome OS and Peppermint ; mobile-Linux distros, such as Android and Ubuntu Touch ; and "traditional" fat-client Linux desktops such as Fedora and openSUSE with their newest relative: The SteamOS based gaming Linux .

    So, while the Chromebook Pixel, the Rolls-Royce of Chromebooks, pictured above may not be selling in huge numbers, inexpensive Chromebooks are selling well .

    Published: February 14, 2014 -- 20:06 GMT (12:06 PST)

    Caption by: Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

  • Chrome OS

    Chrome OS

    Google argues that all you really need for a 21st century desktop is a Web browser, software-as-a-service (SaaS) for programs, infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) for storage, and just enough Linux to make it go. Put it all together and what you get is Chrome OS. Considering the flood of Chromebooks from every major PC vendor, Google seems to be on to something.

    Under the hood, Chrome OS is built on Gentoo Linux . Only the most sharp-eyed users would ever know it. For Chrome OS users -- and there are millions of them now -- it's all about the Chrome Web browser and cloud services.

    Published: February 14, 2014 -- 20:06 GMT (12:06 PST)

    Caption by: Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

  • Android Desktop

    Android Desktop

    Today, we think of Android as the number one smartphone and tablet operating system. Four big-name companies think Android can be much more. Indeed, they think Android can be a top desktop operating system . Those companies include Lenovo and HP, the world's number one and number two PC manufacturers, respectively. The other two companies? They're AMD and Intel . Heck, even Microsoft seems to be thinking about adding Android to Windows devices !

    2014: The year of the Android desktop!? It could happen!

    Published: February 14, 2014 -- 20:06 GMT (12:06 PST)

    Caption by: Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

  • Fedora 20 with GNOME

    Fedora 20 with GNOME

    For programmers, the number one desktop Linux remains Red Hat's community Linux distribution, Fedora . While I'm still no fan of its default GNOME interface, GNOME has slowly gained back many of its former supporters with each minor release that often includes big improvements.

    Published: February 14, 2014 -- 20:06 GMT (12:06 PST)

    Caption by: Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

  • openSUSE 13.1 with KDE

    openSUSE 13.1 with KDE

    OpenSUSE with KDE is a rock-solid Linux with a great interface.  While I had trouble with KDE 4.x at first, I've gotten to like this desktop over the years. The latest version works well for me.

    Published: February 14, 2014 -- 20:06 GMT (12:06 PST)

    Caption by: Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

  • SteamOS

    SteamOS

    For almost Linux's entire 20-plus year history, people have complained about the open source operating system not having enough games. That was then. This is now.

    Today, thanks to Valve's  SteamOS , a Debian-based Linux targeted primarily for games and entertainment, we have the first PC operating system that's designed to be both a gaming and workspace operating system.

    While most users will only see Steam-based games, worker-bees can also use its GNOME interface for their jobs.

    Published: February 14, 2014 -- 20:06 GMT (12:06 PST)

    Caption by: Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

  • Linux Mint with Cinnamon

    Linux Mint with Cinnamon

    VR and AR

    • Best VR and AR headsets in 2021: Oculus Quest 2, HTC Vive Cosmos Elite, and more
    • For pros and consumers, VR makes price-performance leaps
    • Facebook previews smart glasses and the future of work in VR
    • HoloLens 2 review: Demoing Microsoft's AR headset (ZDNet YouTube)
    • Virtual reality: A cheat sheet for business pros (TechRepublic)

    Personally, Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop is my favorite Linux desktop. Cinnamon takes the best features of the older GNOME 2.x, adds in some goodness from other interfaces, and the result is the best old-school Windows, Icons, Menu, and Pointer (WIMP) desktop out there on any currently shipping operating system.

    When people tell me they have to finally move off Windows XP or 7, and they're ready to give Linux a try -- and if they're ready for something new and different, I suggest they try Ubuntu with its Unity interface. But, if they want a desktop that feels a lot like XP's desktop, I'll point them to Mint and Cinnamon every time.

    Published: February 14, 2014 -- 20:06 GMT (12:06 PST)

    Caption by: Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

1 of 7 NEXT PREV
Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

By Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols for Linux and Open Source | February 14, 2014 -- 20:06 GMT (12:06 PST) | Topic: Enterprise Software

  • Chromebook Pixel
  • Chrome OS
  • Android Desktop
  • Fedora 20 with GNOME
  • openSUSE 13.1 with KDE
  • SteamOS
  • Linux Mint with Cinnamon

After years of talk about the Linux desktop becoming important, it finally is. But thanks to Chromebooks and Android PCs, it's not the Linux desktop we expected.

Read More Read Less

Chromebook Pixel

Featured

  • Returning to the 2021 office is anything but normal
  • Hacker leaks data of 2.28 million dating site users
  • ServiceNow launches COVID-19 vaccine management software
  • The best network-attached storage devices

For years, we've talked about the Linux desktop becoming important. Now, it finally is. But thanks to Chromebooks and Android PCs, it's not the Linux desktop we expected. Instead of desktop distributions from smaller groups such as Arch or Mint, or companies such as Canonical, we're seeing Chrome OS and Android, thanks to Google and top vendors such as Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo -- who are robbing market share from the moribund Windows PC industry.

In 2014, I see us moving to a new world of Linux desktops: Cloud-based Linux distributions, such as Chrome OS and Peppermint ; mobile-Linux distros, such as Android and Ubuntu Touch ; and "traditional" fat-client Linux desktops such as Fedora and openSUSE with their newest relative: The SteamOS based gaming Linux .

So, while the Chromebook Pixel, the Rolls-Royce of Chromebooks, pictured above may not be selling in huge numbers, inexpensive Chromebooks are selling well .

Published: February 14, 2014 -- 20:06 GMT (12:06 PST)

Caption by: Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

1 of 7 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Enterprise Software Google Cloud Big Data Analytics Innovation Tech and Work
Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

By Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols for Linux and Open Source | February 14, 2014 -- 20:06 GMT (12:06 PST) | Topic: Enterprise Software

Show Comments
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • Linux turns 29: The biggest events in its history so far

    A year by year summary of the most significant events in Linux's history to date.

  • Parallels Toolbox 4 for Windows and Mac

    New features include Break Time, Unit Convertor, and Enhanced Search.

  • How to perform a clean install of Windows 10: Here's a step-by-step checklist

    A clean install is the perfect way to get a fresh start with a Windows PC. Use this checklist to make sure you take care of the small details that make a big difference in productivity ...

  • Linux survival guide: These 21 applications let you move easily between Linux and Windows

    If you need to navigate regularly between Linux and the Windows world, there are many applications that can make your job easier. We spotlight 21 quality applications that will pave ...

  • 2019's tech, security, and authentication trends

    We take a look at the top tech, cybersecurity, and authentication trends as revealed today by the Duo Security's 2019 Trusted Access Report, which includes data from 24 million devices, ...

  • Awesome Google Chrome extensions (May 2019 edition)

    Get more done in Google Chrome, with this selection of hand-picked extensions from the Chrome Web Store. These free extensions allow you to do a variety of things, from taking screenshots ...

  • Give Google Chrome a speed boost

    Here are a handful of tricks to help you speed up your browser and make it use up fewer precious system resources. (Updated April 2019)

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2021 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Policy | Cookie Settings | Advertise | Terms of Use

  • Topics
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • All Authors
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In
  • Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums