As a long-time Gnome user, I never thought I’d find a desktop environment that would surpass its elegance and functionality. But, after switching to KDE Plasma, I’m blown away by its refinement and attention to detail.
If you’re a Gnome user looking for a change of pace, I highly recommend giving KDE a try. And, the best part? You can preview it without committing to a full installation using the CachyOS ISO with its live-boot option
My journey to KDE began with a simple curiosity about the desktop environment. I’d heard great things about its customization options and performance, but I was hesitant to leave the comfort of Gnome. That was until I booted up CachyOS and was immediately impressed by the smooth experience. The attention to detail in KDE’s design is staggering – every component, from the system settings to the individual panel elements, has been carefully crafted to provide the perfect balance of form and function.
A Laptop User’s Dream Come True
One of the standout features for laptop users is the built-in power management options. In KDE System Settings > Power Management > Advanced Power Settings, you’ll find an option to limit battery charging, eliminating the need for additional extensions or plugins. This feature and the fact that my studio monitors no longer “pop” when I boot the computer has made me want to switch to KDE as fast as I can.
The CachyOS team has done an incredible job of creating a snappy, Arch-based distribution that showcases KDE’s full potential. I was so impressed that I backed up my data and made the switch, and I’m thrilled to report that my must-have applications for web design work perfectly under KDE.
Finding New Favorites in KDE’s Native Applications
In addition to the excellent KDE applications, I’ve also installed:
- Thunderbird for email management
- Gimp for image editing
- Firefox for WordPress administration.
But, I’ve been blown away by the quality of KDE’s native applications, such as Spectacle for taking screenshots, KWrite, and Kate for text editing. With their minimal interface and the beautiful ayu Dark theme, I’ve found myself preferring these applications over their Gnome counterparts.
CachyOS is a lean operating system that doesn’t come with a lot of extraneous software, which I appreciate. The fish shell is a new addition to my workflow, but I’ve found it to be a welcome change from the Gnome Bash shell. Customizing the terminal to my liking was a breeze as I love dark wallpapers paired with a transparent terminal setup.
A Seamless Transition
One of the best things about making the switch to KDE is the seamless transition. I exported my Thunderbird emails, browser links and login passwords, and was able to get back to Thunderbird and Firefox in just a few minutes. If you’re considering making the switch, don’t worry. Make the necessary backups and you’ll be up and running in no time.
Now, I’m excited to learn more about KDE and explore its advanced features and customization options. If you’re a fellow KDE user, I’d love to hear about your favorite settings and tips. Share your expertise in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going!