Having two Desktop environments in one system, is it a good idea?

yorunoken · 2024-10-23 16:04:49

Hello, I'm currently using Hyprland. Will I come across any issues if I install MATE or KDE Plasma as a bonus? Sometimes I just want to take a break from Hyprland and use something simpler.

ewaller · 2024-10-23 16:25:21

Nope, you should be fine. I have Sway and Hyprland installed right now. I have until recently had Plasma installed as well.
The only other issues you might hit are GTK or Qt themes getting confused.

You can even switch to a different console and run them simultaneously. The only issue with that is sometimes notifications and/or polkit authorization popups don't always figure out which session in which to appear.

yorunoken · 2024-10-23 18:55:51

ewaller wrote:

Nope, you should be fine. I have Sway and Hyprland installed right now. I have until recently had Plasma installed as well.
The only other issues you might hit are GTK or Qt themes getting confused.
You can even switch to a different console and run them simultaneously. The only issue with that is sometimes notifications and/or polkit authorization popups don't always figure out which session in which to appear.

I see. Thank you! On another note, do you recommend MATE or KDE Plasma?

NA0341 · 2026-08-09 17:53:10

yorunoken wrote:

I see. Thank you! On another note, do you recommend MATE or KDE Plasma?

I'd definitely reccommend KDE Plasma.
Simply Because MATE seems to use far to many Resources for what Little Value it actually Provides to the User in Comparison.
I may be mistaken. Just tried a Manjaro MATE Minimal Install via https://distrosea.com and it looks quite Lean. And also quite Responsive and Rigid (afaict for a Remote-Connection).
Quite Similar to XFCE actually: https://thisvsthat.io/mate-vs-xfce

MATE = Simple Desktop based on GNOME 2
Plasma = Modern, actively developed Desktop Environment from the KDE Community

I recently tried Plasma again (I use GNOME since 5+ Years) and found that it's Global Search has a Ton More Features than GNOME does such as Unit & Currency Conversion, setting Timers, etc. pp.
Sadly Plasma isn't really an Option bc GNOME is just Optically Leaner, more Intuitive to control and Visually Smoother.
Plasma on the Other Hand is Loaded with a TON of Options ~ which I personally find very unneccessary and Overwhelming.
(GNOME on the Other Hand provides Little Room to Customize and instead employs Sensible Defaults so that Most Parts already Fit Perfectly. ~ Check out the Gallery I linked in my Next Post to see just How Good Perfectly can be! (only Some Screenshots there are from GNOME 3))

One Thing to Consider is that Full Desktop Environments can Cause a Lot of Damage if you Use Multiple.
So it's best if you have your OS on a Filesystem with Snapshots (such as btrfs) and create one Before Testing Things out.
Also see Here: https://askubuntu.com/a/885961

Last edited by NA0341 (2026-08-09 22:00:32)

topcat01 · 2026-08-09 18:51:08

I'd even recommend a VM. For example, I am a legacy UNIX user. I grew up on SGI IRIX (on O2 and Octane aka my "beloved") and occasionally Sun running CDE, long before I moved to Linux. I have VMS where I have Arch with cdesktopenv and Maxx desktop for that nostalgic feeling. I sometimes use these while presenting to amuse my colleagues who have never known anything except ai slop windows.

NA0341 · 2026-08-09 21:36:30

Wow that's quite something!
Well while VM's do have Great Uses ~ I try to Avoid Bloating my System with a VM Installation (especially Windows).

I like Things the KISS Way: Keep It Simple, Solid.
Having a Second DE or WM would mostly be for the purpose of maximising Free Resources i.e. to run LLM's or to relieve Stress on my Computer's Components.
Although, the second thing is probably NonSense since even my Manjaro GNOME Workstation with over 20 Extensions enabled is super chill idling at 0~3% CPU @800Mhz and 0% GPU on an Intel® Core™ i5-6300HQ × 4 and Intel® HD Graphics 530 (SKL GT2).

Here are some Impressions and a History of Workstation Setups I quickly gathered and Uploaded:
https://ibb.co/album/y4Rts1
Yes all hand-crafted
(Except the one with Subtube)

Last edited by NA0341 (2026-08-09 22:02:06)

topcat01 · 2026-08-09 22:26:45

Agreed, VMs take up some disk space. I suggested having one around for quick non-destructive testing, without even the need to reboot. Once stability is confirmed, it can be installed on the main system. In my case, Maxx desktop installs a whole lot of stuff which I don't want on my main system, so using a VM lets me keep playing with it.

NA0341 · 2026-08-09 22:32:40

Introducing the Power of btrfs Snapshots.
Make Snapshot ~ Have Fun ~ Roll Back ~ Delete
With Snapshots you can even Diverge into Multiple Directions by using Each Snapshot Volume to make Changes to it.

But I agree a VM still has benefits Snapshots can't provide. Such as using a different OS, etc.

Lone_Wolf · 2026-08-10 10:46:12

Please don't necro-bump

Moderator Note
Closing this thread.

Arch Linux

#1 2024-10-23 16:04:49

Having two Desktop environments in one system, is it a good idea?

#2 2024-10-23 16:25:21

Re: Having two Desktop environments in one system, is it a good idea?

#3 2024-10-23 18:55:51

Re: Having two Desktop environments in one system, is it a good idea?

#4 2026-08-09 17:53:10

Re: Having two Desktop environments in one system, is it a good idea?

#5 2026-08-09 18:51:08

Re: Having two Desktop environments in one system, is it a good idea?

#6 2026-08-09 21:36:30

Re: Having two Desktop environments in one system, is it a good idea?

#7 2026-08-09 22:26:45

Re: Having two Desktop environments in one system, is it a good idea?

#8 2026-08-09 22:32:40

Re: Having two Desktop environments in one system, is it a good idea?

#9 2026-08-10 10:46:12

Re: Having two Desktop environments in one system, is it a good idea?

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