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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- I’ve tested Ubuntu and Fedora 44 for an extended period.
- Both use the GNOME DE, but one adds several customizations.
- Both distributions are free to use and suited for nearly any user.
If you’ve ever thought about dipping your toes into the Linux waters, or you’re thinking about hopping from one distribution to another, you’ve most likely heard of both Ubuntu and Fedora. These two distributions are heavy hitters in the world of Linux and have enjoyed great success for a long time.
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However, these two takes on Linux are quite different in several ways, so much so that choosing one or another could make a big difference in how you view Linux.
Let’s take a look at both of these Linux distributions and see which one might be best suited for you.
What is Ubuntu 26.04?
Ubuntu 26.04 (aka Resolute Raccoon) is the latest release of the long-standing distribution based on Debian and using a customized version of the GNOME desktop environment. One of the first things you should know about this latest version is that it’s a Long-Term Support (LTS) release, which means it is supported until April 2031.
With this distribution, you’ll get security and critical bug fixes for five years. You can extend that support window to ten years with a Ubuntu Pro subscription, but five years is a long time for operating system support.
Beyond support, let’s talk about what’s really important here: usability. Given that Ubuntu tends to be high on the list of distributions best suited for new users, what is it that makes that so?
It begins (as it should) with the desktop.
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As I mentioned, Ubuntu uses a customized version of the GNOME desktop environment. What I find important about Ubuntu’s take is consistency. The Ubuntu of today looks very much like the Ubuntu of ten years ago. What that does is keep things familiar.
Back in 2017, Canonical decided to drop the Unity desktop it had developed in-house. When they did that, they made the smart decision to craft the GNOME desktop to look and feel very much like Unity. That consistency keeps users coming back.
However, the one issue many complain about with the Ubuntu desktop is that, although it might be familiar to those who’ve used Ubuntu before, it’s quite different if you’re coming from either Windows or MacOS. Instead of a bottom horizontal panel, you get a left side vertical panel. The good news is that you can move that panel from within Settings > Ubuntu Desktop > Position On Screen.
Moving the Ubuntu panel is easy.
Jack Wallen\ZDNET
You can even switch the panel to a dock with the flip of a switch, so the UI is more like MacOS. Thanks to this flexibility, it doesn’t matter if you’re coming from Windows or MacOS, you’ll feel right at home.
What Ubuntu 26.04 delivers to the user
It really all boils down to three things:
- Usability
- Reliability
- Cost-effectiveness
Ubuntu 26.04 does a pretty solid job on all three accounts. Thanks to the desktop’s flexibility, it’s user-friendly for all types. Because it’s based on Debian, you know it’s rock solid. Finally, it’s free, and you can’t get more cost-effective than that.
As I mentioned earlier, one thing you can always count on with Ubuntu is familiarity. Given that Canonical hasn’t made any radical changes to the desktop, you can be sure that will be the case for years to come.
Who is Ubuntu 26.04 for?
If you’re new to Linux, Ubuntu is a great choice. If you’ve been using Linux for a short time and aren’t happy with your current distribution, Ubuntu is a good next step. If you’ve been using Linux for a long time, Ubuntu will be instantly familiar and flexible enough to be right at home for most use cases.
In other words, Ubuntu 26.04 is for just about everyone.
What is Fedora 44?
Fedora has been considered a “bleeding edge” distribution for years, but I don’t necessarily buy that tag anymore. As you’ll find with some long-time Fedora users, it’s more of a “leading edge” distribution, because it emphasizes innovation and stability. You get the latest releases of user-facing software while maintaining a highly stable base. And because Fedora ships with a fairly vanilla GNOME, you get the added stability of one of the most reliable desktop environments available.
On top of that, the combination of Fedora and GNOME makes for a very fast desktop operating system. Fedora 44 does for modern hardware what a distribution like Xubuntu does for older hardware – makes it feel faster than it should.
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As I said, Fedora 44 uses the GNOME desktop environment, and has for many years. Unlike Ubuntu, Fedora doesn’t customize the desktop; you get GNOME as intended. That can be problematic for some, because GNOME is a far cry from what Windows and MacOS users have been working with.
Instead of a panel/system tray, you get an application overview and a top bar. The good news is that once you start using GNOME, it makes perfect sense and you’ll find it highly efficient. GNOME gets out of your way, so you can focus on what’s important.
Of course, if you want to customize your Fedora desktop, you can install any number of GNOME Extensions to make it better fit your needs.
With the installation of a single extension (Dash to Dock), the Fedora desktop already looks more familiar.
Jack Wallen\ZDNET
You would think that, given that both distributions use the GNOME DE, they would be quite similar. At first blush, they are not, but when you open the application overviews, you’ll find they are very much alike. The difference is how you access the overview.
Who is Fedora 44 for?
Years ago, I would never have suggested someone new to Linux try Fedora. These days, I’ve changed my tune on that. Sure, the desktop is different from what Windows and MacOS users have been working with, but anyone who has used a mobile phone shouldn’t have any problem with Fedora/GNOME.
I also used to say that the APT (Ubuntu) and DNF (Fedora) were very different and that APT was far more user-friendly. But the thing is, both have very solid GUI frontends, so there’s no need to open a terminal window and install apps from the command line.
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In my opinion, Fedora 44 is right for anyone looking for a lightning-fast, highly stable operating system that ships with the latest software while also maintaining a high level of stability.
Which is right for you?
When you strip away all of the technical details, it all boils down to this: Which take on GNOME best suits you? If you like a desktop that can be quickly changed to better resemble what you’ve been working with, go with Ubuntu. If, on the other hand, you like the idea of using a more minimal desktop that gets out of your way (or can be highly customized with the help of third-party extensions), then Fedora is the way to go.
Either way, both distributions are solid choices.
