I have a problem i cannot select a OS ubuntu mate or ubuntu i like to do:Coding,play minecraft,see YouTube,fast system and classic easy to use thanks!!!!!!!!
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I have not performed speed tests. I am no expert.
Given Gnome and its architecture, I am tempted to say that Ubuntu MATE is more "nimble" and "responsive", because Gnome is trying to be all things to everyone, where UM is trying to limit the "pollution" that comes from integrating newer technologies "before they are optimized/ready for prime-time", merging those in only once they have "mostly stabilized". When that latter stage is achieved, those newer technologies/features have been integrated into the non-LTS releases in a controlled fashion, specifically to maintain the usability for our Community. I don't want people to feel insulted by my applying this characterization, because I have seen many references to leading-edge stuff raised and discussed, but I feel that members of our UM Community are "small-C Conservative", meaning we prefer stability and usability over novel and flashy. I think we tend to "experiment" in a very focused and controlled fashion, one thing at a time, rather than user a "scatterbrush" approach. At least that is what I've taken away from the many responses I have read. We tend to choose/act/code defensively (in my case I would characterize it as paranoid 
).
I hope that helps with your decision. I am sure others will pipe in to make their voice heard as well.
It would be interesting to see what differences would show up in any statistical distribution of age groups for each of the Ubuntu distributions. I wonder if Canonical has already done that privately and not shared the results. :-)
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In my own words (no Google, Wikipedia, AI, etc.) which means a) it could be wrong, and b) may not be as clearly stated as I'd like, this is my take. And why I prefer MATE.
Ubuntu is the "core" of the system. It's a fork of Debian, which could confuse things, but Canonical has undertaken the role of "fencing in" the moving - but mostly hidden - parts of its Linux. MATE is a variation on Gnome, essentially forking off from the ongoing developement of Gnome3, and keeping the UI effectively Gnome2. So basically, what you have is the core "frozen" by Canonical and the UI "frozen" by MATE. In this case, "frozen" doesn't mean without updates and improvements, but kept in a development "corral" that guides the what and when of development and release schedules.
It is possible to have more than one UI on a Linux system. Linux Mint, for example, can be had with its own Cinnamon desktop, but MATE and Xfce are also available. A while ago, I toyed with a distro that could have its desktop "flipped at a switch" by installing them all and then toggling the desktop as desired. I no longer attempt that kind of madness. MATE gives me a consistent user experience (keeping in mind that packages that don't adhere to its guidelines can be installed) and provides me a way to engage in computing without having to tinker with the UI all the time.
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I have no idea what you're asking.
Like everything, there are pros and cons with every choice, what I'd consider is
- Ubuntu Desktop comes with 5 years of standard support; Ubuntu MATE being a flavor only as 3 years; though parts of a Ubuntu-MATE system will have security fixes for the full 5 years (
ubuntu-security-statusetc can provide clues) - Ubuntu Desktop & packages from main get checks by the Ubuntu Security Team; which gives a potential benefit for Ubuntu Desktop (ie. GNOME) in regards Security; the MATE desktop doesn't get this
- MATE is faster; I volunteered at a recycler across my city, and we'd put Ubuntu on the recycled systems we sold; two desktops were included in our 'build' with users free to select for themselves which they used; if however they didn't have a decent machine we'd always recommend they choose the Ubuntu-MATE desktop, as it was lighter and faster than Ubuntu Desktop (GNOME)
- My installs are usually multi-desktop installs; so I can select which DE/WM I use at login, and to be honest, I'm rarely choosing Ubuntu Desktop as GNOME isn't my favorite; so tastes will decide what's best for you!
- GNOME uses the latest GTK & thus gets newer hardware support built in usually earlier, but your hardware may not benefit from this.. I do have a touch screen where I'm usually picking Ubuntu Desktop at login (where its an option I ignore on other devices)
- MATE has an easy way to adjust how it looks that I like; and I consider it more flexible in making it what I like to GNOME, but GNOME does have some good points too
We all have different use-cases, so what's best for me on one of my installs & on one device may not suit other installs, let alone being best for other uses.
If you're a newbie, I do suggest deciding on one, as there are costs too for those like me that never decide, and thus bloat our installs down in a multi-desktop install; but you can somewhat easily change from one desktop to another too.
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I'm a somewhat-similar user.
I have a 4 year-old mid-tier, lightweight laptop with an RTX 2060 and Ryzen 4900HS. I use it for code, retro and some-newer games, OBS, and some on-device machine learning.
My approach is to keep things 'lightweight' but not ugly. I like to draw as little power as possible because I'm a bezerkoid greenie, but also because I like battery life. MATE is in the sweet spot for me. Ubuntu (GNOME)'s footprint is too big, and XFCE (or LXDE) have never quite looked right to me. MATE is "just right".
The Ubuntu MATE community is incredibly solid, not only is there excellent Ubuntu MATE-specific knowledge here, there is general Linux knowledge that is readily shared.
However, I am drifting away from Ubuntu. Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, is fantastic but their focus is on enterprise and business customers. I'm looking at some of the competing distributions and liking what I see more and more. MATE development, too, is something to keep an eye on, as it has slowed considerably over time.
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I'll throw my hat in the ring too.
I am in a similar camp that GNOME and newer-looking desktop environments don't speak to me -- I am not a fan of the modern UI design at all. Similarly, the lightweight desktops (Xfce, LXQT, etc.) I tried but not quite was I was looking for. MATE and the continuation of the GNOME 2.x look/paradigm (or a derivative depending on your choice of panel layout via MATE Tweak) is right up my alley and I fell in love with it very quickly.
That is something I haven't seen brought up yet, actually --- MATE Tweak! The ease of complete personalisation at a click of the mouse by transforming the entire layout to something that suits you best (Redmond, Cupertino, Mutiny etc.). You just don't get that with GNOME!
However, in my opinion, if you're into some of the more modernised features of integrating with your cloud service of choice, your smartphone, and getting notifications from anything and everything, GNOME and the flagship Ubuntu desktop might be your cup of tea. I don't do that stuff so I'm happier without those features.
I chose Ubuntu MATE (I have tried other distributions with MATE) as it seems to be the best integrated, there are many unique features, and of course, the community who is an amazing group of people who will be happy to help if you need assistance or teach if you want to learn!
My laptop is 2 years old and it was one of the cheapest I could get at the computer store near my town. My use case is production -- anything I need to get done on a personal basis, playing some games (Pinball and GNOME Games ), music, and YouTube. Thus, I only want my computer to work and be reliable every time I need to get something done.
I don't code, I don't do video editing, and I'm not a developer, so I can't comment on any of those use cases unfortunately.
Good luck with your decision making!
Jaymo
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Admittedly a loaded question, Stephen, and slightly off topic but within the scope of selection decision-making ...
About your comment on MATE development slowing down, would you characterize the slow-down as
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lack of awareness in the UM Desktop's existence;
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lack of interest in the feature-set offered by UM Desktop;
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nature and extent of difficulties associated with attempts at integration of newer technologies (or turnaround delays in adding support for emerging and newly produced hardware);
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lack of enthusiastic users in younger age-groups; or
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potential adoptees repelled, at a cursory glance without digging under the cover, by the extent to which the GUI offers similarity of MS Windows interaction and want to distance themselves from that, without giving UM at least a fair trial ?
Essentially, do we know if the UM user-base is "stable" or "shrinking", and is that a disincentive for developers looking to "make a splash" or "make their mark" ?
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I hope I'm not straying off the topic of this post, but it seems to be in the wheelhouse of @ericmarceau 's questions.
As stated previously I love Ubuntu MATE and have tried many other distros, but keep coming back for my several reasons. However, to add to what @stephematician mentioned, I have noticed the following over time:
- Discontinuation of our beloved, unique features the "Welcome Application" and the "Software Boutique" (although I am on UM 22.04 so I still have these, but I understand 24.04 and the point releases following do not).
- There were some special projects/versions (Ultra Mobile PC and potentially Raspberry Pi?!? but this I've heard but not verified) that are being or have been discontinued that were/are unique to Ubuntu MATE.
- No more books for Ubuntu MATE after 22.04. I just think, what an awesome and special way to get someone new to Linux on UM.
- The hardware partnership to buy a laptop with Ubuntu MATE pre-installed does not seem to exist anymore.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that, unfortunately, with the passage of time or any reason, the things that make Ubuntu MATE "special" and/or "unique" out of any Linux distribution (not just Ubuntu flavours) seem to be going. That is just my thought. Of course, please correct me if I am wrong on any of these as these are more so my personal observations and not necessarily hard facts.
Like I say, I don't know how to code, but I want to contribute to ensure the continued success and thriving of this wonderful Linux distro and community (thus my Patreon membership).
However, I have strong faith that this project will continue on and find ways for it to stand itself out as the prime Linux distro for MATE users. Honestly, the people in this community are a dedicated, talented bunch yet take the time to help new users (believe me, like I say, I've tried a lot, but this talented bunch is the best)!
I hope this shines a bit of insight into my thoughts.
Thanks as always,
Jaymo
** EDIT: Also thank you @lah7 and contributors for keeping the Ambiant MATE theme alive! You guys are rock stars.**
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I would also add my points of view on this general topic and also the questions you @ericmarceau, raised here
First to say - I prefer UM over base Ubuntu since it is on the lighter weight spectrum of OS's and also because its looks and feels speak to me as a user far more than the most modern GUI ever did - I don't like how everything is using too much RAM just to be a bit more shiny/flashy since I don't use high-end machines and therefore I as a user feel that most modern styles mostly forego support of older hardware which is against my core belief in sustained and reusable machines - UM seems to have a very good and very economically and ecologically friendly core principles that I respect - and being Ubuntu/Debian-based it has a large community in combination with decent looking and efficient GUI in form of MATE
As for the loaded question - I would say the biggest problem might be a sort of cultural shift towards "mobile" looking desktops since so many of the younger generations spend much of their time on the phones so they feel more "at home" with the GUI that feels more like a mobile app than window-ish and I wouldn't be surprised if many would categorize MATE as a "peak of late 2000s aesthetic"
And in that in mind I see that MATE should be commercialized as a GUI for those that want "honest work without sugarcoating" or similar slogan since it would drive in all the people that are searching for a "digital balance" as opposed to "detox" from constant phone usage and that already did switch to a "dumb" phone: 'Dumb phone' beyond the headlines, why are we seeing a rise in popularity? Part 1
In that regard I see the potential of Ubuntu MATE for those users like myself that don't want to be entangled in a cyber-space any more than we ought to or must be
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PCLinuxOS motto is "The boomer distribution"
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Wow! I didn't know that and now that I see it I think it's just awesome from a marketing perspective - I mean, GTK2/GTK3 isn't getting any younger so maybe we at MATE need something similar but not the same - something that would enhance the features of an OS like: ease of use; stability; sturdiness and robustness - "A workhorse for an everyday use" something that is catchy yet powerful but without negation in the message in the same time
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What about "Ubuntu Mate: stable and proven as knife and fireplace". 
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I like that one as well - I've got these three as well from a quick brainstorming:
"Ubuntu MATE: Stable, sleek, and sturdy as a steel bridge built to last."
"Ubuntu MATE - a teapot steeped in tradition."
"Ubuntu MATE: A perfect brew of tradition and technology."
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If we're throwing out slogans or bylines, how about
I wasn't sure if the order of "effective" and "empowering" should be switched.
That image is a cropping of an updated 1440x900 login wallpaper:
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I'm a bit of a Luddite.
"Ubuntu MATE. Try it. You'll like it."
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Yet another try
Standing on the shoulders of giants. Ubuntu MATE.
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Very well done! Also - I'd like to add that maybe instead of "satisfying" I'd use "easy to use" since MATE really shines in getting users up and ready with tasks up ahead and also because empowering and satisfying are, in my mind, a bit too similar to justify both words as separate concepts - just my thought though haha
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As to the choice of bi-words,
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effective => anything it tackles ... gets done!
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empowering => if you need it done ... it gets you there!
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satisfying => ongoing "high" ... from daily success!
Given that extra insight, I think I covered the ease of use with "empowering". It is kind of implicit. Don't you agree?
Also, now that I reflect on it again, I think I got the order correct.
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Hmm I wouldn't necessarily say that "empowering" as a word implies things to be easy to use - learning to install Linux from scratch can be very empowering but is it easy, I wouldn't say it is
Ease of use could be put inside of "satisfying" therefore my previous comment - since it really is satisfying to have something that doesn't complicate your life nor expects you to have a degree in tech to comprehend basic tasks but then again satisfaction can also be derived by overcoming hard, treacherous road of learning things anew which may come off as "not-easy" category to some people that seek out-of-the-box experience with KISS abbreviation in mind primarily
Ease of use is something that really is at the core of Ubuntu and MATE is complementing it very well since we can do so much more via GUI than we could even a few years ago considering how much easier the install process has become
I mean I recently met a few people I talked to that consider Linux who consider the distributions that have a very no-nonsense approach to initial install of OS and provide options like full/minimal install that we already have and that is something I always find amusing since I've been using Linux so long that I even forget it's something important since I got too used to it to notice the importance - I would just like to emphasize that since it made me re-think some things and my views on tech in general
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You've made many valid points. I think they boil down to using messaging that will make "window-shoppers" want to try UM, only to discover that they don't want to live without it!
Also, I guess there is something to be said about simple messaging that gets thru to people, so, here goes!
Now, we need to encourage the developers, to ensure UM delivers on the promise to those window-shoppers and, as a Community, to continue offering the helping hands and pearls of insight and wisdom that I've seen offered by our generous members, thereby ensuring newcomers come to realize their journey into our shared environment is "shepherded" by a group of caring people!
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