Xfce

In short: Xfce is a lean, fast Linux desktop for older or weaker computers. It is classically built and very stable.

In more detail: Xfce consists of individual building blocks (panel, file manager Thunar, window manager xfwm4, settings) that can also be used separately. It runs with roughly 400 to 600 MB of RAM.

In detail

• Version: 4.20 (late 2024) brought first experimental Wayland support.
• Customising: several panels, plugins, themes, icons.
• Development: conservative, few big changes, a new release often takes over a year.
• Distributions: Xubuntu, Linux Mint Xfce, MX Linux, Manjaro Xfce, Debian (as an option).
• Programs: Thunar (files), Mousepad (editor), Ristretto (images), Xfce Terminal, Whisker menu.
• Disadvantage: fewer modern effects, HiDPI and Wayland come more slowly.

See also: Linux desktop environments at a glance, LXQt