LXQt 2.1.0: The Lightweight Qt Desktop Environment

Introduction

LXQt 2.1.0 is the latest release of the lightweight Qt desktop environment, designed to provide a classic desktop experience with a modern look and feel. It's known for its efficiency and minimal resource usage, making it an excellent choice for older hardware or users who prefer a streamlined interface.

Origin and History

LXQt originated from the merger of two projects: LXDE-Qt and Razor-qt. LXDE-Qt was a Qt-based version of the Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment (LXDE), while Razor-qt aimed to create a Qt-based desktop environment. The combination of these two projects resulted in LXQt, which continues to evolve and improve with each release.

Development Team

The LXQt project is maintained by a dedicated team of developers and contributors who work collaboratively to enhance the desktop environment. The team is known for its responsiveness and willingness to help users and developers alike.

Unique Features of LXQt 2.1.0

LXQt 2.1.0 introduces several new features and improvements, including:

• Wayland Support: The new lxqt-wayland-session component supports seven different Wayland sessions, including Labwc, KWin, Wayfire, Hyprland, Sway, River, and Niri.

• Improved Panel: The LXQt Panel now works on Wayland, with added back-ends for different Wayland compositors.

• Enhanced File Manager: LibFM-Qt (PCManFM-Qt) includes several fixes and enhancements, such as support for translucency under Wayland and improved multi-screen desktop support.

• Styling Improvements: The desktop environment now supports automatic palette colour application, configurable icon sizes, and improved tooltips.

Supported Linux and BSD Distributions

LXQt is available on almost all major Linux distributions and BSD flavours, including:

• Ubuntu

• Debian

• Fedora

• openSUSE

• Lubuntu

• Arch Linux

• EndeavourOS

• FreeBSD

Comparison with Other Desktop Environments

When compared to other lightweight desktop environments like XFCE and MATE, LXQt stands out for its modern look and feel. While XFCE provides a classic look and extensive application ecosystem, LXQt offers a more customizable interface with Qt-based applications. MATE, on the other hand, is based on GNOME 2 and caters to users who prefer the old GNOME interface.

Conclusion

LXQt 2.1.0 is a powerful and efficient desktop environment that continues to evolve with new features and improvements. Its support for Wayland and enhanced panel functionality make it a versatile choice for users looking for a lightweight yet modern desktop experience.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this overview is based on the latest release of LXQt 2.1.0 and may be subject to change with future updates.

Citations

1. LXQt Project. (2024). Release LXQt 2.1.0.

2. LXQt Project. (2024). Preview LXQt Release 2.1.

3. AlternativeTo. (2024). LXQt 2.1 has been released with experimental and optional Wayland support.

4. LXQt Project. (2024). Downloads.

5. Slant. (2024). 5 Best Linux distributions for LXQt.

6. openSUSE Wiki. (2024). Portal:LXQt/Intro.

7. Desde Linux. (2024). LXQT: What is it and how is it installed on Debian 10 and MX Linux 19.

8. ItsFoss. (2023). 8 Best Desktop Environments For Linux.

9. LinuxWays. (2021). Which is Better LXQt or Xfce.

Postscript #1:

We are pleased to report the release of LXQt 2.1.1, which brings several improvements and bug fixes to the LXQt desktop environment. This point release focuses on enhancing the stability and usability of LXQt, especially for Wayland sessions. 

For more details, you can check out the official release notes [here]. Postscript #2: Available in Arch Linux (Nov. 14, 2024)