I would say it depends on the user. Some might feel more at home with KDE, because the layout is similar to Windows. Some might be coming from macOS, so they would be more at home with Pantheon. Some might choose GNOME, because…
Anyway, the answer is none of the above, it’s terminal only. Get good or get out. Using graphics is for quitters.
A question with no right answer, because it is a matter of taste and habits.
Both are very much sophisticated desktop environments which very useful defaults. Neither Gnome nor Plasma are too complicated for beginners and can be customized easily. If you want to you can go very deep into the customization too.
Vanilla gnome isn’t for me so I used to install some extensions when I used it.
After a few hopping, I stopped using Gnome, because I find that painful to :
- install the extension app (the one that allow you to download and manage the extensions, and that is usually not the one installed, it might have changed, as I stopped using Gnome for a year or even more)
- install the extensions I want
- configure the extensions
On KDE, I just have to set it as I need it.
If you do not change distributions everyday, then it’s not a big issue I guess.
But it might be troublesome for beginners trying distributions that have vanilla-close gnome to know that extensions exist. My needs are not complicated, so I only used extensions that allow me to have a dock on both of my screens, and to have the minimize button.
I only gave GNOME a try… so by default I would say KDE Plasma?
Gnome is probably a good choice if you like MacOS’ ecosystem and design (maybe also those having touch screens??). But personally I totally hated it… Can’t even right click and create a folder/document by default… uggh gives me MacOS PTSD…
KDE plasma is more fitted for those looking for a “Windows” feeling and greater customization.
My personal preference RN is XFCE on EndeavourOS ! Great design, simplicity, elegant, great defaults OOTB…
