Xfce Legacy
Many people have asked us why Ubuntu Studio has a panel on top by default. For that, it’s a simple answer: Legacy.
When Ubuntu Studio 12.04 LTS (Precise Pangolin) was released over 13 years ago, it was released with a top panel by default, as it was the default for our desktop environment: Xfce.
Fast forward eight years to 20.10 and Xfce was no longer our default desktop environment: we switched to KDE’s Plasma Desktop. Plasma has a bottom panel by default, similar to Windows. However, to ease the transition for our long-time users, we kept the panel at the top by default and resized it to be similar to the default top panel of Xfce.
To macOS-like layout
With 25.10’s release, we included an additional layout: two panels. One panel is at the top with a global menu, and the bottom contains some default apps, a trash can, and a full-screen app launcher. It’s a way to feel familiar to those with a similar layout of where they might be coming from, since it’s an operating system for creativity: macOS.
Familiarity and traditionality: Windows-like layout
As of 26.04 LTS, we’ll also include one more layout: a lower, Windows 10-like layout. This is to ease the transition for those coming from Windows, and due to popular requests and reports.
Should we change the default?
It’s been 13 years since we used a top panel, but is it the right idea anymore?
Right now, on the Ubuntu Discourse, we have a poll to decide if we should change the default layout starting with 26.04 LTS. This will not affect layouts for anyone upgrading from a previous release, but only new installations or new users going forward.
If you want to participate in the poll, go to the ubuntu discourse and raise a voice!
