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Openbox VS Mir

Compare Openbox VS Mir and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Openbox logo Openbox

Openbox is a highly configurable, next generation window manager with extensive standards support.

Mir logo Mir

The purpose of Mir is to enable the development of user interfaces shells.
  • Openbox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-06
Not present

Openbox features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Openbox is a highly efficient window manager that requires minimal system resources, making it an excellent choice for older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Customizable
    Openbox offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the look and feel of their desktop environment to their specific preferences.
  • Fast Performance
    Due to its lightweight nature, Openbox provides fast and responsive performance, resulting in quicker application launches and smoother overall desktop experience.
  • Comprehensive Keybindings
    Openbox supports complex keybindings, enabling power users to create efficient workflow setups through keyboard shortcuts.
  • Extensible
    Openbox can work seamlessly with other tools and additional software, allowing users to extend its capabilities with tools like panels, widgets, and additional plugins.

Possible disadvantages of Openbox

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Openbox requires a more hands-on approach and can be challenging for beginners to set up and configure due to its extensive customization options.
  • Limited Out-of-the-box Features
    Unlike full desktop environments, Openbox does not come with many built-in features, requiring users to install and configure additional software to achieve a fully functional desktop.
  • No Desktop Icons by Default
    Openbox does not support desktop icons natively, so users need to rely on additional tools like 'xfdesktop' or 'pcmanfm' to add this functionality.
  • Minimalistic Appearance
    While some users appreciate the minimalistic look, others might find it too bare-bones compared to more feature-rich environments like GNOME or KDE.
  • Manual Configuration
    Most customizations in Openbox require editing configuration files manually, which can be time-consuming and error-prone for users unfamiliar with text-based configurations.

Mir features and specs

  • Performance Optimization
    Mir is designed to provide high performance and efficiency for graphical operations, which can lead to smoother and faster UI experiences on supported hardware.
  • Touch Interface Support
    Mir was developed with a focus on supporting touch-based interfaces, making it suitable for modern touch-enabled devices.
  • Security Features
    Improved security features compared to older systems, including better isolation of graphical processes, reducing the risk of exploitation.
  • Unity UI Integration
    Mir is tailored to work with the Unity user interface, offering potentially better integration and performance when used with Ubuntu's Unity desktop environment.

Possible disadvantages of Mir

  • Limited Adoption
    As of the last update, Mir did not see widespread adoption beyond Ubuntu, which may lead to limited community support and fewer resources.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Applications and games optimized for X server might face compatibility issues when running on Mir, requiring adaptations or alternative solutions.
  • Development Shifts
    The focus of Ubuntu has shifted away from the Unity desktop and Mir, choosing GNOME and Wayland, potentially affecting future support and development.
  • Resource Investment
    Developers and organizations need to allocate resources to adopt Mir, which can be a drawback compared to using already widely adopted alternatives like Wayland or X11.

Analysis of Openbox

Overall verdict

  • Openbox is a great choice for users seeking a lightweight and highly customizable window management solution. Its performance benefits on lower-end hardware and flexibility make it a valuable tool for power users and enthusiasts alike.

Why this product is good

  • Openbox is a highly configurable and lightweight window manager for the X Window System. It's known for its speed and simplicity, allowing users to control their desktop environment efficiently. It provides a blank canvas for users wanting to customize their workspace, making it ideal for those who prefer a minimalist setup or have limited system resources. The configuration is done through plain text files, offering flexibility for advanced users who wish to personalize their user experience meticulously.

Recommended for

  • Advanced users looking for customization options
  • Users with older or less powerful hardware
  • Minimalists who prefer a robust yet simplistic interface
  • Linux enthusiasts who enjoy configuring their desktop environment
  • Developers and programmers who want a distraction-free workspace

Openbox videos

+ Add

Get Rid Of That Bloated Desktop Environment And Install Openbox

More videos:

  • Review - Manjaro Openbox: First Impressions and Review
  • Tutorial - Openbox V8S Review- How to get Free TV!!!
  • Review - Open Box Review (Bx8 M-Audio Speakers) #Openbox #SpeakerReview
  • Review - Openbox A1 - Review
  • Review - OPEN BOX - @ikmultimedia TONEX #fyp #opening #openbox #review #guitar

Mir videos

+ Add

MIR 4 HONEST REVIEW | HOW MUCH CAN YOU REALLY EARN PER DAY

More videos:

  • Review - Super Simple Fixes: Product review of the Mir Pro weight vest
  • Review - ALL WEIGHTED VEST EXERCISES I DO | MIR Weighted Vest Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Openbox and Mir)

Openbox

Mir

Linux
81 81%
Linux
19% 19
OS & Utilities
0 0%
OS & Utilities
100% 100
Window Manager
76 76%
Window Manager
24% 24
Utilities
100 100%
Utilities
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Openbox and Mir

Openbox Reviews

Top 10 Best Desktop Environments in 2020
People who’re deep into Linux, love Openbox’s simplicity. It’s extremely lightweight, and comes with only a text-based right-click menu that lists all your applications. The menu is customizable too, and you can add scripts or functions within the menu as a link.
Source: www.journaldev.com

Mir Reviews

We have no reviews of Mir yet.
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Openbox and Mir, you can also consider the following products

i3 - A dynamic tiling window manager designed for X11, inspired by wmii, and written in C.

Wayland - Wayland is intended as a simpler replacement for X, easier to develop and maintain.

dwm - dwm is a dynamic window manager for X. It manages windows in tiled, monocle and floating layouts. All of the layouts can be applied dynamically, optimising the environment for the application in use and the task performed.

DirectFB - DirectFB is a web-based platform that provides you with complete access to a software library that you can use for the acceleration of graphics, handling the input devices, and others for your Linux operating systems.

Fluxbox - Fluxbox is a window manager for X that was based on the Blackbox 0.61.1 code.

Y Window System - Y Window System is a platform that allows you to improve the speed, working, and efficiency of the application in your operating system and helps you to increase the responsiveness of applications similar to any locally based app.

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