Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

pekwm VS Openbox

Compare pekwm VS Openbox and see what are their differences

pekwm logo pekwm

pekwm is a window manager that once up on a time was based on the aewm++ window manager, but it has...

Openbox logo Openbox

Openbox is a highly configurable, next generation window manager with extensive standards support.
  • pekwm Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-22
  • Openbox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-06

pekwm features and specs

  • Lightweight
    pekwm is designed to be a lightweight window manager, making it ideal for systems with limited resources or for users who prefer a minimalistic setup.
  • Highly Customizable
    It offers a high degree of customization, allowing users to tailor the appearance and behavior of the window manager to fit their needs.
  • Tabbing Support
    pekwm includes support for window tabbing, enabling users to group windows together in a single frame, which can enhance workspace organization and efficiency.
  • Efficient Resource Use
    Due to its simplicity and optimized design, pekwm uses minimal system resources, resulting in fast performance even on older hardware.

Possible disadvantages of pekwm

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The customization capabilities, while extensive, can be complex for new users who are not familiar with editing configuration files manually.
  • Limited Community Support
    pekwm does not have as large a user base or community support compared to more popular window managers, which can make finding help or resources more challenging.
  • Lack of Development Updates
    Compared to more actively maintained projects, pekwm receives updates less frequently, which can mean slower response to bugs or lack of new features.
  • No Built-in Compositor
    pekwm lacks a built-in compositor, which can limit graphical effects and require additional setup for those who want advanced visual features like transparency.

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.

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

pekwm videos

Manjaro PekWM Review

More videos:

  • Review - Obscure Window Manager Project - PekWM
  • Review - Pekwm

Openbox videos

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to pekwm and Openbox)
Window Manager
29 29%
71% 71
Linux
0 0%
100% 100
Tool
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using pekwm and Openbox. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

pekwm Reviews

We have no reviews of pekwm yet.
Be the first one to post

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.

What are some alternatives?

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

Compiz - Project information. Maintainer: PS Project Management Team. Driver: Compiz Maintainers. Licence: GNU GPL v2, GNU LGPL v2. 1, MIT / X / Expat Licence.

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

xfdashboard - xfdashboard provides a GMONE shell dashboard like interface for use with the Xfce desktop.

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.

Fences - Keep your desktop organized with Fences. This is a simple software program that allows you to sort the tabs on your desktop and create files that are easily recognizable to you.

awesome - A dynamic window manager for the X Window System developed in the C and Lua programming languages.