When you think of Ubuntu, the sleek, modern GNOME desktop likely springs to mind. But the Ubuntu universe is far more diverse than its flagship interface. However, this shift does not mean X.org has vanished entirely. Several official Ubuntu flavors continue to offer X.org as an option, preserving workflows and tools that many users rely on. This article explores three key ways X.org remains relevant within the Ubuntu ecosystem, even as GNOME marches forward with Wayland.
The Landscape of Ubuntu Flavors in 26.04
Alongside the default GNOME edition, Canonical released seven other official flavors for Ubuntu 26.04. These are not separate operating systems; they share the same core repositories, the same kernel, and the same snap-based applications like Firefox and Thunderbird. The difference lies entirely in the desktop environment and the default application set. Crucially, five of these seven flavors still offer X.org as an available session, providing a lifeline for users who need it.
All flavors are built by volunteer community teams, not by Canonical itself. They must adhere to strict guidelines: they use only free and open-source software from Ubuntu’s own repositories, they include LibreOffice, and they do not bundle Flatpak. Most use the Subiquity installer, though some, like Ubuntu Studio, use Calamares for a more customized installation experience. This diversity means that x.org ubuntu flavors are more than just a technical footnote; they represent a deliberate choice to support different workflows.
Why Flavors Retain X.org
The primary reason flavors keep X.org is compatibility. Many of these desktops, such as Xfce, LXQt, and MATE, have a long history with X.org. Their development teams have invested years in optimizing for this display server. Switching to Wayland would require significant rewriting of window managers, panel applets, and system tray icons. For volunteer teams with limited resources, this is a daunting task. As a result, these flavors offer X.org as the default or as an optional session, ensuring that users can continue using their familiar tools without disruption.
Another factor is the user base. Many users of x.org ubuntu flavors are running older hardware or specialized software that does not work well under Wayland. For example, users of the Compiz window manager or those who rely on Synergy for keyboard and mouse sharing often find X.org indispensable. By keeping X.org alive, these flavors serve a community that values stability and predictability over the latest graphical innovations.
3 Ways X.org Lives in Ubuntu Resolute Raccoon
Let us now examine the three specific ways X.org persists in the Ubuntu 26.04 ecosystem, despite GNOME’s departure.
1. The Xfce Experience: Lightweight and X.org Native
Xubuntu, the official flavor featuring the Xfce desktop, is perhaps the most prominent example of an x.org ubuntu flavor. Xfce is designed to be lightweight and modular, making it ideal for older computers or users who prefer a traditional desktop layout. In Xubuntu 26.04, X.org remains the default display server. The session offers full access to all X11 features, including the ability to run xrandr for display configuration, xdotool for automation, and xclip for clipboard management.
What makes Xubuntu particularly appealing is its familiarity. The panel at the bottom, the application menu, and the system tray will feel instantly recognizable to anyone who has used Windows 7 or earlier versions. For users who find GNOME’s minimalism frustrating, Xubuntu provides a comfortable alternative. The development team has also optimized Xfce to run smoothly on systems with as little as 2 GB of RAM, making it a practical choice for repurposing old laptops.
One concrete advantage of X.org in Xubuntu is the ability to use x11vnc for remote desktop access. This tool allows you to share your entire desktop over a network, which is useful for remote support or accessing your computer from another device. Under Wayland, such tools require additional configuration and may not capture all windows correctly. For IT administrators and power users, this alone can justify choosing an X.org-based flavor.
2. LXQt: Lightweight and Modular
Lubuntu, which uses the LXQt desktop, is another flavor that keeps X.org front and center. LXQt is the successor to LXDE, built on the Qt toolkit. It is even lighter than Xfce, targeting machines with very limited resources. In Lubuntu 26.04, X.org is the default session, and the desktop is stripped down to the essentials. There are no animations, no fancy effects, and no unnecessary services running in the background.
For users who need to squeeze every drop of performance from their hardware, Lubuntu is a strong contender. The X.org session allows for fine-grained control over display settings using tools like arandr, which provides a graphical interface for xrandr. This is particularly useful for multi-monitor setups where you need to arrange monitors in a specific order or set different refresh rates.
Another benefit of LXQt with X.org is the support for older graphics drivers. Some legacy GPUs, such as the Intel GMA series or early Radeon cards, have better support under X.org than under Wayland. Lubuntu ensures that these older systems remain usable, extending their lifespan and reducing electronic waste. This aligns with the open-source philosophy of supporting a wide range of hardware, regardless of its age.
3. Ubuntu Unity: A macOS-Like Layout with X.org
Ubuntu Unity is a unique flavor that revives the Unity desktop originally developed by Canonical for Ubuntu 17.04 and earlier. It offers a layout similar to Apple macOS, with a global menu bar at the top and a dock on the left side. However, its keyboard shortcuts are more aligned with Windows conventions, making it a hybrid that appeals to users who want a different visual style without learning entirely new navigation patterns.
In Ubuntu Unity 26.04, X.org is available as an option, though the default session may use Wayland depending on the version. The Unity desktop has a long history with X.org, and many of its features, such as the HUD (Head-Up Display) and the integrated menu bar, rely on X11 protocols. Keeping X.org ensures that these features work reliably without requiring significant re-engineering.
For users who appreciate the aesthetics of macOS but prefer the freedom of Linux, Ubuntu Unity provides a compelling option. The X.org session allows for the use of Compiz, the compositing window manager that provides smooth animations and desktop effects. Compiz is not compatible with Wayland, so users who want its features must use an X.org-based session. This makes Ubuntu Unity one of the few flavors that still supports advanced desktop effects in a modern Ubuntu release.
Comparing Support Lifespans: GNOME vs. Flavors
One critical difference between the default GNOME edition and the flavors is the support lifespan. LTS releases of Ubuntu, including 26.04, receive five years of free security updates for the GNOME desktop. For flavors, this support is limited to three years for the desktop environment. This means that if you install Xubuntu 26.04, you will receive updates for Xfce and related applications for only three years, after which you must upgrade to the next LTS to continue receiving updates.
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This disparity is due to the volunteer nature of flavor development. Canonical provides the base system and infrastructure, but the flavor teams are responsible for maintaining their desktop packages. With limited resources, they cannot guarantee the same long-term support that Canonical provides for GNOME. For users who want a traditional desktop with the full five-year support window, installing GNOME Flashback on the default Ubuntu edition is an alternative. GNOME Flashback provides a classic GNOME 2-like interface using the same underlying GNOME stack, ensuring five years of updates.
However, GNOME Flashback still runs on Wayland in Ubuntu 26.04, so it does not offer X.org access. If you specifically need X.org, a flavor like Xubuntu or Lubuntu remains the best choice, even with the shorter support window. The practical implication is that you should plan to upgrade your flavor installation every two years when a new LTS is released. This ensures you stay within the supported window and receive all critical security patches.
Practical Considerations for Choosing an X.org Flavor
If you are considering switching to an x.org ubuntu flavor, there are several practical factors to evaluate. First, assess your hardware. Older machines with limited RAM will benefit from the lightweight nature of Xfce or LXQt. Newer machines with powerful GPUs may not see a significant performance difference, but you might still prefer the traditional workflow.
Second, consider your application needs. If you rely on specific X11 tools like x11vnc, xdotool, or xclip, an X.org-based flavor is essential. These tools do not have direct equivalents under Wayland, and the workarounds can be cumbersome. For example, under Wayland, you can use wayvnc for remote desktop, but it requires a compositor that supports the wlr-screencopy protocol, which not all Wayland compositors implement.
Third, think about your tolerance for change. If you have been using Linux for years and are comfortable with the X.org ecosystem, switching to a flavor that preserves that experience can save you time and frustration. The learning curve for Wayland is not steep, but the subtle differences in how applications interact with the display server can be jarring. For instance, taking screenshots under Wayland requires tools like grim and slurp, rather than the familiar gnome-screenshot or scrot.
Installation and Setup Tips
Installing a flavor is straightforward. Download the ISO from the official Ubuntu flavors website, create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Balena Etcher, and boot from it. The installer will guide you through partitioning and user setup. Most flavors use the Subiquity installer, which is the same one used by the default Ubuntu edition. Ubuntu Studio uses Calamares, which offers a slightly different interface but is equally user-friendly.
After installation, you may want to customize the desktop to suit your preferences. Xfce, for example, allows extensive customization of panels, applets, and keyboard shortcuts. LXQt is more minimal but still offers a settings panel for adjusting themes, fonts, and icons. Ubuntu Unity comes with a built-in tweak tool for adjusting the dock and menu bar. Take some time to explore these settings to make the desktop your own.
The Future of X.org in Ubuntu
The question on many users’ minds is how long X.org will remain available in Ubuntu flavors. The answer depends on the development pace of Wayland and the resources of each flavor team. Wayland has matured significantly, and many desktop environments, including KDE Plasma and GNOME, now offer excellent Wayland support. However, for lightweight desktops like Xfce and LXQt, the transition is slower. The Xfce developers have stated that Wayland support is a long-term goal, but it will not be ready for several more years.
For now, the five flavors that offer X.org provide a safety net for users who are not ready to move on. As long as there is demand and volunteer effort, these flavors will continue to support X.org. The community-driven nature of Ubuntu flavors ensures that they can adapt to user needs more flexibly than the flagship edition. This is one of the strengths of the Ubuntu ecosystem: it offers choice, even when the default path changes.
In the meantime, users of x.org ubuntu flavors can enjoy a stable, reliable desktop experience that preserves the workflows they have built over years of Linux use. Whether you choose Xubuntu for its lightweight performance, Lubuntu for its minimalism, or Ubuntu Unity for its unique interface, you can rest assured that X.org is still alive and well in Ubuntu 26.04.
