Introduction
Ubuntu Cinnamon represents one of the most attractive options for users who want to combine Ubuntu's strength with the elegance and productivity of the Cinnamon desktop environment. This distribution offers a polished experience, where the stability of the Ubuntu core is found with a modern, intuitive and highly customizable desktop. In this article we will explore what Ubuntu Cinnamon is, how to install it, its most outstanding features and why it could be the ideal choice for both beginners and advanced Linux users.
What is Ubuntu Cinnamon?
Ubuntu Cinnamon is not an official variant of Ubuntu, but a community-maintained version that takes the Ubuntu package repository and adds the Cinnamon desktop environment, originally developed by Linux Mint. Cinnamon focuses on providing a traditional design with a lower panel, a menu of classic applications and soft visual effects that remind the best-known desks, but without giving up flexibility and access to Ubuntu's vast repositories. In this way, users get the best of both worlds: the compatibility and support of Ubuntu along with the aesthetics and productivity of Cinnamon.
How to install Ubuntu Cinnamon
Install Ubuntu Cinnamon is a simple process that can be done in two main ways. The first option is to download the official ISO image from the project page and create a USB or DVD boot medium, then follow the Ubuntu standard installation wizard. The second alternative, for those who already have Ubuntu installed, is to add the Cinnamon environment through the sudo apt update and sudo apt install ubuntu-cinnamo-desktop commands. After installation, simply close the session and select the Cinnamon session in the login manager to start using the new desktop. Both methods ensure a fully functional and up-to-date system.
Main features of the Cinnamon desktop
The Cinnamon desktop stands out for its configurable lower panel, which allows you to launch applications, access work spaces and display the watch and notification tray. The application menu, classic style, offers instant search and category organization, making it easy to find any program. The effects of transparency and animations are soft but not excessive, maintaining good performance even on modest hardware. In addition, Cinnamon includes applets and extensions that can be added from the configuration panel to expand features such as climate, clipboard or multimedia player control. The customization of themes, icons and sources is centrally managed through the Cinnamon configuration application.
Customization Options
One of the greatest advantages of Cinnamon is its ability to adapt to the tastes of each user. From the Cinnamon Settings menu you can change GTK themes, choose between different color schemes and change the panel's behavior, such as its height, position or automatic concealment. Applets allow you to add direct access, system monitors or news widgets directly on the panel. In addition, using the dconf configuration editor or the Cinnamon Settings tool, it is possible to adjust keyboard shortcuts, desktop effects and window behaviors. The most advanced users can install additional themes and applets from community repositories or create their own using the programming languages supported by Cinnamon, such as JavaScript and CSS.
Performance and consumption of resources
In terms of resource consumption, Cinnamon is at an intermediate point between the lighter environments, such as Xfce or LXQt, and the heavier, such as GNOME or KDE Plasma. In a typical machine with 4 GB of RAM and a double core processor, memory use is usually around 500-700 MB at rest, while CPU consumption remains low during daily tasks such as web navigation, document editing or multimedia reproduction. This makes Ubuntu Cinnamon a viable option for both modern and slightly older hardware, provided that the system is kept up to date and that excesses of visual effects are avoided.
Community and support
Although Ubuntu Cinnamon does not have the official support of Canonical, its community is active and consists of Ubuntu and Linux Mint users who share guides, solve problems and develop applets and themes. The Linux Mint forums, the Ubuntu Cinnamon subreddit and Discord channels are excellent places to get help. In addition, being based on Ubuntu's repositories, it benefits from security updates and software packages that receive the mother distribution, ensuring a secure and up-to-date environment.
Conclusion
Ubuntu Cinnamon offers an attractive combination of stability, ease of use and refined aesthetics. For those who appreciate the traditional workflow of a classic desktop but do not want to give up Ubuntu's extensive software ecosystem, this variant is an excellent alternative. Whether you're looking for a system for daily work, study or just want to explore a new way to interact with Linux, Ubuntu Cinnamon deserves a serious test and could become your favorite desktop.
