LXQt

LXQt is a free and open-source lightweight desktop environment for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. It is designed to be fast and energy-efficient, offering a modular and Qt-based alternative for users who favor a small footprint without sacrificing modern desktop features.

LXQt arose from the collaboration between LXDE, a GTK-based lightweight desktop, and Razor-qt, a Qt-based project. The merger occurred in the early 2010s, resulting in the LXQt project, which continues to be developed by the LXQt community and its sponsors. The aim is to provide a modern, fast, and configurable desktop environment that remains light on system resources.

The LXQt user experience is built around a set of core components that work together on top of a compatible window manager. Key elements include lxqt-panel (the panel), lxqt-desktop (the desktop environment), lxqt-config (system settings), and lxqt-notificationd (notifications). It also uses PCManFM-Qt as the file manager and offers a lightweight launcher for applications. The exact set of applications can vary by distribution, but the stack is designed to be modular and easy to customize.

LXQt is available in many Linux distributions and is commonly offered as the default or alternative desktop option in several of them, including those focused on lightweight environments. It is primarily designed for X11; Wayland support is experimental and development continues to improve compatibility with newer display protocols.

Overall, LXQt targets users seeking a responsive, low-resource desktop with a modern toolkit, suitable for older hardware as well as contemporary systems.