When comparing Ubuntu GNOME vs Slackware, the Slant community recommends Slackware for most people. In the question“What are the best Linux distributions for Mac?” Slackware is ranked 13th while Ubuntu GNOME is ranked 20th. The most important reason people chose Slackware is:
Uses stable, plain-vanilla packages from upstream.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Combines the most popular desktop environment and the most popular Linux distribution
Ubuntu Gnome is an officially recognized Ubuntu derivative. Ubuntu is the most popular Linux Distribution for Desktop and Laptop Personal Computers and is also widely used on Servers. Gnome is the most popular Desktop Environment for Linux Operating Systems.
Gnome's Desktop environment is modern, sleek and designed to get out of your way, so you can just work. It is customizable and once you click around, and see some of the features you can add and change, you will find Ubuntu Gnome provides for a very fast and comfortable work or play environment.
Pro Offers a pure Gnome desktop experience
The Gnome desktop environment included in this distribution is untouched, offering a pure Gnome desktop experience. In addition, all the important Gnome apps are already installed, such as Nautilus file manager, Evince document viewer, Evolution personal information management application, Gedit text editor, Cheese webcam software, Empathy multi-protocol instant messenger, and many others.
Pro Simple and easy to use
Has been designed to be easy to use, modern looking and attractive, and easy to customize and personalize.
Pro Very easy
Pro High modifiability of interface by GNOME - shell extensions
With extensions may looks GNOME environment like Unity, Mac, Windows, Cinnamon or what would you like.
Pro Interface is 'lighter'
Not as graphics intensive as the Ubuntu desktop. Seems to run better and faster with fewer resources.
Pro Hot corner brings up favorite list bar, previews of all windows AND extra desktops
Hot corner brings up favorite list bar, previews of all windows AND extra desktops. Or just hit "windows" key and anything you want is there. Much faster than shortcuts. Gnome 3 speed, with Ubuntu software and support. Bang!
Pro Stable
Uses stable, plain-vanilla packages from upstream.
Pro Strong adherence to UNIX Principals
Pro Ideal to learn more of Linux
Follows the original Linux roots. It still sees Linux as a free clone of UNIX so the distribution tries to be UNIX-like.
Pro Package management
Uses standard tar archives with shell scripting as packages.
Pro One more distro which is init based
Some users don't like to install systemd based distros because they increase booting and processing speed.
Pro Oldest surviving Linux distro
Besides Debian (which was first released in August 1993), it is the oldest still maintained Linux Distribution and was first released in July 1993.
Pro Super fast
Pro No systemd
Cons
Con Ubuntu is already using GNOME
As of 16.04
Con Relatively high system requirements
The Gnome desktop environment is a resource hog which requires hardware accelerated graphics rendering in order to run smoothly, making out of the box Ubuntu Gnome unsuitable for low end systems and older hardware. Even mildly aged hardware, you'll get far better performance out of a lighter desktop environment like LXDE or XFCE.
Con Redundant
There is absolutely no reason to install it, since it uses the same package repositories as Ubuntu and you can transform any Ubuntu install into a Ubuntu GNOME install.
Con Some areas of Gnome are unpolished and lack features
Some aspects are still unpolished and lack features - the Gnome design team works well, but seems to not be taking input from the outside world.
Con Not user-friendly
It is made to be KISS (keep it simple, stupid), so you have to do everything by hand.
Con Large size live ISO
One needs to vain 3GB+ data for downloading one slackware ISO.
Con Narrow repos
Doesn't offer the same amount of options as other distros do.
Con Niche/small community
Slackware is its own niche and has a small community.
Con Very slow release cycle
Hasn't updated in 3+ years.
Con Dependency issues
When it comes to dependencies, Slackware shows more issues than many other distros.