When comparing Ubuntu GNOME vs Lubuntu, the Slant community recommends Lubuntu for most people. In the question“What are the best Linux distributions for Mac?” Lubuntu is ranked 11th while Ubuntu GNOME is ranked 20th. The most important reason people chose Lubuntu is:
Being based on Ubuntu (which itself is based on Debian), there's a good amount of information and support to be found when searching for it, both on Lubuntu specifically and Ubuntu that also applies to Lubuntu. It also means that there are certain security and usability standards enforced and you can use Ubuntu .deb packages.
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 Part of the Ubuntu family
Being based on Ubuntu (which itself is based on Debian), there's a good amount of information and support to be found when searching for it, both on Lubuntu specifically and Ubuntu that also applies to Lubuntu. It also means that there are certain security and usability standards enforced and you can use Ubuntu .deb packages.
Pro Lightweight
By utilizing minimal software Lubuntu is able to use less resources and power.
Pro Stable
Pro LXDE desktop
Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment performs fast and conserves resources.
Pro Offers a long term support release
Lubuntu offers a long term support release with their 14.04 Trusty Tahr based version.
Pro Uses Openbox as the default window manager
Lubuntu (LXDE) uses the lightweight Openbox window manager to manage its windows. By using Openbox by default LXDE is able to remain lightweight as there is no built in composite manager in Openbox to take up resources.
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 No composite manager
Being a modern desktop many users expect compositing, even on lightweight systems. Without compositing there will be screen tearing, a lot of it. Though there is built in support for users to add their own compositors such as Compton.
Con Long term support not as long as other Ubuntu spins
Lubuntu has not always had LTS support. Luckily they do offer a 3 year LTS now but it is shorter than other Ubuntu spins that receive a full 5 years of support.
Con Clock in panel is broken currently in LXDE
The clock panel applet does not work as expected in the newest versions of LXDE. If the clock is set to not show seconds in the display when waking from suspend the clock will not update until the time actually changes in the applet which means it can take up to a minute for the clock to update when seconds are not shown. The work around to this is to display seconds on the clock which allows it to update after suspend within one second. Sadly the clock does not display seconds correctly as it skips them by one to three at least once a minute, often more.
This is also not the first time there have been problems with the panel clock which clearly illustrates this to be an ongoing problem for the developers.
Con Lacks some window management features
There's no built-in way to snap windows to the sides, re-size them by double clicking the bar, or dragging to the edges.
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 Lubuntu install.