When comparing Kubuntu vs Ubuntu GNOME, the Slant community recommends Kubuntu for most people. In the question“What are the best Linux distributions for Mac?” Kubuntu is ranked 10th while Ubuntu GNOME is ranked 20th. The most important reason people chose Kubuntu is:
Unlike some abandoned, unfinished distros, Kubuntu is up to date and offers a fully functional desktop environment that targets workstation users.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Full featured desktop environment that is actively developed
Unlike some abandoned, unfinished distros, Kubuntu is up to date and offers a fully functional desktop environment that targets workstation users.
Pro Stable as hell
Super stable, never crashes.
Pro Good hardware recognition
Pro Everything is highly customizable
Pro It also has paid technical support available
Pro Comes preinstalled in several laptops and desktops
Comes preinstalled in several laptops and desktops. (Tuxedo, Slimbook, laptopWithLinux.com, Kubuntu Focus, Vant and other companies).
Pro An outstanding number of packages and PPAs, backports PPA
Pro Kubuntu Focus Suite provides highly tested, curated ecosystem for pros
Pro Very stable
Kubuntu is very stable, you can easily install the appropriate Nvidia drivers for your machines, and not have dependency problems whatsoever. KDE offers a great user experience, and Dolphin is a great file manager.
Pro Customizable
You can easily adjust the workspace to your needs.
Pro Light
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!
Cons
Con Often unstable
There have been several bugs reported. Some of these bugs are: shutting down randomly, refusing to boot, refusing to shut down, menus may act strange, icons may disappear, etc.
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.