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KDE Plasma offers more documented customization overall, particularly for reshaping desktop and panel layouts, arranging widgets, and applying themes that combine multiple appearance settings. Budgie can also be personalized through its panels, applets, Raven sidebar, and themes, but its project describes the desktop as a more deliberately curated experience. This is a comparison of documented feature scope—not a benchmark or hands-on test.
How the customization approaches differ
Plasma is built around flexibility: KDE describes configuring it through System Settings and adding community widgets to the desktop or panels. Its modular model gives users several ways to change both layout and appearance. KDE’s Plasma overview and its developer documentation describe that approach.
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Budgie offers meaningful controls too, but its project frames the goal as a balanced, curated desktop with reasonable personalization available out of the box and further possibilities through applets. That is a difference in emphasis, not proof that Budgie is easier for every user or that Plasma is better for every workflow. Budgie’s project statement explains its design intent.
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Panels, desktop layouts, and widgets
Plasma lets users add, remove, move, resize, and configure widgets on the desktop or panels. Users can also configure panels and use multiple panels, making it possible to change where launchers, task controls, and other elements sit. KDE’s panel guide covers panel configuration.
#1 Best Overall
- Brilliant Color Illumination- With 11 unique backlights, choose the perfect ambiance for any mood. Adjust light speed and brightness among 5 levels for a comfortable environment, day or night. The double injection ABS keycaps ensure clear backlight and precise typing. From late-night tasks to immersive gaming, our mechanical keyboard enhances every experience
- Support Macro Editing: The K671 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard can be macro editing, you can remap the keys function, set shortcuts, or combine multiple key functions in one key to get more efficient work and gaming. The LED Backlit Effects also can be adjusted by the software（note: the color can not be changed）
- Hot-swappable Linear Red Switch- Our K671 gaming keyboard features red switch, which requires less force to press down and the keys feel smoother and easier to use. It's best for rpgs and mmo, imo games. You will get 4 spare switches and two red keycaps to exchange the key switch when it does not work.
- Full keys Anti-ghosting- All keys can work simultaneously, easily complete any combining functions without conflicting keys. 12 multimedia key shortcuts allow you to quickly access to calculator/media/volume control/email
- Professional After-Sales Service- We provide every Redragon customer with 24-Month Warranty , Please feel free to contact us when you meet any problem. We will spare no effort to provide the best service to every customer
Widgets are part of Plasma’s modular model rather than being limited to a fixed desktop arrangement. Community downloads extend the options, although documentation of an ecosystem does not establish that every individual widget is maintained or works equally well.
Global themes and appearance settings
Plasma’s global themes can bundle several visual and layout elements, including panel layout templates, icon themes, Plasma styles and color schemes, task switchers, splash screens, and lock-screen themes. Appearance settings also cover areas such as application style, window decorations, icons, cursors, and splash screens; KDE documents these in its System Settings appearance guide.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connection Keyboard: AULA F75 Pro wireless mechanical keyboards work with Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless and USB wired connection, can connect up to five devices at the same time, and easily switch by shortcut keys or side button. F75 Pro computer keyboard is suitable for PC, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, PS, XBOX etc, to meet all the needs of users. In addition, the rechargeable keyboard is equipped with a 4000mAh large-capacity battery, which has long-lasting battery life
- Hot-swap Custom Keyboard: This custom mechanical keyboard with hot-swappable base supports 3-pin or 5-pin switches replacement. Even keyboard beginners can easily DIY there own keyboards without soldering issue. F75 Pro gaming keyboards equipped with pre-lubricated stabilizers and LEOBOG reaper switches, bring smooth typing feeling and pleasant creamy mechanical sound, provide fast response for exciting game
- Advanced Structure and PCB Single Key Slotting: This thocky heavy mechanical keyboard features a advanced structure, extended integrated silicone pad, and PCB single key slotting, better optimizes resilience and stability, making the hand feel softer and more elastic. Five layers of filling silencer fills the gap between the PCB, the positioning plate and the shaft,effectively counteracting the cavity noise sound of the shaft hitting the positioning plate, and providing a solid feel
- 16.8 Million RGB Backlit: F75 Pro light up led keyboard features 16.8 million RGB lighting color. With 16 pre-set lighting effects to add a great atmosphere to the game. And supports 10 cool music rhythm lighting effects with driver. Lighting brightness and speed can be adjusted by the knob or the FN + key combination. You can select the single color effect as wish. And you can turn off the backlight if you do not need it
- Professional Gaming Keyboard: No matter the outlook, the construction, or the function, F75 Pro mechanical keyboard is definitely a professional gaming keyboard. This 81-key 75% layout compact keyboard can save more desktop space while retaining the necessary arrow keys for gaming. Additionally, with the multi-function knob, you can easily control the backlight and Media. Keys macro programmable, you can customize the function of single key or key combination function through F75 driver to increase the probability of winning the game and improve the work efficiency. N key rollover, and supports WIN key lock to prevent accidental touches in intense games
A theme that includes a desktop layout can replace existing desktop, panel, dock, and widget configuration when applied. Review the theme’s settings before applying a layout if you want to preserve your current arrangement. KDE explains this behavior in its Global Theme documentation.
What Budgie lets you personalize
Panels and applets
Budgie 10.10 exposes panel and applet settings through Budgie Desktop Settings. Documented panel controls include position at screen edges, size, transparency, and auto-hide. Budgie’s earlier project notes also describe vertical panels, dock mode, panel sizing, transparency modes, auto-hide, and applet management, showing that its customization extends beyond a single fixed layout. See the Budgie FAQ and the Budgie 10.4 release notes.
Rank #3
- The Keychron C2 (non-backlight version) is a 104 keys full size wired retro color keycaps mechanical keyboard made for Mac and Windows. Engineered to maximize your productivity with most popular full size layout with number pad.
- With a layout optimized for Mac, the C2 has all necessary multimedia and function keys (Num Lock works with Windows only), while compatible with Windows, and comes with a dedicated Siri or Cortana key. Extra keycaps for both Mac and Windows operating systems are included.
- Designed with reliability in mind, the C2 comes with USB Type-C wired connection with a braid cable, which ensures a constant power supply, and best to fit home and light gaming. Inclined bottom frame and 2 level adjustable feet (6˚ & 9˚) makes the C2 more comfortable to type.
- The pre-installed tactile Keychron switch providing unrivaled tactile responsiveness with up to 50 million keystroke durable lifespan.
- Outfitted the C2 Non-Backlight version with retro-inspired color scheme looks as good in the office as it does in the game room.
Raven and themes
Raven is Budgie’s notification-center and widget sidebar. The project documents widgets such as a calendar and media controls, alongside controls for choosing themes. A 2023 project review describes a pluggable Raven widget API and third-party widget development in C, Python, and Vala; that establishes extensibility, not the maintenance or availability of every third-party widget. See Budgie’s 2023 review.
Budgie’s theme controls include GTK/widget, icon, and cursor themes. In Budgie 10.10 under labwc, window-decoration theming is a separate compositor-related setting; the Budgie project’s 10.10.2 release notes and development update describe that context. It is not a universal control independent of the session or compositor.
Rank #4
- 【Dreamy Rainbow Gaming Keyboard】K521 Gaming Keyboard Adopts a Different LED Backlight Design, Upgraded on the Traditional LED Backlight Effect, Making the Light More Penetrating, Giving You a More Dazzling Visual Effect, Making Your Gaming Process More Enjoyable
- 【One Touch Opens & Visual Feast】The K521 Red Dragon Keyboard has a One-Touch on/off Lighting Button for Added Convenience. It also has a Three-Position Adjustable Breathing Mode and a Four-Position Adjustable Brightness Lighting Mode
- 【Mechanical Feeling & Fast Tapping】The PC Keyboard Keys are Designed for Mechanical Feeling, Giving You a Better Feel During Use and the Ability to Trigger Keys Quickly, Allowing You to Win All Your Games
- 【19 Keys Anti-Ghosting Keyboard】Anti-Ghosting Ensures Every Button Can Be Triggered. This Allows You to Trigger Key Combinations In The Game Accurately, And Each Skill Can Be Accurately Released to Increase Your Winning Rate. Redragon K521 Will Be Your Perfect Partner
- 【12 Multimedia Combination Keys】The K521 Wired Gaming Keyboard is Equipped with 12 Multimedia Keys That Can Greatly Enhance Your Gaming/Office Efficiency and Make It More Convenient to Use
Which should you choose?
| What you want to customize | Better documented fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Panel and desktop arrangement | KDE Plasma | Panels and desktop widgets can be configured as modular parts, and global themes can include layout changes. |
| Widgets and extensions | KDE Plasma | Widgets are a prominent part of Plasma’s desktop and panel model, with community downloads. Budgie offers applets and Raven widgets, including a documented third-party API. |
| Bundled appearance and layout changes | KDE Plasma | Global themes can combine multiple appearance elements and layout templates, with the trade-off that applying a layout may replace existing configuration. |
| A curated desktop with built-in personalization | Budgie may suit this preference | Budgie documents panel, applet, Raven, and theme controls while explicitly describing its design goal as curated. |
Choose Plasma if your priority is the broadest documented scope for rearranging the desktop and combining layout and visual changes. Choose Budgie if its curated approach suits you and its documented panel, applet, Raven, and theme options cover what you want to change. Neither project’s feature documentation establishes which environment will feel more intuitive or which customized setup will be more stable for a particular person.
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Budgie’s available controls depend on release and session context. Its documentation identifies 10.10 as the latest stable Wayland line, Budgie 11 as current development, and 10.9.x as the legacy X11 line. The separate labwc decoration setting in 10.10.2 is an example of why compositor context matters. Check the Budgie documentation for the version and session you actually use; distributions may package different releases.
Best Value
- Tactile Quiet mechanical key switches with a satisfying tactile bump you feel - for precise feedback, reactive key reset, and less noise so your typing doesn't disturb those around you
- Low-profile keys, more comfort: A keyboard layout designed for effortless precision, with a full-size form factor and low-profile mechanical switches for better ergonomics
- Smart illumination: Backlit keys light up the moment your hands approach the cordless keyboard and automatically adjust to suit changing lighting conditions
- Faster workflow, more customization: Customize Fn keys, assign backlighting effects, enable Flow cross-computer, multi-device control, and more in the improved Logi Options+ (1)
- Multi-device, multi-OS: Pair MX Mechanical Bluetooth wireless keyboard with up to 3 devices on nearly any operating system via Bluetooth Low Energy or included Logi Bolt receiver(2)
These comparisons describe project-documented controls, not a same-distribution, same-hardware usability or stability test. The number of available settings alone cannot establish how intuitive customization will be or how well a particular collection of extensions will be maintained.
Quick Recap
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