Tired of desktop environments (DEs) that keep “improving” things that already worked perfectly? Does your modern Linux desktop feel like it was designed for someone else’s workflow? Well, MATE preserves the old way of using a computer—and here’s why it’s the best DE for retro enthusiasts.What makes MATE perfect for retro computing When I talk about retro computing enthusiasts in the Linux world, I’m not necessarily talking about people running hardware from the ’90s or folks who want an 8-bit, pixelated display.I’m talking about a much deeper longing—people who miss the way desktop computing felt in the 2000s.
A time when: Performance mattered more than animation.Interfaces were designed for keyboard and mouse input—not touchscreens.The desktop was a place to keep files and icons, not just a backdrop for a wallpaper.
Menu items were front and center, not hidden behind hamburger icons for the sake of minimalism.For these folks, MATE stands out as the ideal desktop environment—and here are three reasons why.The GNOME 2 codebase made compatible for the modern era When GNOME decided to radically reinvent the desktop paradigm with GNOME 3 in 2011, the Linux community split.
Many people weren’t ready to abandon the menu-and-panel workflow they had mastered over years of use.MATE emerged from that moment as a direct continuation of the GNOME 2 codebase.If you used Ubuntu between 2004 and 2011, firing up MATE today triggers instant recognition—the panels, the menu structure, the applet system—everything works exactly as you remember.
That said, MATE isn’t just by GNOME 2—it literally GNOME 2, forked and actively maintained.The developers continue to update dependencies, patch security vulnerabilities, and ensure compatibility with modern Linux systems.There’s support for HiDPI scaling on high-resolution displays.
The file manager handles modern filesystems and network protocols without issue.Also, at the time of writing, Wayland support is in development, ensuring MATE won’t be left behind as the Linux ecosystem gradually moves away from X11.What makes this particularly compelling for retro computing enthusiasts is that you get the authentic GNOME 2 interface paired with a secure, modern foundation.
You can genuinely daily drive this desktop on your main work computer.It’s nostalgia without compromise.You’re not running outdated software—you’re running an actively maintained desktop that preserves a beloved and functional workflow most mainstream operating systems have abandoned.
Can be customized to look like other retro operating systems MATE might not be as customizable as KDE Plasma, but it still offers an extensive customization system that can fundamentally change how the desktop looks and behaves.It’s possible to recreate the aesthetic of classic operating systems and desktop environments like Windows XP, Mac OS X, Ubuntu during its Unity era, and more.Many of these layouts come preconfigured through the MATE Tweak app, but you can also create your own from scratch.
MATE offers a remarkably flexible panel system which lets you add, remove, and rearrange panel applets however you like—similar to KDE Plasma.The desktop supports multiple panels at once and gives you granular control over panel size, position, auto-hide behavior, and background transparency.You also get excellent theming support.
Because MATE is based on GNOME, it’s compatible with most GTK 2 and GTK 3 themes.This opens the door to hundreds of themes that capture the retro look and feel of classic operating systems.All of this flexibility means MATE isn’t just for users who want to preserve the GNOME 2 experience.
It’s equally well-suited for anyone who wants to recreate the look and workflow of almost any classic desktop.In that sense, MATE isn’t just nostalgic—it’s a versatile platform for retro computing in all its forms.Actively resists unnecessary trends Desktop environments love to chase trends and spice things up from time to time.
They redesign workflows, reimagine user interfaces, and fundamentally change how you interact with your computer—whether you want them to or not.MATE takes the opposite approach: don’t fix what isn’t broken.GNOME 2’s take on the traditional desktop paradigm—customizable panels, explicit menus, and visible window controls—doesn’t need reimagining.
It worked in 2004, it worked in 2011, and it still works today.For many folks, it remains one of the most efficient ways to get work done, and MATE respects that.Even desktop environments that started with similar goals of preserving the traditional desktop tend to experiment over time.
Cinnamon, for example, began as a GNOME 2–inspired fork but has consistently introduced interface changes and new features.The latest Cinnamon 6.6 release reorganized the application menu, and many people are complaining that the changes broke their years of muscle memory.MATE, by contrast, is deliberately conservative.
Its development philosophy prioritizes stability and predictability over reinvention.That doesn’t mean it rejects progress outright—when a trend is objectively better, MATE adopts it.Wayland, for instance, offers clear security and efficiency advantages over X11, and MATE is moving in that direction.
But forcing people into new interaction models—such as prioritizing virtual desktops over application taskbars—isn’t an improvement.It’s a shift to a different paradigm.It’s change for the sake of change, and MATE doesn’t play that game.
MATE in 2026 works almost identical to MATE in 2016.Subscribe to the newsletter for MATE and retro desktop insights Dive deeper—subscribe to the newsletter for focused coverage of MATE, retro desktop styling, customization guidance, and distro recommendations.It's the place for in-depth reads about classic Linux desktops and related desktop-environment topics.
Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can unsubscribe anytime.There’s an interesting side effect to this approach.
As other desktop environments continue to modernize and evolve, MATE becomes more distinctly retro simply by standing still.Like a well-aged wine, it gains value without needing to change.With each passing year, MATE becomes a more authentic time capsule of the classic Linux desktop experience.
What are the best distros for experiencing MATE MATE can be installed on virtually any Linux distro, but some offer a better experience than others.My primary recommendation is Ubuntu MATE, which is also maintained by members of the MATE development team.With it, you’re essentially experiencing MATE as it was intended by its developers—in its full GNOME 2 glory.
However, if your first instinct after installing MATE is to switch to a Windows XP-layout, then Linux Mint MATE Edition is the better choice.It’s one of the most popular distros with an official MATE spin, and it comes preconfigured to deliver a distinctly retro, Windows-like experience.
Read More
