KWin and Openbox are both popular window managers, but they serve different purposes and have distinct features.
**KWin:**
- **Integrated with KDE:** KWin is the default window manager for the KDE Plasma desktop environment. It integrates seamlessly with all KDE applications and features.
- **Feature-Rich:** Offers a wide range of effects, animations, and customization options.
- **Compositing:** Comes with built-in compositing, providing smooth transitions and effects.
- **Wayland Support:** Has support for the Wayland display server protocol, which is the future of Linux desktops.
- **Resource Usage:** Generally more resource-intensive compared to lightweight window managers.
**Openbox:**
- **Lightweight:** Known for being very lightweight and fast. It’s a good choice for older or less powerful hardware.
- **Highly Customizable:** While it doesn't come with as many features out-of-the-box as KWin, it’s highly customizable through configuration files.
- **Minimalistic:** Focuses on being minimalistic and getting out of the user's way.
- **No Compositing:** Does not include built-in compositing, but you can use a separate compositor like Compton or Picom if needed.
- **Standalone or with Desktop Environments:** Can be used standalone or with other desktop environments like LXDE or XFCE.
**Which to Choose?**
- **KWin:** If you are using KDE Plasma or want a feature-rich, integrated experience with lots of visual effects and modern features.
- **Openbox:** If you prefer a lightweight, minimalistic environment and are comfortable with manual configuration. This is ideal for older hardware or if you want to build a highly customized desktop setup.
It really depends on your needs and preferences!
