Ubuntu 22.04.1 Variant Review: Unity, Cinnamon, and Kylin Compared

On August 11, Ubuntu released version 22.04.1, and several Ubuntu‑based flavors also launched their 22.04.1 updates: Unity, Cinnamon, and the Chinese‑focused Kylin.

Ubuntu Unity is a lightweight desktop that supports Flatpak and Snap, relies on GNOME components, hides GNOME from the login screen, and uses a purple theme. It is one of the more memory‑efficient flavors.

Ubuntu Cinnamon requires over 16 GB of disk space, provides a larger swap (2.1 GB), uses Cinnamon 5.2.7 (newer 5.4.2 available), and includes both Snap Store and Software Center. It is not the lightest but offers scaling support.

Kylin (Ubuntu Kylin) is a China‑oriented Ubuntu variant with its own UKUI desktop, derived from MATE but now distinct, featuring a Windows‑like interface, Chinese input methods, and its own app store. It is slightly lighter than GNOME and familiar to Windows migrants.

Test data for the three flavors show the following resource usage:

Unity: 11 GB disk, 75 % used; 645 MB RAM, 6 MB shared, 916 MB cache.

Cinnamon: 12 GB disk, 71 % used; 826 MB RAM, 8 MB shared, 909 MB cache.

Kylin: 12 GB disk, 79 % used; 669 MB RAM, 15 MB shared, 724 MB cache.

Other Ubuntu derivatives such as DDE, TrueOS, Elementary OS, Pop!_OS, Bodhi, Linux Mint, and Budgie are mentioned but have no new 22.04.1 releases.

In summary, the three variants remain closely tied to the upstream Ubuntu base, share the Ubiquity installer, and differ mainly in desktop environment, theming, and resource footprint.