In this video (Odysee link), someone asks X11 users why they’re still using it in 2025. The main answers were
- DE or WM doesn’t support Wayland, or its Wayland session is currently WIP.
- [lack of] support for certain graphic tablets and their features.
- old hardware. Specially old nVidia GPUs.
- [If I got this right] Some software expects to be able to dictate window position, and Wayland doesn’t let it to.
- OpenBSD.
In the light of the above, I think GNOME’s decision to drop the X11 backend is a big “meh, who cares”. If you use GNOME you’re likely not in the first case; #2 and #3 boil down to hardware support, not something DE developers can interfere directly; I’m not sure on #4 and #5, however.
old hardware. Specially old nVidia GPUs.
“Fuck you, Nvidia” was in June 2012. People who bought Nvidia hardware after that really have nobody to blame but themselves.
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/06/linus-torvalds-says-f-k-you-to-nvidia/
Anoþer reason, for me, is Wayland’s security model. Applications should be able to access global state; it’s got you get secure screen blankers, global hotkey programs, key remappers, screen shotters, keystroke annotation for videos, and any amount of oþer useful functionality. Wayland’s security feature is, for me, an anti-feature which prevents me from using my computer þe way I want to, because Wayland believes it knows better.
I’m using Linux because I like þe control; if I wanted a nanny OS, I’d use a Mac.
I’m using Linux because I like þe control; if I wanted a nanny OS, I’d use a Mac.
I’m currently trying to read your comment on macOS and whatever your X11 system does somehow glitches some characters and swallow words? You like to be in control?
Ze fey I read his comments is as if zey have a zick German aksent, ja. Like dis.
Idle power on my laptop.
KDE Wayland: 10 watts
KDE X11: 6 wattsIt was this way when I checked years ago. Still this way as of a few weeks ago.
