The only problem is, if you use xfce for any length of time it is horrible going back to any other DM.

Don't even attempt to use a modern windows install, you end up feeling that it is actually broken!

Xfce always felt like Linux to me. Like sure, there are other interfaces, but this is the Linux one.

I want an ARM laptop with expandable memory, user-replaceable battery, second SSD bay, and a well-supported GNU/Linux OS that has xfce as the UI - from the factory. That's the dream machine.

I put Gentoo+Xfce on Lenovo x86. Not sure what to do about touch display and rotate (fancy laptop).

I've not tried an ARM laptop but this setup also works on RPi.

IMO, better to install yourself. Too much potential for the manufacturer to add adware annoyances in a pre-install.

Although, mine is an x86-centric take. There are occasionally issues around getting the right kernel for ARM, right? So maybe it would be helpful there.

Xfce was my favorite until I found i3/sway. Even more responsive, and less mouse required since everything is first and foremost a keyboard shortcut, from workspace switching to resizing and splitting windows.

Xfce is very configurable, and it's fairly trivial to set up tiling-WM-style keyboard shortcuts for window positioning, and get the best of both worlds.

Less mouse is required, but less mouse is permitted. It's just "less mouse". Sometimes I just want to use the mouse.

(if you only want keyboard then i3/Sway is great though, obviously)

True, I find resizing and tiling specifically a 3 window screen in a 1/2, 1/4, 1/4 setup to be impossible to figure out - often I just move windows around repeatedly until I give up. If I could drag directly it would definitely make it easier. But that's relatively rare for me.

I have Super+Numpad assigned as window positioning hotkeys in XFCE. First window would be Super+4 to position it on the left half of the screen. Next two would be Super+9 and Super+3 respectively to position each in the upper-right and upper-left corners. Super+5 maximizes.

Sway actually has really good mouse support! Try dragging windows around while holding the $mod key :)

WOW! I had no idea. That's awesome, thanks for informing me :)

XFCE's goal is also implement a stable, efficient, and versatile DE that adheres to standard desktop conventions, rather than to import all of the limitations and encumbrances of mobile UIs onto the desktop in the mistaken belief that desktop computing is "dead".

The XFCE Terminal uses VTE. This makes no sense.