We switched off Linux Lite’s generic app naming to get a better overview of the default selections. Significantly, the choices are cross-platform favourites that should be recognisable. The included applications include office tasks thanks to LibreOffice, media playback thanks to VLC, and image-editing in GIMP. There is also a decent selection of smaller utilities for tasks such as file backup and a partition manager. This default selection could cover 90% of everyday tasks.
The Ubuntu selection covers similar ground, but the choices tend more to classic Gnome staples rather than well-known cross-platform apps. Music manager Rhythmbox and photo manager Shotwell follow the Gnome ethos of simple interfaces with easily discoverable functions. These apps are highly usable for average users, but not very well known outside of Linux.
Linux Mint also covers the basics with LibreOffice and a selection of small Gnome-associated utilities, but we wonder if a newcomer might have liked a few extras here and there.
Pop!_OS comes with a set of apps and utilities that cover the basics. In its favour, the selections should present a consistent experience for a user unfamiliar with Linux.
MX Linux has the greatest number of installed applications here. Many of the selections have a gadgety feel and there is a tendency towards lightweight choices. Strawberry music organiser is a fork of the excellent Clementine of KDE fame and Geany is a fairly comprehensive text editor. MX Linux also has the largest selection of custom utilities. This all adds up to is a mix of apps without much consistency but it does cover most areas.