The image on the right is how the settings app look on macOS 12. On macOS 13 (2022) it was changed to look more to the one on the left, with all the sections selectable in a sidebar and a smaller window. Many users have complained about it, saying that it sacrificed function for form and is part of making macOS more like iOS by mindlessly copying phone UIs onto computers which it isn’t meant for. I think its alright, not terrible. And it’s the norm with settings apps looking like that in Windows, KDE, Gnome, and some other DEs.
Left. Left. Absolutely left, oh my god.
Fun fact: KDE’s settings app used to look the one on the right up until a few years ago, too.
The right was fine, honestly. At least on macOS, the new “modern” version is an utter clusterfuck. As for complaints about being unable to pick a different option when one of them is open, in macOS you have a View menu with all of them available to select from on either one.
Having said that, a list/search area to the left of the panel is probably preferable if done properly.
I still remember when it was the right. I just clicked whenever to try to find what I wanted. Still kind do it on now too, but it’s not as bad as it once was in terms of organisation. Things have started to make sense.
I prefer right for browsing.
Though, I use search to find the setting I’m looking for 99% of the time, anyway.
if i could choose, i would get the left, but right is fine too
KDE Plasma used to have one like the one on the right a few years ago, and I was so glad when they ditched it. I strongly prefer the organized look of the left one. I always had a hard time finding anything in the old KDE/MacOS settings.
The new settings app in macOS is a ridiculous wall of text. So I prefer the one on the right.
I use KDE for technical reasons, but I pretty much prefer Gnome’s settings and generally their whole UI design.
Speaking of the image, I prefer KDE’s settings. Apple’s is too dumbed down and slower to navigate.
