I have tried using the Ubuntu Unity desktop and can say that in spite of a few week’s use, it has not grown on me one iota. In fact, it drives me nuts not being able to find a running application, or to start a new instance of a running application, or not to have things tucked into nicely hidden menus.
Ubuntu Unity is a horrible mess of a user interface, a colossal misstep by Canonical which sets Ubuntu back by years. The day that a sensible desktop is no longer available for Ubuntu and all that’s left is Unity is the day I’m leaving Ubuntu for good.
Update: This handy script will help downgrade Gnome3 to Gnome 2, which is what I need to do after flubbing the removal of Unity.
XFCE is your friend.