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Unity 2D was a set of individual applicationscite-ref-2d-components-35-0[35] developed for environments that Compiz does not run on, such as when graphics card does not support OpenGL. They were written in the GUI building language QML from the widespread Qt framework.cite-ref-2d-qml-36-0[36] By default Unity 2D used the Metacity window managercite-ref-2d-components-35-1[35] but could also use accelerated window managers like Compiz or KWin. In Ubuntu 11.10, Unity 2D used Metacity's XRender-based compositor to achieve transparency effects. Starting with Ubuntu 11.10, Unity 2D replaced the classic GNOME Panel as the fall-back for users whose hardware could not run the Compiz version of Unity.cite-ref-omg27may11-37-0[37]

Unity 2D was discontinued for the release of Ubuntu 12.10 in October 2012, as the 3D version became more capable of running on lower-powered hardware.cite-ref-38[38]

As Unity and the supporting Ayatana projectscite-ref-39[39] are developed primarily for Ubuntu and Ubuntu was the first to offer new versions.

Outside of Ubuntu, other Linux distributors have tried to pick up Ayatana, with varying success. The Ayatana components require modification of other applications, which increases the complexity for adoption by others.

• Arch Linux offers many Ayatana components, including Unity and Unity 2D, via an unofficial repository or through AUR.cite-ref-40[40]

• Fedora does not offer Unity in its default repositories because Unity requires unsupported patches to GTK.cite-ref-41[41] However Unity 6 has been ported to Fedora 17 and can be installed through a branch in the openSUSE repositories where the patches are applied.cite-ref-42[42] Newer Fedora and Unity versions are not supported.cite-ref-sdb-unity-43-0[43]

• Frugalware had adopted Ayatana, including Unity and Unity 2D, as part of the development branch for an upcoming Frugalware release but the project is no longer maintained.cite-ref-44[44]

• openSUSE offers many Ayatana components for GNOME.cite-ref-45[45] After the packager abandoned the project because of problems with the then-current version of Compiz,cite-ref-46[46] new developers picked up the task and provide packages for openSUSE 12.2 (along with versions for Arch Linux and Fedora 17). Newer openSUSE and Unity versions are not supported.cite-ref-sdb-unity-43-1[43]

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