While
the MATE Desktop provides the essential user applications and tools to control
and use your computer, MATE adds a collection of additional applications to turn your
computer into a truly powerful workstation. These additional applications include productivity and office
applications, applications for managing the documents you create, entertainment and games, accessibility, and more. Naturally, you'll also find a firewall, a backup application, a document/photo scanner, printer management, and designed-in security, all included in MATE.
If that's not enough, MATE's Software Boutique and optional Software Centers provide searchable access to additional software choices from Ubuntu's repositories. The Ubuntu software repositories include thousands of applications in hundreds of categories, suitable for just about any professional or recreational pursuit, and the majority of them are free of charge.