PC-BSD vs DesktopBSD; similarities & differences

Similar to my m0n0wall vs pfSense; similarities & differences post, I thought I’d also post a “PC-BSD vs DesktopBSD; similarities & differences” overview since I get so much trafic from people trying to find out what the similarities and differences are.

A common misconception about DesktopBSD is that it is intended as a rival to PC-BSD as a BSD-based desktop distribution. Neither the DesktopBSD nor the PC-BSD project intend to rival each other; the two projects are completely independent with distinctive features and goals. PC-BSD has introduced a new package management (PBI) that lets you easily install packages, whereas DesktopBSD has developed a graphical utility that makes installing standard FreeBSD packages and ports easy. Let’s have a look at the similarities and the differences.

Similarities

Both based on FreeBSD (Stable) + come with the KDE desktop interface. Neither of the projects has the intention to fork FreeBSD. Instead, all FreeBSD releases are tracked.
Both geared towards desktop use
Easy to administer BSD desktops for the casual user
Graphical and easy installation
Nvidia drivers included; automated detection and configuration of supported cards.

Differences

PC-BSD

is backed by iXsystems with professional support and a paid developer
offers a different/optional packaging method to install binary packages (PBIs) with a simple click & run interface. This installation method is in addition to the standard FreeBSD installation methods (ports and packages(pkg))
Supports Adobe Flash7 & 9

DesktopBSD

is a volunteer project and has a slow release cycle
looks to streamline the whole FreeBSD installation and configuration process with added, easy to use, GUI tools
has created the DesktopBSD Package Manager, a graphical tool for managing, installing and updating standard FreeBSD packages and the FBSD ports system.
has their own package building infrastructure, so up-to-date binary packages for many desktop-related ports are always available
is available for the AMD64 platform