Some sites to reference:
http://androidforums.com/threads/difference-between-launcher-and-custom-rom.771963/http://hubmesh.com/android-launchers-vs-custom-rom.htmlcoppertube just posted this recently:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMtZ8Cvz4LQ Lots of info there.
But basically a phone/android rom is an OS. all the programming needed to work with your hardware to make things work. Think of Windows/OSX/Linux and so on.
A launcher for me is kind of like the Windows apps i installed when i first used windows 8 and 10. What they did is installed on top of windows 8 and 10 and made the look and feel of it like old style windows (anything 7 and below). The start menu and such. So launchers kind of use the ROM as the core but tweak stuff to make your phone work how you want it to.
I changed both on my GPD for 1 main reason. I like control over my device and I never feel in control with a stock ROM. Stock ROMS are generally filled with what is called "Bloatware". For example samsung devices come with all the samsung bells and whistles whether you like it or not. Samsung music, store, whatever they are called. I just dont like them, use them, or want them. (Bunch of stuff from mobile carrier, sprint, verizon junk too). As far as the GPD I didn't use it too long but I still was more comfortable using a custom ROM.
The rom i used is pre rooted and very clean. The person that made the rom (skelton) did an awesome job of stripping everything down to the bare minimum and tweaked it to run the GPD as fast and efficient as possible (IMO). Even with custom roms for phone i usually had to still delete apps and freeze them so they dont slow my phone down. Skelton did such a good job i dont think i took out anything.
The stock rom is pretty easy to use (the one you use) but Im never certain of what's running in the background. Im not sure what launcher is used for it either but it seems pretty user friendly. If you dont feel comfortable with changing stuff then it should work fine for you.
If you want to jump into totally customizing your GPD just post any questions here. This seems like a nice community from what i have seen and very helpful. If nothing else I can help when needed (with my limited knowledge hehe)
I use this custom ROM here.
[ Click ]The instructional video for it if you need it:
[ Click ]I use Square Home 2 Launcher as my MAIN:
[ Click ]( I payed for the key/pro version )
And I use Halauncher as sort of a rom browser/launcher so you can launch games from a shortcut and use cover art. :
[ Click ] (free)
You can kind of see how mine works with this video ( my gpd setup ) :
[ Click ]Its all Square launcher until I click on Hal shortcut at 0:33 to 0:43 . I still dont have many rom/games/emus loaded cause im still working on theming the whole thing.
Before you decide on what to do i also suggest you google search terms like: "why root?" "pros cons of root"
ok enough ranting, let me know what way you want to go and what questions you have.
