each launcher changes something in some way shape or form, each provides faster, smoother, and more functionality. the only way to really know which one is best, is to try them all, and determine which one is right for you.

i myself choose nova launcher.

 

I had Go with GB and had increased usability over stock, with ICS I haven't tried one yet, but have read that Go is not optimized for ICS, there are others people like better.

 

I'd say a launcher is more of a desktop experience and that the UI is provided by the OS and manufacturer (e.g. Sense or TouchWiz).

Any app will inherit the look and feel of the ROM, regardless of whatever launcher fired it off.

 

I would say the launch Is how you interact with your apps and the reason to change for me was options. I use and love adw launcher ex I can customize how the app drawer looks and how many screens I have to how the icons looks and how many I can put on one page.. it also allows you to resize widgets which is a life saver to me. Plus I can backup my settings and screen config to the sd card for when I change roms

 

Does the phone have to be rooted to get the other launchers to work? Probably a dumb question, but I don't know...

 

No, you do not need to be rooted to run custom launchers.

 

Like all have said it all different and i think my favorite is apex its alot smooher on my S3 then others.

 

That would be custom ROMs. Launchers can be installed on any device (provided the app supports their version of Android).
I myself use Nova on both my Jelly Bean devices. It only supports ICS and up and is pretty minimalist. Go Launcher has a ton of themes and tweaks available for it to make everything your own.

 

Have tried most all of them and keep going back to nova. Very smooth.

 

I've tried most, but no ICS specific launchers. I keep coming back to "launcher 7" . Lots of great options come with it.
As was mentioned, it doesn't hurt anything to give em a try. You can always go back.

 

A single registry was a windows concept. Since Android is based off Linux (and thus Unix) it doesn't have anything like this.

 

Any comments on how Nova works with ICS?

 

On the whole it works well.

I have Nova on both my Xoom and my S3. I have to admit I'm a bit of a convert.

 

In nova I Trust

 

I really like Launcher 7. Quick scroll of your live tiles, tiles are easy to hit with one hand or while in car dock, and easy to setup.

 

I have used launchers mainly for a 5x5 grid. I hate the 4x4 of the stock. I also like being able to resize any widget and also change an icon I don't like to something better. But, I always come back to stock. I am currently stock.

 

launcher 7 eh...looks very cool..shall give it a try

 

apex fast and smooth

 

tried launcher 7...not as cool as nova...but hey its my opinion

 

I tried launcher 7 ages ago and would switch back and forth between some others. Then L7 just stuck to me and has become my fav launcher. It is more customizable IMHO in a lot of ways I didn't notice at first. It really grew on me and now it is my number one launcher. I like the list view of folders a lot. And using custom colors for backgrounds it is easy to blend icon backgrounds into the wallpaper for a unique look. There are options I had not noticed before and use exclusively now.
I used to be a GO fan, but no more, that UI has to much going on.
Still on GB or I'd post up a screenie of my L7 sweetness.

 

Actually I did not try it much as i felt very insecure without nova (i know, i know lol !)
do try taking a snip of it and try posting it here...or hyperlink it from anywhere

 

Nova Prime is a beast, and based on ICS - with some JB treats. GO is too bloated and is based on GB. Never tried Apex. Back in the day, I had LauncherPro Plus, along with half the world, but that's dead and long gone now. Try any of them yourself as most have free versions, then upgrade to the Prime/Plus/Pro versions. You won't regret it.