Whether you should use Omega 4.x or Omega 3.x really depends on how much you want to rely on the user interface for building layouts as this is no longer included in the 4.x branch. If you are okay with a possible lack of documentation and the fact that Omega 4.x does not come with a layout builder as 3.x did then you should definitely prefer the 4.x branch.
Differences between Omega 3.x and 4.x
Layout |
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HTML5 |
Yes |
Yes |
No, but you can add it in yourself |
Yes, but it is not required. You could always just create and edit CSS files if desired, though use of Sass is recommended. |
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Susy / Singularity / Other Sass grid system |
No |
Yes, using a Sass-based grid system is recommended. |
Breakpoints |
The breakpoints (within media queries) are editable from the theme settings interface. |
Breakpoints are set within the Sass/CSS, preferably through Breakpoint. They are not editable via the user interface. |
CSS |
Five main stylesheets: global, default, narrow, normal, and wide. Plus some Omega basics for forms, text, branding and more that you may disable if desired. |
The two starterkits included promote a maintainable "http://smacss.com/">SMACSS based structure (which generally means keeping media queries with components/SMACSS modules), but you can organize your stylesheets however you like. |
Polyfill js libraries |
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Extensions |
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Development |
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Panels |
Works with panels. |
Omega layouts will be usable in the panels UI, plus context module integration. |
Summary |
Omega + Delta is a slam dunk way to create highly customized layouts for your site, and any of the site sections that may vary with layouts. The downside is that the tablets often need custom code to account for the fact that portrait orientations are too skinny to fit 3+ columns side by side. And it is challenging to create with a multi-layout totally fluid site. |
This version of Omega is completely targeted at moderate to advanced themers. Because it's driven by Sass+Susy it will be incredibly easy and powerful to generate layouts for totally custom breakpoints if you are comfortable working in code. There are fewer options in the GUI in Omega 4.x. Instead, Omega 4.x is about giving you a "Theme API" to work with. |
Fringe Scenarios |
Nested Regions (for complex layouts) can be very difficult/tricky. If your layout requires regions within regions, you may be better off with panels or you can try this "http://drupal.org/node/1230110#comment-4783876">solution. If you are looking to do multiple fluid layouts without a bunch of inline media queries, try this approach. If you want to be able to rearrange the order of your regions for mobile only, for example printing the sidebar first before the content, this is easy to do with Omega. Any set of regions within a zone can be positoned in a different order on mobile vs. other layouts. |