Manjaro Linux is a popular, user-friendly, and powerful Linux distribution based on Arch Linux. It is designed to make the power of Arch accessible to everyday users without the complexity of a manual installation.
Here is a breakdown of what makes Manjaro unique, its pros and cons, and who it is for.
1. The Core Philosophy: “Arch, Made Easy”
Arch Linux is famous for being a “rolling release” (you install it once and update it forever) and for being highly customizable. However, it is notoriously difficult to install and maintain for beginners. Manjaro bridges this gap by:
- Providing an easy graphical installer (Calamares).
- Automating hardware detection: Manjaro automatically identifies your hardware (like Nvidia drivers) and installs the necessary software during setup.
- Curated Updates: While Arch Linux releases packages as soon as they hit the repositories, Manjaro holds them back for about two weeks. This is to test for stability, ensuring that updates don’t break your system.
2. Key Features
- Rolling Release Model: You never need to “reinstall” the OS for a new version. You simply keep your system updated, and you always have the latest software.
- Access to the AUR: Manjaro has full access to the Arch User Repository (AUR), which is arguably the largest collection of software available for any Linux distribution. If a program exists for Linux, it is almost certainly in the AUR.
- Multiple Desktop Environments: Manjaro comes in three “official” flavors (XFCE, KDE Plasma, and GNOME) and several community-maintained editions (like Sway, i3, and Budgie).
- Pamac: Manjaro uses its own custom package manager called Pamac. It is arguably the best graphical package manager on Linux, allowing you to easily install software from the official repos, the AUR, Flatpaks, and Snaps in one simple window.
- Kernel Management: Manjaro makes it incredibly easy to switch between different versions of the Linux kernel (e.g., if a new kernel breaks your Wi-Fi, you can click a button to revert to a previous stable one).
3. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Ease of use: It is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to get started with an Arch-based system.
- Huge Software Library: The combination of Arch repos and the AUR means you rarely need to hunt for
.debor.rpmfiles on the internet. - Community Support: Because it is so popular, if you run into an issue, there is almost always a solution on the Manjaro forums or the Arch Wiki.
Cons:
- The “Two-Week Delay”: Advanced Arch users sometimes dislike this because they want the “bleeding edge” updates immediately.
- Stability Concerns: Occasionally, large updates can cause issues. Because Manjaro holds updates back, they can sometimes cause “partial upgrade” conflicts if not handled carefully (though this is rare for the average user).
- Reputation: The Manjaro development team has faced criticism in the past regarding management, security certificate expirations, and their approach to the AUR. While the OS itself remains highly functional, some “purist” Linux users prefer Arch Linux or EndeavourOS over Manjaro.
4. Who is Manjaro for?
- You want Arch, but don’t want to spend 4 hours installing it: If you want the rolling-release benefit of Arch but want an “it just works” experience out of the box, Manjaro is a great choice.
- Gamers: Because Manjaro makes installing Nvidia drivers and the latest kernels so simple, it is a favorite among Linux gamers.
- Developers: The ability to get the latest versions of compilers and development tools makes it an excellent workstation OS.
Getting Started
If you are interested, you can download the ISO from the official Manjaro website.
My advice: If you are a complete beginner, try the KDE Plasma version—it is the most polished and modern. If you have an older computer, go with the XFCE version, as it is much lighter on system resources.
Would you like help with installing it, or are you comparing it to another distribution?