Why I like using Manjaro Linux?
Date: 2018-11-09
I am using Manjaro for the last couple of years. It was originally grown out from Arch Linux, but now they are really big. They left the parents and not just joined the big league (well Arch is big too), but they are now the no. 1. distro on Distrowatch. I love how people dismissing DW, but it gets constantly in articles anyway. :)
You can buy laptops with Manjaro Linux on it, and it's pretty cool…
So, Manjaro is a rolling distro which means, it doesn't have a fix release schedule like Ubuntu or Fedora, etc. They release updates for everybody, when the upgrades are stable, and tested. It might take a few days, but I have no problems with updates for a long while. I am so satisfied with Manjaro, that first time in years I don't have the urge to distrohop, to change to something else, because the other distro might be more shiny or offers something different.
Manjaro is perfect as is
It comes with Xfce as default desktop environment. Stable, solid and even beautiful! Manjaro's art guys and girls are the best. We also have community editions with different DEs. I can either recommend the default XFCE or if you want to dive in for customization go for the Architect version. This requires active internet connection and you can select the packages you want to install. It's pretty cool for people who does know what they want.
Later if you want to try out other, or change desktop environments you can just follow the instructions from the Manjaro Wiki.
If you are new to Linux or you are not far into the journey, you can download the different editions and try it out as Live versions, without installing it.
The install is always the same for every edition, and it is pretty fast too.
Manjaro has a pretty good selection of software in the base repository, but it has also access to AUR, the Arch User Repository. It has to be turned on though, and it since comes with user contributed software and scripts, everybody has to know it's not safe. Luckily I have never met weird programs, and I trust the community. But it's better to be safe, then sorry.
AUR is this giant market. Every time I found some software on the net, I wondered: is this in the AUR? - 98% I have found it in the AUR! It's like magic!
For terminal access I use trizen nowadays, but you can use the default graphical package manager. Doesn't get easier than that.
Manjaro also has a good settings manager. You can manage the different kernels from there, or the drivers for your graphics card, language, etc.
Every time I had some problem with Manjaro, it was because of me and not because the system has failed me. Manjaro is pretty stable and I can recommend to users who are already familiar with Linux in some way. It is perfect for everyday use and gaming too. Installing graphical drivers is just one click away.
It just gets out of the way, but gives me enough tools to make it my own, to create my own workflow and possibility for customization. That's why I prefer Manjaro to Elementary OS. Manjaro doesn't think I am a child who is afraid of his own shadow, but thinks that I am a curious kid.
If you don't want to install Arch, there is Manjaro!
The Manjaro site is pretty good, and the community is growing.