linux-distros-arch.md

Arch distributions

All the distributions listed on this page are either actually Arch or are downstream of Arch

• The package format is Alpm (.pkg.tar)
• The package manager is Pacman

The most popular distributions on the page are

• Arch
• Manjaro
• SteamOS

Arch actual

• Arch Linux - POPULAR
  • Rolling release
  • Is the most bleeding edge
  • Greg Kroah-Hartman uses this distro on his personal computers
  • ABS (Arch Build System) Uses BSD-style Ports to automate building from source
  • The documentation for this distro is amazingly complete, a lot of love and attention put into documenting and testing.

Downstream of Arch

• Manjaro - POPULAR
  • Downstream of Arch, more testing, more stable
  • Very customizable, excellent installer
  • Rolling release
  • Austria/France/Germany
  • KDE Plasma 5 looks awesome!
    • Also supports Xfce,  Gnome, i3wm
  • excellent tools such as
    • Manjaro Hardware Detection (mhwd) utility
    • Manjaro Settings Manager (msm)
    • Manjaro Hardware Detection Kernel (mhwd-kernel)
  • I tested this distro and I like it a lot!  This is the most compelling distro for me.  If I find that I don’t need to live in DEB/APT package land, and I am willing to learn Arch package names, I will adopt Manjaro immediately.  It is awesome!  This is my non-Debian distro #1
• XeroLinux
  • KDE Plasma heavily modified, beautified, de-bloated
  • Calamares installer
• EndeavourOS
  • Rolling release
  • Arch but with easy Calamares installer and many helpers
  • Terminal-centric
  • Netherlands
• Garuda
  • For high end computers, lots of KDE Plasma eye candy (possibly too much)
  • Easier Arch install experience
  • BTRFS + Snapper, Timeshift backup, Calamares
  • India
• ArcoLinux
  • Belgium
  • Xfce is the preferred DE
  • ALCI (Arch Linux Calamares Installer) Makes the most use of the Calamares installer I have ever seen
    • Select desktop environment during install
    • Select kernel, theming, software, etc., during install
  • Build you own ISO
  • A lot of education provided on the install process
  • Four Major Editions
    • ArcoLinux L - Xfce, complete
    • ArcoLinux S - Xfce, minimal
    • ArcoLinux B - Selection of desktops, minimal
    • ArcoLinux D  - No desktop, minimal
• Asahi
  • Runs on Apple Silicon
• SteamOS
  • For the Steam Deck