About Manjaro
'Manjaro Linux targets beginners and advanced users at the same time. We provide user interface tools and scripts to make life easier. Manjaro supports NVIDIA's Optimus technology out of the box...' Philip Müller - Manjaro Developer
Overview
Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. Within the Linux community, Arch itself is renowned for being an exceptionally fast, powerful, and lightweight distribution that provides access to the very latest cutting edge - and bleeding edge - software. However, Arch is also aimed at more experienced or technically-minded users. As such, it is generally considered to be beyond the reach of those who lack the technical expertise (or persistence) required to use it.
Developed in Austria, France, and Germany, Manjaro provides all the benefits of the Arch operating system combined with a focus on user-friendliness and accessibility. Available in both 32 and 64 bit versions, Manjaro is suitable for newcomers as well as experienced Linux users. For newcomers, a user-friendly installer is provided, and the system itself is designed to work fully 'straight out of the box' with features including:
- Pre-installed desktop environments
- Pre-installed graphical applications to easily install software and update your system, and
- Pre-installed codecs to play multimedia files
For more experienced - and adventurous - users Manjaro also offers the configurability and versatility to be shaped and moulded in every respect to suit personal taste and preference. Furthermore, a minimalist NET-Edition is also available in both 32 and 64 bit versions. Stripped of any pre-installed software, this provides a base installation on which to build your own system; starting from a command line, be completely free to chose your own greeters, desktops, hardware drivers, software applications, and so on!
Features
Manjaro shares many of the same features as Arch, including:
- Speed, power, and efficiency
- Access to the very latest cutting and bleeding edge software
- A 'rolling release' development model that provides the most up-to-date system possible without the need to install new versions, and
- Access to the Arch User Repository (AUR).
However, Manjaro boasts a few extra features of its own, including:
- A simplifed, user-friendly installation process
- Automatic detection of your computer's hardware (e.g. graphics cards)
- Automatic installation of the necessary software (e.g. graphics drivers) for your system
- Its own dedicated software repositories to ensure delivery of fully tested and stable software packages, and
- Support for the easy installation and use of multiple kernels.
Latest Stable Releases
The latest stable Manjaro release is 0.8.7.1, released September 2013. Both 32 and 64 bit official versions (i.e. maintained by the development team) of Manjaro 0.8.7.1 are available in the following flavours:
- XFCE
- Openbox
- NET-Edition (no desktop)
The latest Community Editions of Manjaro, released for both 32 and 64 bit systems, are also available in the following flavours:
- MATE
- Cinnamon
- KDE
- LXDE
- E17
More information about the release of Manjaro 0.8.7.1 can be found in our Blog article Manjaro 0.8.7.1 – Back to the future – released. IceWM, FluxBox, AwesomeWM, i3-WM, Gnome 3.8, and Razor-QT are also available for installation from the Official Manjaro repositories.
Latest Testbuild
As of September 2013, the latest build is the Manjaro 0.8.7.1 release.
Recommended System Requirements
Recommended rather than minimum system requirements have been provided in order to ensure that you get the most out of your Manjaro system. Although many distributions will list the bare minimum specifications necessary to run, it wouldn't be a particularly fun or useful experience to actually use them! As such, it is recommended to have at least:
- One gigabyte (GB) of memory
- Thirty gigabytes (GB) of hard disk space
- A one gigahertz (Ghz) processor
- A high definition (HD) graphics card and monitor
- A broadband internet connection
Reviews
As Manjaro employs a rolling release schedule, the reviews listed will always be for the latest version available.
- "Review: Manjaro Linux 0.8.7" - by JtheLinuxguy (Youtube Video)
- "Manjaro 0.8.7 "Ascella" XFCE Review: Superb performance with professional looks!" - by Arindam Sen (Blog Article)
- "Review: Manjaro 0.8.7 :: The Future of User Friendly Linux!" by Spatry, from Spatry's Cup of Linux (Youtube Video)
Further Information
- The Manjaro page at Distrowatch.com
The Manjaro Development Team
Core Team
Roland Singer - Project Leader, Designer, Developer, Web Developer, Packager
Guillaume Benoit - Server Manager, Packager, Moderation
Philip Müller - Mirrors Manager, Packager, Developer, Web Developer
Alexandre A. Arnt - Octopi, Community, Forum, Developer (Octopi)
Website and Artwork Team
Tillman Ebert - Design, Testing, Website
Forum, Community and Support
Allesandro Calo - Community, Forum, Website
Ajay Chahar - Community, IRC Support
ringo32 - Forum and Community Support
Verändert - Forum and Community Support
YFDogan - Forum and Community Support
SpaceAviator - Forum and Community Support
handy - Forum and Community Support
Quantum - Forum and Community Support
Carl Duff - Community and Wiki
Ruziel - Forum and Community Support
Cumali - Forum and Community Releases
Tulliana - Forum and Community Releases
Aaditya Bagga - Forum and Wiki Support