Manjaro Linux is a powerful and versatile operating system based on Arch Linux. What sets it apart from many other Linux distributions is its balance between providing the advanced features of Arch while maintaining ease of use for the everyday user. One of the primary ways Manjaro achieves this is by supporting a variety of desktop environments (DEs). These environments fundamentally shape how a user interacts with the operating system, offering different visual layouts, functionalities, and levels of complexity. Manjaro’s flexibility allows it to support multiple desktop environments, catering to a broad audience with varying preferences, from those who seek the simplicity and speed of lightweight environments to those who prefer a more modern and feature-rich interface. For those unfamiliar with desktop environments, they are essential components in defining the user experience, influencing both the look and feel of the system. Manjaro’s broad support for different environments allows users to choose the interface that best suits their needs, preferences, and hardware capabilities.
Desktop environments are more than just aesthetic choices. They define how the system handles windows, the taskbar, icons, and overall user interface interactions. This versatility is what makes Manjaro particularly appealing. Whether you’re a power user seeking maximum control or a casual user wanting an intuitive and easy-to-use system, Manjaro has an option for you. Now, let’s explore the various desktop environments Manjaro supports, starting with understanding what a desktop environment is and then moving into the officially and community-supported options.
What is a Desktop Environment?
Before diving into the specific desktop environments that Manjaro supports, it is essential to understand what a desktop environment actually is. In its simplest form, a desktop environment (DE) is a suite of software that provides the graphical user interface (GUI) that a user interacts with on their computer. It consists of various elements such as window managers, panels, file managers, and system settings that all work together to create a cohesive user experience. These components manage how you open and move windows around the screen, how you interact with files, and how you customize the appearance of your desktop.
At its core, the desktop environment is the layer between the user and the operating system, transforming raw commands into a visual and interactive experience. While the operating system manages the hardware and the core functionality of the computer, the desktop environment allows the user to manipulate these resources in a visual, intuitive way. It encompasses not just the visible elements of the user interface but also the utilities and tools that help manage the system’s look and feel. For example, a desktop environment would define how icons appear on the screen, how you switch between open applications, and how menus and dialogs appear. In a Linux distribution like Manjaro, the desktop environment you choose can significantly affect your overall workflow, system performance, and how comfortable you feel interacting with your computer.
Some users may prioritize speed and efficiency, opting for lightweight desktop environments that consume minimal resources, while others might prefer a more graphically rich and customizable interface that provides a modern look, even if it uses more system resources. Manjaro recognizes this diversity of needs and preferences and provides a range of desktop environments to choose from, enabling users to customize their experience as they see fit.
Desktop environments differ from window managers in that they provide a complete suite of applications and utilities for managing the desktop. A window manager, by contrast, controls how windows are drawn and moved but may not provide other features like a file manager or system settings tools. A DE combines a window manager with these additional features to provide a cohesive experience, simplifying system interaction for the user.
Now that we have a clearer understanding of what a desktop environment is, we can explore the officially supported desktop environments in Manjaro. These environments are fully integrated into the system, meaning that they receive regular updates and are optimized to run smoothly on Manjaro. Whether you’re looking for something lightweight for older hardware or a full-featured environment for a modern machine, Manjaro’s official DEs offer something for everyone.
Officially Supported Desktop Environments
Manjaro provides several officially supported desktop environments, ensuring seamless integration, stability, and regular updates. These environments are carefully curated by the Manjaro team to provide an optimal user experience, no matter the hardware or personal preferences of the user. Each environment has its own unique set of features, strengths, and use cases, making it important for users to understand the differences between them.
KDE Plasma is one of Manjaro’s most popular desktop environments, known for its rich feature set and high level of customizability. It is a modern, visually appealing environment that offers a range of powerful tools while still maintaining a sleek and elegant interface. KDE Plasma is ideal for users who want to tweak every aspect of their system’s appearance and functionality. From the layout of the taskbar to the style of the icons, KDE Plasma offers almost endless customization options. Despite its many features, Plasma is surprisingly light on system resources, meaning it can run efficiently even on moderately powerful hardware. For users who enjoy a polished, modern aesthetic but still want the ability to dive deep into system settings and customization, KDE Plasma is an excellent choice.
Next, we have Xfce, another of Manjaro’s officially supported desktop environments. Xfce is designed to be lightweight and fast, making it an ideal choice for older hardware or users who prioritize speed and simplicity over visual flair. While it may not have the same level of customizability as KDE Plasma, Xfce still offers a solid, straightforward interface that gets the job done. It provides all the basic functionality that most users need, such as a file manager, taskbar, and system settings, without any unnecessary bloat. Xfce’s minimalistic design is not just about speed, though—it also offers a distraction-free environment that allows users to focus on their work without getting caught up in the many visual elements of more complex desktop environments. For those looking for a fast, efficient, and reliable interface, Xfce is the perfect fit.
Another officially supported desktop environment in Manjaro is GNOME. GNOME is one of the most widely used desktop environments across Linux distributions, known for its simplicity, minimalism, and modern design. The GNOME experience is focused on ease of use and reducing clutter, offering a sleek and intuitive interface that allows users to get things done without too many distractions. Unlike KDE Plasma, GNOME does not offer as much customization out of the box, but this simplicity is a feature, not a drawback, for many users. The GNOME Shell, the core component of the GNOME desktop, provides a unique workflow that is centered around a central dashboard where users can manage open windows, launch applications, and access system settings. For users who prefer a modern, minimalistic design with a focus on ease of use, GNOME is an excellent option.
Community-Supported Desktop Environments
In addition to the officially supported desktop environments, Manjaro’s vibrant and active community offers support for a range of other desktop environments. While these environments may not be maintained directly by the Manjaro team, they are still fully functional and provide additional options for users with specific needs or preferences. The community-supported desktop environments allow for even more customization, and they often cater to niche audiences or users who want a more tailored experience.
One popular community-supported environment is Cinnamon, which originated as the default desktop environment for Linux Mint. Cinnamon offers a traditional desktop layout, reminiscent of older versions of Windows, making it a great choice for users who prefer a familiar, straightforward interface. Despite its traditional design, Cinnamon is packed with modern features and tools that make it a powerful and flexible option. It strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality, offering a clean, user-friendly experience while still providing enough features to satisfy more advanced users. For those who want a desktop that feels modern but still retains the classic desktop metaphor, Cinnamon is an excellent option.
Another community-supported desktop environment is MATE, which is based on the GNOME 2 desktop. MATE is a lightweight, stable, and highly customizable environment that is particularly well-suited for older hardware. While GNOME has moved on to its modern GNOME 3 design, MATE retains the classic look and feel of the earlier GNOME releases, making it ideal for users who prefer a more traditional desktop experience. MATE is highly efficient and runs well on even the most resource-constrained systems, but it does not skimp on features. Users still have access to all the tools they need to manage their system effectively, making MATE a solid choice for those who value both performance and functionality.
LXQt is another lightweight desktop environment that Manjaro’s community supports. It is designed to be ultra-efficient, making it a perfect choice for older or lower-spec hardware. While LXQt does not offer the visual appeal or advanced features of heavier environments like KDE Plasma or GNOME, it excels in speed and simplicity. Users who prioritize performance over aesthetics will appreciate the minimalistic design of LXQt. This environment is ideal for users who need their system to run as quickly as possible without any unnecessary features or graphical elements slowing things down.
For users who prefer a more modern and polished interface, Budgie is a community-supported desktop environment that focuses on simplicity and elegance. Originally developed for the Solus operating system, Budgie has gained popularity across multiple Linux distributions due to its clean design and intuitive layout. Budgie provides a seamless user experience that is both modern and functional, making it a great choice for users who want an attractive, easy-to-use desktop without too many distractions. While it may not be as lightweight as environments like Xfce or LXQt, Budgie offers a good balance between performance and visual appeal.
Finally, for advanced users who prefer a highly minimalistic and keyboard-driven interface, Manjaro’s community supports the i3 window manager. Unlike traditional desktop environments, i3 is a tiling window manager that allows users to manage their windows entirely via the keyboard. This provides an incredibly fast and efficient workflow for power users who want to maximize their productivity. i3 is highly configurable, allowing users to customize almost every aspect of their environment, from the layout of windows to the behavior of keyboard shortcuts. While it may have a steeper learning curve than other desktop environments, i3 is an excellent choice for users who want maximum control over their system.
Choosing the Right Desktop Environment
With so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the right desktop environment for your needs. Each environment has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on your specific use case. One of the most important factors to consider is the performance of your hardware. If you are running Manjaro on an older or less powerful machine, you may want to opt for a lightweight environment like Xfce, MATE, or LXQt. These environments are designed to be efficient and can run smoothly even on lower-spec hardware. On the other hand, if you have a more modern machine and want access to advanced features and customization options, KDE Plasma or GNOME may be more suitable for your needs.
Your personal preferences also play a significant role in choosing the right desktop environment. Some users prefer a traditional desktop layout, like the one offered by Cinnamon or MATE, while others may be more comfortable with a more modern interface, like GNOME or Budgie. If you enjoy customizing your system and tweaking every aspect of your desktop, KDE Plasma offers the most flexibility in this regard. However, if you prefer a more straightforward, out-of-the-box experience, GNOME’s minimalist design may be more appealing.
Another important factor to consider is your workflow. Some users prefer a floating window manager where they can easily move and resize windows, while others prefer a tiling window manager like i3, which allows for more efficient use of screen space. Your choice of desktop environment can have a significant impact on how you interact with your system and how productive you can be.
Ultimately, the best way to choose a desktop environment is to experiment with different options and see which one feels the most comfortable and intuitive for you. Manjaro makes it easy to switch between environments, so you can try out different setups without having to reinstall the entire operating system.
How to Install and Switch Between Desktop Environments in Manjaro
One of the benefits of Manjaro is that it allows users to install and switch between multiple desktop environments. If you are unsure which desktop environment is right for you or if you simply want to try out different options, you can easily install new environments and switch between them during the login process.
The easiest way to install a new desktop environment in Manjaro is through the Manjaro Architect installer, which allows you to customize your system setup during installation. However, you can also install additional desktop environments after you have already installed Manjaro by using the package manager. Each desktop environment has its own set of packages, and these can be installed via the terminal or through Manjaro’s graphical package manager.
Once you have installed a new desktop environment, you can switch between environments by logging out of your current session and selecting the desired environment from the login screen. This allows you to easily test out different environments and switch between them based on your needs or preferences.
It is important to note that while Manjaro supports multiple desktop environments, installing too many environments at once can lead to conflicts or redundancy between system settings and applications. For this reason, it is generally a good idea to stick with one or two desktop environments to avoid clutter and ensure a smooth user experience.
Conclusion
Manjaro Linux stands out as a distribution that caters to a wide range of users by supporting a variety of desktop environments. Whether you are looking for a lightweight and efficient setup or a full-featured, customizable interface, Manjaro offers something for everyone. The flexibility to choose from both officially and community-supported environments means that you can tailor your system to your specific needs, whether that be performance, aesthetics, or workflow. With the ability to easily install and switch between environments, Manjaro makes it simple for users to experiment and find the desktop environment that works best for them.