I couldn't agree with you more! That's exactly what I did .I installed and used vanilla Arch for about 2 years then it became easier for me to just get a arch-based distribution for convenience sake. Vanilla Arch is great if you have the time to set it up just the way you want it.
I use EndeavourOS, and I want to give some more detail: The only "official" flavours actually themed are i3 and their flagship Xfce. Bryan (one of the founders) answered in a live on EF's channel they do it this way because other would tend to break more easily (take Garuda as an example). The offline install will force you to get the Xfce version, because it is what is installed on the ISO. Thanks for sharing, Matt!
What do you mean by i3 is themed? Do you mean, if you choose i3 while doing the online (net) install, you will get it themed? Or, can you logout of XFCE while in live system, and log back in to themed i3?
Artix is a great option, easy to install and super minimal for those haters of systemd. Also, Archcraft has a super beautiful Openbox configuration. Actually, I'm running Artix with 90% of the Openbox ricing from Archcraft.
Haters of systemd? No need for a such a strong words. Systemd skeptics is more friendly term. 🙂 Heard mixed opinions about Artix. But they are 2 years old, so it might not make sense to follow them when choosing a distro and just give it a try.
Thank you for your video. I used all of them and others too. But, all of them were eating my RAM. Today I am using Archlabs and I find it really great. It let me to chose what I need and not induces me what to use. KDE boots with 460M of Ram (Manjaro 870M), no matter what applications you have installed... Xcfe with 360M of Ram... their windows managers flavors run 210M at boot... It is a simple, clean and straight forward Arch distribution. I am very happy with it. Matt, great work.
Non-technical users are definitely better off starting with a distribution based on Arch Linux instead of the original base Arch Linux. The easy-to-install distributions provide a smoother user experience "out of box."
@Prince Cooper if I was constipated I could either use an enema or dig around in there with my finger while testing pushing to see if it'll come out. One works easily, the other could go really well or you end up with shit all over your hand googling what to do when constipated.
Agree ,noob here ,6months into Linux and I use Arco Linux ,one day when I grow up I'll install Vanilla Arch and I'm 48yo now!! Thanks for this great channel ,I've learnt so much
I am using Manjaro with Budgie DE at the moment - I`m always falling back to Archbased Distros like Manjaro, Endeavour OS, Reborn OS, Storm OS ect... -they are fast and simple and I like the pacman-packagemanager ...
@@theinceptor3672 I agree the AUR is a huge selling point, but not irreplaceable. You can build packages from source on any distro, if you're determined to.
@@bayrockdev true, but ye I don't mean to show like I am literally worshipping it. But it is a great reason for me to stick to arch based distro (Endeavour OS).
After having started with Linux Mint on my dual boot Lenovo T430 also running Windowd 10, my 2nd computer has been running on Arco Linux. I started with Plasma desktop which is nice but recently with updates to the Arch Linux Tweak Tool, I added Awesome and bspwm desktops. After getting those running well , I am thinking of replacing my Linux Mint install on the Lenovo with Arco linux as well. I am pretty certain I will do this soon. Eric Dubois has been extremely helpful and always answered the few questions that I posted as comments on his youtube videos. Sometimes it takes a little effort to figure out why something is broken, but that has been part of the joy of learning and accomplishment when I learn more as I go.
I really appreciate your videos. You tend to address what the rest of us are thinking and are not afraid of being politically incorrect. It is so refreshing, thank you!
New Arcolinux leftwm here. Took the defaults and have been tweaking it little by little. Leftwm is the first wm that seems to fit and arco did a decent initial setup
I've also like the way Arco works. For me, I just wanted to bypass the tedium of the vanilla install (even with ArchFi). So, I go with Arco and Openbox and basically nothing else. From there, it gives me a pretty clean system. I then morph it to whatever I need on that system. Currently, I'm doing Compiz/Emerald + Plank + tint2 + rofi, but have done a variety of trial runs with deepin, budgie, etc. It's heavier than others might run, but I have plenty of RAM and CPU cycles that it's smooth for me. Minimal bloat and wobbly windows. I just get things done on it with a little bit of eye candy.
For Vanilla Arch it's almos mandatory to make your own installation scripts so you install always the same packages, and always the same confgs and you don leave behind necesary packages.
Exactly- Arch based distros and the better installers add a lot of little quality of life things that are easy to miss or forget when doing a vanilla arch install.
I think this is going to depend on what one needs from their system. I tried Arch, typically around 3 weeks after install, I have to go in and spend (in my mind) too much time to fix something that randomly happens with an update. Now, there hasn't been a time that I haven't found a work around to an issue, but for the most part, I use my computers to make money creating something, a program, a design, something along those lines. If I was creating something for tutorial content or something like that, that would be something entirely different. I need system to be running all the time and Arch just doesn't give me that with the particular hardware that I have. I'm sure for some Arch is great and they love it for one reason or another, I just don't think it's for everyone. Certainly not for me. Even after12 yrs of using Linux. I think the most bleeding edge as I'll get is Fedora (and Fedora was my first foray into Linux, not Ubuntu).
The final decision depends on what you want to do. And for many (including me), the purpose is the application and the OS is the means. Having a frustrated past on Ubuntu, I started using Linux Mint and moved to Arch Linux. It brought me study and experience, but at the same time I was overwhelmed by the need for management and the loss of time. I will then move to Debian and move to one of them compared to Ubuntu-based distributions.
Manjaro offers post-install package selection, much like Garuda. In fact I think Manjaro came up with that idea before Garuda. There's a Manjaro Hello window that pops up right after installation and in that window is a button to configure all the software you want, arranged into categories.
Oh, I didn't know that. It has been ages since I installed Manjaro, honestly. I didn't know they had a wizard to take you through additional software install.
I'd like to see a arch based distro with the Pantheon desktop. I tried doing an install from scratch and it was a disaster, things didn't work properly and trying to fix things ended up breaking something else. Just love that desktop environment, Elementary OS is kind of a pain to unlock it so you can use ppa's to add programs outside of what they offer.
If I have to use Arch-based distro, Arco is that distro, but my main thing is vanilla Arch, I just can't fully settle on anything other than Arch itself.
Im getting accustomed to manjaro, but in not liking their veering off course from the linux ideology. Endeavour os was mentioned to be a good alternative, im wanting something with no bloat, but like the basic with apps i want: office,wine,music media,gimp. with awesome wm. I also looked at stormOS already had some stuff i wanted just not office. Most distros have office but with extra bloat. Is Arco "The One" then if it lets me choose what i want before install?
I would have agreed before GUI installers for vanilla arch came around. I use archfi/archdi and it’s super easy, maybe 15 minutes and most importantly, you get a very clean install. Chris Titus made a great point on this: a lot of people can install arch, but they can’t really install a useable environment. Before GUI installers existed, I would have def recommended endeavourOS, which is really a fantastic experience. In my opinion, Manjaro is just a confused OS. I don’t recommend it.
I installed EndeavourOS using the online installer today and was quite surprised by how slow it was. Manjaro is way faster. I don't mind downloading the ISO all at once and having a larger ISO to burn, versus waiting for the install to download after the fact. And I realize that's not exactly fair, or apple to oranges to judge the two in that way but, when I'm installing something for the first time and it's slow, it puts a bad taste in my mouth, right from the start. Especially since I was exited and then had to wait so long for that excitement to be realized.
When i found Garuda i stopped distro hopping for good ( well at least over a year now). It offers by far the most pain free gaming experience Ive had with an NVIDIA card on Linux. Also the fact that it takes snapshots by default every time you add remove or update something has saved me so many headaches.
EndeavourOS Atlantis at least (only one I've tried so far) does have some after-install features, tips and packages. Not a lot but, some. I like their menu for it. Nice and simple. It's a good start.
If I recalll correctly, EOS does not you choose what’s installed. Also, not big on Manjaro. I think it’s a confused OS. Is it rolling release or stable release? Is it CLI based or GUI based? I just think it’s hard to get a solid workflow down. Of course, I’m being picky. I used Manjaro for a year and had no problems with it. It’s a good OS
@@doughnut_panda It's because Manjaros main repos are 2 weeks behind and if you use Arch repos or even AUR, you will break your system by having a 2 weeks repo delay
I think Garuda has the best installation process, especially the after installation option of choosing your applications. Also it felt the most polished (much like elementary / Pop) in the sense that it automatically resizes your display setting in a VM and few other things. I didn't like the theming though. It very "gamer like" which is ofcourse a personal choice.
Great video - also good selection you have. I use Garuda and I'm very happy with it so far (not only focusing on UI - it's also the decision to use bttrfs, zen-kernel, specific software collection for gaming ....). What I miss a bit in all these Linux Distro review videos available on RUclips is that in 95% of them the focus is only UI (not even UX!) and the installer (which is a one time thing usually). Would be great to get some other things in which might be even more relevant (e.g. consistent user experience by selecting the right plugins and configurations in for example plasma, performance, stability, other approaches e.g. in bttrfs the good compatibility with timeshift and the option to start every snapshot from Grub .... there are so many more real good features to mention other than installers and UI/themes/icons).
I tried several Arch-based (and several non-Arch-based) distros and have decided on Garuda KDE edition for now. The runners-up were Endeavour, Manjaro, and Fedora 35.
I'm currently running Manjaro on old Intel nuc and I'm very happy with it. I have ordered a new Ryzen based computer and planned to go with Fedora but as Fedora has plans to cripple mesa I'll stick with Manjaro.
Is Arco Linux & Endeavor OS good for playing Windows Wine games I have problems from these two, they don't play my favorite game GTA SanAndreas exe file But Manjaro & Garuda play wine games perfectly
@@TheLinuxCast i know but the same games are playable with Manjaro & Garuda then why is not playable on Endeavor os & Arco linux I see that even all my favourite Ubuntu/debian based distros played that
@@NADEEMKHAN-sj5hn Has to have something to do with dependencies. Also, I think Arco has it's own steam package. It gave me problems too. Installing steam-native worked for a few games.
@@TheLinuxCast finally i got your point, I'm new user so i install wine with no dependence nothing choose any one from package manager but this time i install wine with all dependencies and now it's work fine and games are playable in Arch Linux I also have to check Endeavor OS, Arco linux and Xerolinux
Do you have any thoughts on Archcraft? A new ISO has just been released. I'm curent y run ing it as my daily driver and I really think it should get more attention. It had a bit of a rough start and it was right when distrotube decided to review it. I think it’s come a long way since then.
I'm a new user of Linux and having learned a lot from your RUclips channel (as well as others), but I get the feeling that eventually people tend to drift to Arch Linux. I'ld to know what attracted you to Arch and where is the logic in being drawn to a distro that is unstable?
@Prince Cooper Okay but there are other. distros out there with the minimalism look . I kinda thought of Arch Linux as being the perfect desktop for a Lan admin or Dev / Software person who doesn't want to waste their resources on eye candy. I can understand wanting the latest update for VR or Git Hub but again that's upper crust stuff.
Are you asking specifically Arch, or Arch-based in general? Can't say about the first, but with the second it's probably the AUR and pacman. At least it was for me. I tried Linux lite, mint, different ubuntus, and a couple of Arch-based ones, and I tend to go for those because of AUR, pacman, and sometimes in other distros I find weird shit that confuses the hell out of me. Like about three weeks ago I tried pop os, then when I wanted to install clipit (I need a good clipboard manager for work) through the GUI means, it *installed* clipit, but created two entries in the apps menu - one for clipit and one for Diodon (which fucking sucks btw). I tried installing it by terminal means and the same happens. Then I found out that it's a whole Ubuntu/Debian-wide repository quirk because some maintainer sometime in 2014/2015 decided that "Clipit was deprecated, use Diodon instead", which is the message you see pop up when you try to launch clipit. Like can you at least NOT sneak some dumb shit into my system instead of clipit when I specifically requested clipit installed? I know I can install it from source, which I did next, but the sheer audacity and stupidity of this stunt left me bitter and wondering "why the fuck would you even pretend like you HAVE what I asked for and make it look as if you did install it? Why the fuck two executables - one for the thing I didn't want and one with condescending bullshit? It's not how it's supposed to be". So I installed arco on that machine again, thinking "at least arch folks respect your decision". Also, after using pacman and AUR for long enough, it feels weird having different versions of programs on different distros, or distros themselves having different versions, and not being "the latest"
@@snowhusk I'm sorry to hear that about your experience with a Mint app, for myself I ran into a problem Kernel updates. I discovered that Kernel updates should be ran separately from other updates (Data Libs) , once you hit apply anything can happen. It has been said that "there are only two (real) distros, Debian and Arch. Everything else is a fork of these two." I agree, however RUclips content tends to suggest that all the adults go to the deep end of the pool (Arch) while the youngsters play at the shallow end (Mint, Ubuntu, etc.) I know enough to know that I don't know enough for now and will stick my Kubutu.
@@carbondated6151 it was an experience with pop_os's pop shop and apt, linux mint I can't really say anything bad about (except maybe them having a weird telegram build, but that's a flatpak quirk, not really mint's fault). Oh, that's an interesting point about kernel updates, I gotta look into how you do it separately from the data libs and what those are, thanks for an interesting pointer :) it's also a good idea to have at least two kernels installed, with the second one being preferably an LTS one just in case. Yeah, whenever I think of what I can try that's not Arch-based or straight up Arch, I feel confused like "is everything else just Debian and Ubuntu and their lineage?". From what I've heard, pure Debian at large is kinda perceived as being just as esoteric and hardcore of an experience as Arch. But yeah, with "btw os" you see a lot more memes about elitism and obnoxious gatekeeping in the culture. I really dig the point of knowing what you know about how much you don't know. Case in point - I currently run Garuda KDE (yes, the neon mac-looking most bloated one of them) and somehow by opening Dolphin as root and then trying to figure out how to make it open as regular user again, I managed to break some system file and not being able to log into even tty, luckily I was able to restore my system from grub snapshot tool to its state before the last update, so yeah, kudos to distros getting so good at working well out of the box in the last years. And cheers to you running Kubuntu, it's good stuff too, and I like the sentiment I heard in mental outlaw's video: "the best Linux distro is the one you make the best for you"
@@snowhusk Yea, I 've learned the hard way and I had it happen to me twice. I asked at different Linux forums and nobody knew what I was talking about ; fine! With Kubuntu with Plasma I get a notice of available updates, I'll click on the icon or go to sys settings to get a menu of updates. Then update ONLY non-Kernel updates 1st, then update your Kernel and reboot to flash the memory.
I was running Anarchy Linux for a while until switching to Endeavour. The reason for the switch was due to anarchy changing repository servers at time, so updates weren't possible. This has since been corrected as I have a VM of it now to play with. Both work distros work well for me. I haven't really dug into Arco yet, but it does look quite interesting and will probably give it a spin sooner or later. As for Garuda... 🤮
I really don't think you have done enough research on Endeavour. The things you say about it are not true. You even don't know BSPWM and Sway come in as community editions under other installer options. Endeavor doesn't customize any other DE with thems it leaves it up to the user. Only editions are themed are community editions and as @Luminem i3 is the only setup that uses Endeavour OS themes. It doesn't force anything on the use only the XFCE and CE carry the customization. Also, don't what you mean by it has spent a lot of time making it unique. Having a colored theme is spending a lot of time, really? Online install depends on users' internet speed and the mirrors that get listed. If he/she has a decent internet connection then the installation will be faster if not then it will be slow. Endeavor allows the user to be in control of what they want and they don't customize everything because it puts more work on the team. Do you even know there's nothing else is getting installed instead of the Enos toolset, DE/WM, and the other needed stuff to run the distro. I really don't get what you mean by "you didn't choose any of that stuff". Because Enos doesn't install anything else to give the user any selection of what heshe wants in there. I highly dought that you have done enough research about Endeavour before putting it on the list except for the ones you have used. Next time just does a proper background check before just putting out what you think.
@@TheLinuxCast I don't know, that's why I asked, I don't have any energy to create a video about Linux atm. I'm fighting with a defective pm2 that won't autostart my bot, because it isn't able to synchronize to the save. I'm starting to get really darn pissed of, so I'm making some startup commands instead. ^^
Well the community around manjaro is bad so bad for new users or beginners last night i back to windows after 2 week using manjaro i was planning to dual boot windows and pop os or elementary os then i see ur video i didn't know arcolinux distro i like it and i think it's perfect to learn fast and more about linux :) ty
if you install offline endeauvour os, you'll have to update the keyring first. if you're like me and have no idea what you're doing, you won't know why your system is failing to update.
I have found all of these too bloated for my potato laptop. I go with Arch Linux GUI Plasma 25th anniversary edition, slimmest Calamaris installation I have experienced. The great thing about arch is the ease of installing packages, I hate pre-installed packages unless absolutely necessary.
If I were to go arch based - and not do vanilla - I'd go with endeavouros because it seems closest to vanilla but with an easy installer. Arco seems too bloated with options and if I have to sift through 3,000 RUclips videos to troubleshoot issues then a) that's a lot of issues I could potentially run into and b) who has time to watch video tutorials whenever an issue comes up?
What the heck is the DIFFERENCE between ubuntu/debian and ARCH?? All this is confusing.. I'm OLD and I don't WANT to learn a lot of stuff on this.. i like just USING it..
If you don't have the interest in learning Linux, you're going to get lost, fast. But to answer your question, Ubuntu/Debian distros are static releases distros, that means that updates come in similar to what you'd get on Windows, on a schedule. This often means that you don't get the latest versions of software, but it also means your OS and your software is more stable, as you're not using the updates before they're tested by a lot of people. Arch and Arch-based distros are rolling releases. This means that updates come in as soon as they are placed in the repositories. This means you get the latest and greatest software as soon as it is released. It also tends to be more buggy and less stable, though it's not always true. My recommendation is to use something like Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop. That is very similar to Windows in look and feel, and is a static release distro based on Ubuntu. It's not my favorite, but it is good for new users, and there is a big community out there that will be willing to help you if you get stuck. Hope that helps.
@@TheLinuxCast I'm not a NEW user- I do know SOME command line stuff- just think it's STUPID when the gui's do the same stuff... and I've been through several distros so far- liked them ALL-- especiailly POP OS, Zorin 16, Feren OS, even MX-- except MX to mee has TOO MUCH choice-- get analysis paralysis.. :) THanks for the answer. BUT I was wondering if the coding is different.. at the base or something. doesn't matter.. I have MINT for now- and will use some of the others I've tried when I really need a change.. I just need to keep up with ubuntu to see if they get crazy into Google crap- and if they do- as most companies that get close to them do because of $$$-- then I'm dropping it.
Arch based distros go against the principles of Arch which is simplicity. They're full of bloat just so people can say I use Arch BTW, sort of. It's not hard to install Arch and you'll get a better experience and you'll get some experience. You'll learn a lot less from using a variant.
i used ARCO for 2 years it is really bad full of bugs specially if you have nvidia graphics card it is really bad i had many softwares not working at all but now i am in manjaro and it is just perfect everything works perfectly in it and nvidia drivers is good too and by the way Erik is amazing but the admins are really rude in discord server my point is arco is really bad really really bad
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
I've always had some kind of problems with arch based distros.
So I'm using vanilla arch and it's working perfectly fine.
Same here!
Same, I use Arch Linux GUI. It's vanila minus all the command line hastle
I couldn't agree with you more! That's exactly what I did .I installed and used vanilla Arch for about 2 years then it became easier for me to just get a arch-based distribution for convenience sake. Vanilla Arch is great if you have the time to set it up just the way you want it.
I use EndeavourOS, and I want to give some more detail:
The only "official" flavours actually themed are i3 and their flagship Xfce. Bryan (one of the founders) answered in a live on EF's channel they do it this way because other would tend to break more easily (take Garuda as an example).
The offline install will force you to get the Xfce version, because it is what is installed on the ISO.
Thanks for sharing, Matt!
What do you mean by i3 is themed? Do you mean, if you choose i3 while doing the online (net) install, you will get it themed? Or, can you logout of XFCE while in live system, and log back in to themed i3?
@@jozsefk9 What I meant was your first suggestion.
Garuda completely broke for me after upgrading packages
@@Seiseary i just fefreshed packages and works great ram is high. But solid. Fully loaded. 1yr on old ssd
If I install it the offline way, will it ship XFCE themed version?
Artix is a great option, easy to install and super minimal for those haters of systemd.
Also, Archcraft has a super beautiful Openbox configuration.
Actually, I'm running Artix with 90% of the Openbox ricing from Archcraft.
Artix is great. I used it in the past. Now using Arch. Archcraft is beautiful but I experienced a problem with Nvidia drivers.
Haters of systemd? No need for a such a strong words. Systemd skeptics is more friendly term. 🙂
Heard mixed opinions about Artix. But they are 2 years old, so it might not make sense to follow them when choosing a distro and just give it a try.
Archcraft had a surprisingly low performance for an Arch based distro in my experience
are there scripts that apply the archcraft ricings on a vanilla openbox install? would be pretty useful.
Thank you for your video. I used all of them and others too. But, all of them were eating my RAM. Today I am using Archlabs and I find it really great. It let me to chose what I need and not induces me what to use. KDE boots with 460M of Ram (Manjaro 870M), no matter what applications you have installed... Xcfe with 360M of Ram... their windows managers flavors run 210M at boot... It is a simple, clean and straight forward Arch distribution. I am very happy with it. Matt, great work.
KDE at 460M of RAM?
Its taking 1.4Go on my machine so you might show us some footage for proof.
Non-technical users are definitely better off starting with a distribution based on Arch Linux instead of the original base Arch Linux. The easy-to-install distributions provide a smoother user experience "out of box."
@Prince Cooper if I was constipated I could either use an enema or dig around in there with my finger while testing pushing to see if it'll come out. One works easily, the other could go really well or you end up with shit all over your hand googling what to do when constipated.
I like Arch better than Arch based distros. I prefer manual install, but if I need a quick and easy install, I use the Anarchy Installer.
ArchLinux-GUI project is also a nice one and more friendly.
Agree ,noob here ,6months into Linux and I use Arco Linux ,one day when I grow up I'll install Vanilla Arch and I'm 48yo now!! Thanks for this great channel ,I've learnt so much
I am using Manjaro with Budgie DE at the moment - I`m always falling back to Archbased Distros like Manjaro, Endeavour OS, Reborn OS, Storm OS ect... -they are fast and simple and I like the pacman-packagemanager ...
For me it's just the AUR. I just probably can't live without it.
@@theinceptor3672 I agree the AUR is a huge selling point, but not irreplaceable. You can build packages from source on any distro, if you're determined to.
@@bayrockdev true, but ye I don't mean to show like I am literally worshipping it. But it is a great reason for me to stick to arch based distro (Endeavour OS).
After having started with Linux Mint on my dual boot Lenovo T430 also running Windowd 10, my 2nd computer has been running on Arco Linux. I started with Plasma desktop which is nice but recently with updates to the Arch Linux Tweak Tool, I added Awesome and bspwm desktops. After getting those running well , I am thinking of replacing my Linux Mint install on the Lenovo with Arco linux as well. I am pretty certain I will do this soon. Eric Dubois has been extremely helpful and always answered the few questions that I posted as comments on his youtube videos. Sometimes it takes a little effort to figure out why something is broken, but that has been part of the joy of learning and accomplishment when I learn more as I go.
I really appreciate your videos. You tend to address what the rest of us are thinking and are not afraid of being politically incorrect. It is so refreshing, thank you!
New Arcolinux leftwm here. Took the defaults and have been tweaking it little by little. Leftwm is the first wm that seems to fit and arco did a decent initial setup
+, same choise.
Arco + LeftWM
I've also like the way Arco works. For me, I just wanted to bypass the tedium of the vanilla install (even with ArchFi). So, I go with Arco and Openbox and basically nothing else. From there, it gives me a pretty clean system. I then morph it to whatever I need on that system. Currently, I'm doing Compiz/Emerald + Plank + tint2 + rofi, but have done a variety of trial runs with deepin, budgie, etc. It's heavier than others might run, but I have plenty of RAM and CPU cycles that it's smooth for me. Minimal bloat and wobbly windows. I just get things done on it with a little bit of eye candy.
For Vanilla Arch it's almos mandatory to make your own installation scripts so you install always the same packages, and always the same confgs and you don leave behind necesary packages.
Exactly- Arch based distros and the better installers add a lot of little quality of life things that are easy to miss or forget when doing a vanilla arch install.
I think this is going to depend on what one needs from their system. I tried Arch, typically around 3 weeks after install, I have to go in and spend (in my mind) too much time to fix something that randomly happens with an update. Now, there hasn't been a time that I haven't found a work around to an issue, but for the most part, I use my computers to make money creating something, a program, a design, something along those lines. If I was creating something for tutorial content or something like that, that would be something entirely different. I need system to be running all the time and Arch just doesn't give me that with the particular hardware that I have. I'm sure for some Arch is great and they love it for one reason or another, I just don't think it's for everyone. Certainly not for me. Even after12 yrs of using Linux. I think the most bleeding edge as I'll get is Fedora (and Fedora was my first foray into Linux, not Ubuntu).
The final decision depends on what you want to do. And for many (including me), the purpose is the application and the OS is the means.
Having a frustrated past on Ubuntu, I started using Linux Mint and moved to Arch Linux.
It brought me study and experience, but at the same time I was overwhelmed by the need for management and the loss of time.
I will then move to Debian and move to one of them compared to Ubuntu-based distributions.
Manjaro offers post-install package selection, much like Garuda. In fact I think Manjaro came up with that idea before Garuda. There's a Manjaro Hello window that pops up right after installation and in that window is a button to configure all the software you want, arranged into categories.
Oh, I didn't know that. It has been ages since I installed Manjaro, honestly. I didn't know they had a wizard to take you through additional software install.
Great message! I'm going to steal "no one can tell you what distro is right for you" when people ask me about distros.
I'd like to see a arch based distro with the Pantheon desktop. I tried doing an install from scratch and it was a disaster, things didn't work properly and trying to fix things ended up breaking something else. Just love that desktop environment, Elementary OS is kind of a pain to unlock it so you can use ppa's to add programs outside of what they offer.
Pretty cool video, nice choices. I have tried archlabs and it is a good way to set up arch quickly with a terminal installer.
Archcraft with the Bspwm window manager & Bauh package manager was my favourite Arch variant.
My favorite theme for KDE is "Iridescent".
Great thanks. Using Mabox (based on Manjaro) and its great!
Nice video I use Linux Mint for my Daily System.
for me archlabs is the best , i can install the base system easily and then run my install script to install all my programs
Excellent video!! Thanks!!!😀 At the moment I'm running mabox. It's fast, simple, and fun to use.
If I have to use Arch-based distro, Arco is that distro, but my main thing is vanilla Arch, I just can't fully settle on anything other than Arch itself.
I use Debian and Manjaro great video!
Manjaro has the best theming and really good wallpapers IMO.
Arch to me feels as if it supposed to be more a foundation to make something finely tuned for a specific task (ie: steam os 3)
Im getting accustomed to manjaro, but in not liking their veering off course from the linux ideology. Endeavour os was mentioned to be a good alternative, im wanting something with no bloat, but like the basic with apps i want: office,wine,music media,gimp. with awesome wm.
I also looked at stormOS already had some stuff i wanted just not office. Most distros have office but with extra bloat.
Is Arco "The One" then if it lets me choose what i want before install?
I would have agreed before GUI installers for vanilla arch came around. I use archfi/archdi and it’s super easy, maybe 15 minutes and most importantly, you get a very clean install. Chris Titus made a great point on this: a lot of people can install arch, but they can’t really install a useable environment. Before GUI installers existed, I would have def recommended endeavourOS, which is really a fantastic experience.
In my opinion, Manjaro is just a confused OS. I don’t recommend it.
Thank you for this video. Greatly appreciated.
I installed EndeavourOS using the online installer today and was quite surprised by how slow it was. Manjaro is way faster. I don't mind downloading the ISO all at once and having a larger ISO to burn, versus waiting for the install to download after the fact. And I realize that's not exactly fair, or apple to oranges to judge the two in that way but, when I'm installing something for the first time and it's slow, it puts a bad taste in my mouth, right from the start. Especially since I was exited and then had to wait so long for that excitement to be realized.
Yeah, it was slow for me too, both times I've tried it. The people in the EndeavourOS forums, though, thought I was an idiot, which if found funny.
Have you tried InstantOS yet? Just tried it today as well. Still in beta but, coming along nicely it would seem.
When i found Garuda i stopped distro hopping for good ( well at least over a year now). It offers by far the most pain free gaming experience Ive had with an NVIDIA card on Linux. Also the fact that it takes snapshots by default every time you add remove or update something has saved me so many headaches.
EndeavourOS Atlantis at least (only one I've tried so far) does have some after-install features, tips and packages. Not a lot but, some. I like their menu for it. Nice and simple. It's a good start.
If I recalll correctly, EOS does not you choose what’s installed. Also, not big on Manjaro. I think it’s a confused OS. Is it rolling release or stable release? Is it CLI based or GUI based? I just think it’s hard to get a solid workflow down.
Of course, I’m being picky. I used Manjaro for a year and had no problems with it. It’s a good OS
I feel Manjaro breaks more than other arch based distros.
would rather use endeavour then manjaro
Depends on what you do and how you do it.
@@umka7536 not really, Manjaro breaks a lot just by updating.
@@doughnut_panda It's because Manjaros main repos are 2 weeks behind and if you use Arch repos or even AUR, you will break your system by having a 2 weeks repo delay
@@johnnypepperonii yes, I think it's that.
I think Garuda has the best installation process, especially the after installation option of choosing your applications. Also it felt the most polished (much like elementary / Pop) in the sense that it automatically resizes your display setting in a VM and few other things. I didn't like the theming though. It very "gamer like" which is ofcourse a personal choice.
Arch linux gui is another one, hefftor linux too.
Thank you for the info, very helpful.
Great video - also good selection you have. I use Garuda and I'm very happy with it so far (not only focusing on UI - it's also the decision to use bttrfs, zen-kernel, specific software collection for gaming ....). What I miss a bit in all these Linux Distro review videos available on RUclips is that in 95% of them the focus is only UI (not even UX!) and the installer (which is a one time thing usually). Would be great to get some other things in which might be even more relevant (e.g. consistent user experience by selecting the right plugins and configurations in for example plasma, performance, stability, other approaches e.g. in bttrfs the good compatibility with timeshift and the option to start every snapshot from Grub .... there are so many more real good features to mention other than installers and UI/themes/icons).
I tried several Arch-based (and several non-Arch-based) distros and have decided on Garuda KDE edition for now. The runners-up were Endeavour, Manjaro, and Fedora 35.
Same here
Garuda sucks 😔
@@Seiseary manjaro no 2
im using endeavour and i dont think im switching anytime soon
I'm currently running Manjaro on old Intel nuc and I'm very happy with it. I have ordered a new Ryzen based computer and planned to go with Fedora but as Fedora has plans to cripple mesa I'll stick with Manjaro.
and now Manjaro has crippled Mesa !
@@chairman67 yea and I’m very disapointed. So I pondering between vanilla Arch or some Debian testing/unstable distro (Kaisen,Siduction)
Is Arco Linux & Endeavor OS good for playing Windows Wine games
I have problems from these two, they don't play my favorite game GTA SanAndreas exe file
But Manjaro & Garuda play wine games perfectly
Windows games are always going to be hit or miss unless you know what dependencies you need.
@@TheLinuxCast i know but the same games are playable with Manjaro & Garuda then why is not playable on Endeavor os & Arco linux
I see that even all my favourite Ubuntu/debian based distros played that
@@NADEEMKHAN-sj5hn Has to have something to do with dependencies. Also, I think Arco has it's own steam package. It gave me problems too. Installing steam-native worked for a few games.
@@TheLinuxCast finally i got your point, I'm new user so i install wine with no dependence nothing choose any one from package manager but this time i install wine with all dependencies and now it's work fine and games are playable in Arch Linux
I also have to check Endeavor OS, Arco linux and Xerolinux
Do you have any thoughts on Archcraft? A new ISO has just been released. I'm curent y run ing it as my daily driver and I really think it should get more attention. It had a bit of a rough start and it was right when distrotube decided to review it. I think it’s come a long way since then.
what are your arco linux dotfiles?
I'm a new user of Linux and having learned a lot from your RUclips channel (as well as others), but I get the feeling that eventually people tend to drift to Arch Linux. I'ld to know what attracted you to Arch and where is the logic in being drawn to a distro that is unstable?
@Prince Cooper Okay but there are other. distros out there with the minimalism look . I kinda thought of Arch Linux as being the perfect desktop for a Lan admin or Dev / Software person who doesn't want to waste their resources on eye candy. I can understand wanting the latest update for VR or Git Hub but again that's upper crust stuff.
Are you asking specifically Arch, or Arch-based in general? Can't say about the first, but with the second it's probably the AUR and pacman. At least it was for me. I tried Linux lite, mint, different ubuntus, and a couple of Arch-based ones, and I tend to go for those because of AUR, pacman, and sometimes in other distros I find weird shit that confuses the hell out of me.
Like about three weeks ago I tried pop os, then when I wanted to install clipit (I need a good clipboard manager for work) through the GUI means, it *installed* clipit, but created two entries in the apps menu - one for clipit and one for Diodon (which fucking sucks btw). I tried installing it by terminal means and the same happens. Then I found out that it's a whole Ubuntu/Debian-wide repository quirk because some maintainer sometime in 2014/2015 decided that "Clipit was deprecated, use Diodon instead", which is the message you see pop up when you try to launch clipit. Like can you at least NOT sneak some dumb shit into my system instead of clipit when I specifically requested clipit installed? I know I can install it from source, which I did next, but the sheer audacity and stupidity of this stunt left me bitter and wondering "why the fuck would you even pretend like you HAVE what I asked for and make it look as if you did install it? Why the fuck two executables - one for the thing I didn't want and one with condescending bullshit? It's not how it's supposed to be".
So I installed arco on that machine again, thinking "at least arch folks respect your decision". Also, after using pacman and AUR for long enough, it feels weird having different versions of programs on different distros, or distros themselves having different versions, and not being "the latest"
@@snowhusk I'm sorry to hear that about your experience with a Mint app, for myself I ran into a problem Kernel updates. I discovered that Kernel updates should be ran separately from other updates (Data Libs) , once you hit apply anything can happen. It has been said that "there are only two (real) distros, Debian and Arch. Everything else is a fork of these two." I agree, however RUclips content tends to suggest that all the adults go to the deep end of the pool (Arch) while the youngsters play at the shallow end (Mint, Ubuntu, etc.) I know enough to know that I don't know enough for now and will stick my Kubutu.
@@carbondated6151 it was an experience with pop_os's pop shop and apt, linux mint I can't really say anything bad about (except maybe them having a weird telegram build, but that's a flatpak quirk, not really mint's fault).
Oh, that's an interesting point about kernel updates, I gotta look into how you do it separately from the data libs and what those are, thanks for an interesting pointer :) it's also a good idea to have at least two kernels installed, with the second one being preferably an LTS one just in case.
Yeah, whenever I think of what I can try that's not Arch-based or straight up Arch, I feel confused like "is everything else just Debian and Ubuntu and their lineage?". From what I've heard, pure Debian at large is kinda perceived as being just as esoteric and hardcore of an experience as Arch. But yeah, with "btw os" you see a lot more memes about elitism and obnoxious gatekeeping in the culture.
I really dig the point of knowing what you know about how much you don't know. Case in point - I currently run Garuda KDE (yes, the neon mac-looking most bloated one of them) and somehow by opening Dolphin as root and then trying to figure out how to make it open as regular user again, I managed to break some system file and not being able to log into even tty, luckily I was able to restore my system from grub snapshot tool to its state before the last update, so yeah, kudos to distros getting so good at working well out of the box in the last years.
And cheers to you running Kubuntu, it's good stuff too, and I like the sentiment I heard in mental outlaw's video: "the best Linux distro is the one you make the best for you"
@@snowhusk Yea, I 've learned the hard way and I had it happen to me twice. I asked at different Linux forums and nobody knew what I was talking about ; fine! With Kubuntu with Plasma I get a notice of available updates, I'll click on the icon or go to sys settings to get a menu of updates. Then update ONLY non-Kernel updates 1st, then update your Kernel and reboot to flash the memory.
Actually I'm using Manjaro KDE for everyday but the most interesting distro for me is Arco, especially Arco B Xtended )
Thank you, Matt!
This is a really helpful guide.
I was running Anarchy Linux for a while until switching to Endeavour. The reason for the switch was due to anarchy changing repository servers at time, so updates weren't possible. This has since been corrected as I have a VM of it now to play with. Both work distros work well for me. I haven't really dug into Arco yet, but it does look quite interesting and will probably give it a spin sooner or later.
As for Garuda... 🤮
Could never get the ARCO installer to run
Did you go to the forums for help? I"m sure they would have tried to help you
Same, except when I ran it with nomodeset it worked.
Arco!
which arcolinux iso u got ?
Please make complete guide of using opensuse
I agree! I use opensuse leap gnome, and love the features and stability!😀
I really don't think you have done enough research on Endeavour. The things you say about it are not true. You even don't know BSPWM and Sway come in as community editions under other installer options. Endeavor doesn't customize any other DE with thems it leaves it up to the user. Only editions are themed are community editions and as @Luminem i3 is the only setup that uses Endeavour OS themes. It doesn't force anything on the use only the XFCE and CE carry the customization. Also, don't what you mean by it has spent a lot of time making it unique. Having a colored theme is spending a lot of time, really?
Online install depends on users' internet speed and the mirrors that get listed. If he/she has a decent internet connection then the installation will be faster if not then it will be slow. Endeavor allows the user to be in control of what they want and they don't customize everything because it puts more work on the team. Do you even know there's nothing else is getting installed instead of the Enos toolset, DE/WM, and the other needed stuff to run the distro. I really don't get what you mean by "you didn't choose any of that stuff". Because Enos doesn't install anything else to give the user any selection of what heshe wants in there.
I highly dought that you have done enough research about Endeavour before putting it on the list except for the ones you have used. Next time just does a proper background check before just putting out what you think.
Have you tested Arch GUI?
No not yet. Is it good?
@@TheLinuxCast I don't know, that's why I asked, I don't have any energy to create a video about Linux atm. I'm fighting with a defective pm2 that won't autostart my bot, because it isn't able to synchronize to the save. I'm starting to get really darn pissed of, so I'm making some startup commands instead. ^^
Well the community around manjaro is bad so bad for new users or beginners last night i back to windows after 2 week using manjaro i was planning to dual boot windows and pop os or elementary os then i see ur video i didn't know arcolinux distro i like it and i think it's perfect to learn fast and more about linux :) ty
RebornOs is the most underestimated , is a fork (the real descendent) of defunct Antergos
their installer is just garbade it took me like 1 hour just to refresh mirrors and like 3 hours to end installation the first time installed
if you install offline endeauvour os, you'll have to update the keyring first. if you're like me and have no idea what you're doing, you won't know why your system is failing to update.
I have found all of these too bloated for my potato laptop. I go with Arch Linux GUI Plasma 25th anniversary edition, slimmest Calamaris installation I have experienced.
The great thing about arch is the ease of installing packages, I hate pre-installed packages unless absolutely necessary.
I use endeavour os, and it's great
Hay dude.. please make a video on ArchLinuxGUI
Arco installers are so fragmented I'm surprised Eric knows what's going on anymore.
Just Arcolinux
If I were to go arch based - and not do vanilla - I'd go with endeavouros because it seems closest to vanilla but with an easy installer. Arco seems too bloated with options and if I have to sift through 3,000 RUclips videos to troubleshoot issues then a) that's a lot of issues I could potentially run into and b) who has time to watch video tutorials whenever an issue comes up?
Most of Eric's videos are really how tos, not troubleshooting
Tl;dr please distro hop on Arch based distros ....
And more moving.
Yuhhhhh
Arcolinux is by far my go to!!!
You forgot XeroLinux!
For once I disagree. I think you're better off using arch vanilla, or not use arch at all.
What the heck is the DIFFERENCE between ubuntu/debian and ARCH?? All this is confusing.. I'm OLD and I don't WANT to learn a lot of stuff on this.. i like just USING it..
If you don't have the interest in learning Linux, you're going to get lost, fast.
But to answer your question, Ubuntu/Debian distros are static releases distros, that means that updates come in similar to what you'd get on Windows, on a schedule. This often means that you don't get the latest versions of software, but it also means your OS and your software is more stable, as you're not using the updates before they're tested by a lot of people.
Arch and Arch-based distros are rolling releases. This means that updates come in as soon as they are placed in the repositories. This means you get the latest and greatest software as soon as it is released. It also tends to be more buggy and less stable, though it's not always true.
My recommendation is to use something like Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop. That is very similar to Windows in look and feel, and is a static release distro based on Ubuntu. It's not my favorite, but it is good for new users, and there is a big community out there that will be willing to help you if you get stuck.
Hope that helps.
@@TheLinuxCast I'm not a NEW user- I do know SOME command line stuff- just think it's STUPID when the gui's do the same stuff... and I've been through several distros so far- liked them ALL-- especiailly POP OS, Zorin 16, Feren OS, even MX-- except MX to mee has TOO MUCH choice-- get analysis paralysis.. :) THanks for the answer. BUT I was wondering if the coding is different.. at the base or something. doesn't matter.. I have MINT for now- and will use some of the others I've tried when I really need a change.. I just need to keep up with ubuntu to see if they get crazy into Google crap- and if they do- as most companies that get close to them do because of $$$-- then I'm dropping it.
Arch based distros go against the principles of Arch which is simplicity. They're full of bloat just so people can say I use Arch BTW, sort of. It's not hard to install Arch and you'll get a better experience and you'll get some experience. You'll learn a lot less from using a variant.
u trying to start a flame war? lol.
Always trying to do that, yes.
EndeavorOS
i used ARCO for 2 years it is really bad full of bugs specially if you have nvidia graphics card it is really bad i had many softwares not working at all but now i am in manjaro and it is just perfect everything works perfectly in it and nvidia drivers is good too and by the way Erik is amazing but the admins are really rude in discord server my point is arco is really bad really really bad
No Artix but bloaty shit with 100 things you'd never need? 🤔
I hate arco linux I have nothing but problems every time I install it
I use Garuda Linux as my daily driver, and I don't ever game.
You need to eat less, dude.