Manjaro Linux 25 'Zetar' Unveils New Desktop Versions

The Manjaro project has announced the release of Manjaro Linux version 25.0, codenamed 'Zetar'. This latest iteration introduces updated versions of popular desktop environments including GNOME, Plasma, and Xfce, alongside enhancements to its Immutable variant.

Manjaro 25.0 is built on Kernel 6.12, ensuring compatibility with the latest hardware drivers. For users with older systems, the option to utilize long-term support (LTS) kernels, specifically versions 6.1 and 6.6, remains available. The three distinct editions of Manjaro each come with their own desktop environments: Xfce version 4.20, KDE Plasma version 6.3, and GNOME version 48. Each edition includes a graphical live system facilitated by the Calamares installation assistant.

The GNOME edition has incorporated features from GNOME 48, enabling app notifications to be grouped for better usability. Additionally, it employs triple buffering for smoother animations, which enhances performance even at high resolutions such as 4K. Improvements in the GNOME Display Manager, Mutter, have also been made to enhance parallel processing, allowing for a more fluid user experience. Furthermore, the new version supports HDR on compatible displays.

In the KDE Plasma 25 edition, users will find version 6.3, which brings noticeable improvements in fractional scaling. This feature allows users to adjust screen content scaling to intermediate values like 125% or 150%, ensuring UI elements align more precisely with the monitor's pixels for enhanced clarity. Updates to system monitoring tools have resulted in reduced CPU usage while providing more accurate data regarding CPU, GPU, and battery status. Additionally, the touchpad automatically disables when a mouse is detected, improving usability.

The Xfce 25 edition focuses on resource efficiency, utilizing Xfce 4.20. The Thunar file manager now includes options for highlighting files with custom text and background colors, as well as recursive search capabilities. Many setting dialogs within Xfce have been updated with new options, including one to ensure maximized windows do not obscure the Xfce panel.

Moreover, what was previously known as Manjaro Immutable has been rebranded to Manjaro Summit. This variant has transitioned from testing to a public alpha release, offering a 'semi-immutable' distribution. Users can expect atomic updates delivered as complete images, with the root filesystem protected by a write-lock. This design aims to safeguard against malware while allowing users to revert to previous versions in case of issues.

More detailed information about the features and changes in Manjaro Linux 25.0 can be found in the official release notes.