Manjaro Linux, the middle-ground distribution for those who want regular updates but don't want to go to Arch directly has a brand new release out.
For users who run Manjaro already, you just need to run updates as normal since it's something of a semi-rolling distribution that keeps updates flowing in. For new users, this releases serve as the entry point with new downloadable media with all the latest customizations sorted.
Manjaro Linux 20.2 'Nibia' updates all editions and desktops available, with their GNOME 3.38 update being "possibly the biggest update" they've done so far. GNOME 3.38 was released back in September, bringing with it some great enhancements like better multi-monitor support.
Pictured - Manjaro Xfce 20.2
The Manjaro Application-Utility saw plenty of work with it letting you easily pick your favourite browsers, office suites, password managers and they've added in two window tiling options with Pop-shell and the touch friendly Material-shell. I'm a huge fan of the Pop-shell so it's nice to see that in.
With this update their flagship Xfce edition pulls in Xfce 4.14, which they continue to say "only a few can claim to offer such a polished, integrated and leading-edge Xfce experience". For the KDE edition they've upgraded to the Plasma 5.20 desktop which much like the GNOME update, has a vast amount of improvements like better Wayland support.
For the internals they're defaulting now to Linux Kernel 5.9, with Kernel 5.4 available with minimal-ISO downloads for older hardware support if needed. Their installer, Calamares, also now supports encrypted systems without encrypted /boot partition.
Find it on the Manjaro website.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
While I have some minor "annoyances" with Gnome, I can't believe how well is Wayland/XWayland for games. Some of then even improve fps and fixed a delay input problem I had with some games, so I don't regret my change.
I personally think Manjaro did well making Gnome default to Wayland like Fedora is already doing, In order to improve the compositors and I hope KDE users can also benefit somehow from it.
benjamimgois Dec 4, 2020
TheRiddick Dec 4, 2020
I tried wayland for Plasma, and well, it was terrible. Programs failed to launch, top title bars didn't render correctly, etc... Mind you this was on Pop!_OS, I want to go back to arch linux but atm no install media will work with NAVI so maybe I'll wait until next point release.
Last edited by TheRiddick on 4 December 2020 at 10:12 pm UTC
Quoting: TheRiddickI was not able to get past a black screen with my 6800XT card. So while they say it supports NAVI-2, it doesn't in my case.
I tried wayland for Plasma, and well, it was terrible. Programs failed to launch, top title bars didn't render correctly, etc... Mind you this was on Pop!_OS, I want to go back to arch linux but atm no install media will work with NAVI so maybe I'll wait until next point release.
Hey, the 6800 needs Kernel 5.10.
I have one. Just install Linux-mainline from AUR
Quoting: syxbitQuoting: TheRiddickI was not able to get past a black screen with my 6800XT card. So while they say it supports NAVI-2, it doesn't in my case.
I tried wayland for Plasma, and well, it was terrible. Programs failed to launch, top title bars didn't render correctly, etc... Mind you this was on Pop!_OS, I want to go back to arch linux but atm no install media will work with NAVI so maybe I'll wait until next point release.
Hey, the 6800 needs Kernel 5.10.
I have one. Just install Linux-mainline from AUR
i have a 6800 too. I updated before the purchase and it works. Live usb is another matter, it hangs before even be able to TTY. It's a hassle for most users to install like that...
Projectile Vomit Dec 5, 2020
Does anyone know how to safely change this to the proper drivers? Last time I tried, I ended up with a black screen. I don't want to switch to another distro, because I am getting better response from Manjaro with my music recording, than I have with other distros.
Quoting: Projectile VomitI love Manjaro (I use the KDe spin), but I still don't understand the Hybrid video driver thing. I have an Nvidia 960M, but I get none of the features, now. For the record, a lot of the hi-res video games run like crap, if they run at all.
Does anyone know how to safely change this to the proper drivers? Last time I tried, I ended up with a black screen. I don't want to switch to another distro, because I am getting better response from Manjaro with my music recording, than I have with other distros.
i am interested aswell, i am still on 430.64 on my 960m laptop... i suspect that's the last drivers compatible with my laptop...
Quoting: BielFPsI can't believe how well is Wayland/XWayland for games...As a big Manjaro KDE fan (use it on my gaming rig), I have to say I can't believe how much farther ahead Wayland is on Gnome, and Manjaro Gnome Wayland is my daily driver on my work laptop. The Wayland specific Gnome gestures are fantastic, and I now can't live without them. Oddly, animations on Gnome in Wayland, though, don't seem as smooth as on x when I compare them to my wife's Manjaro Gnome install... Overall, though, I agree that Gnome Wayland is surprisingly good right now...
TheRiddick Dec 6, 2020
Quoting: syxbitI have one. Just install Linux-mainline from AUR
Yeah I used a 5.10rc6 repo someone posted. But the point is the DE install media will crash, you need to do it all via Architect or built a install image yourself with 5.10 baked in.
Basically adds layers of complexity to installing Linux which MOST casual desktop users would have no idea about whats going on, too me a couple tries to understand the interface options.
I ended up deleting windows10 install in the process (oops), I'll slap that back on later down the line for VR/CP77 stuff.
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