Manjaro Linux LXDE Community Edition

Manjaro Linux LXDE Community Edition is an open source, community driven edition of the Manjaro Linux operating system, this time using LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) as the default window manager.

A very good candidate for low-end computers

Even if it’s a community edition, Manjaro Linux LXDE features the same applications as the main edition, and the fact that it uses LXDE, which is very similar to XFCE, makes it a very good candidate for low-end computers.

A simple, lightweight and basic desktop environment

Because LXDE is a simple, lightweight and basic desktop environment, it does not allow for eye-candiness. The Manjaro Linux LXDE session can be compared with a Windows XP one, except for the fact that it includes only open source software and it’s totally free.

A distribution of Linux based on Arch Linux

The development team behind the Manjaro project did a terrific job at promoting the Arch Linux operating system to the masses, especially because of the Live CD environments (test before you install) and the powerful installer, which is very similar to the one used by the Ubuntu operating system.

Includes a great set of open source applications

Default utilities include the 7-Zip archive manager, Catfish file search, Galculator, Gedit text editor, LXTerminal terminal emulator, Evince document viewer, dconf editor, Avahi suite, and the GParted disk partitioning app.

Default applications include the PCManFM file manager, Midori web browser, Sylpheed email client, LibreOffice office suite, AbiWord word processing app, HexChat IRC client, Gnumeric spreadsheet software, SMPlayer video player, and LXMusic audio player.

As you can see, there are very few applications installed in Manjaro Linux LXDE, and only one for each task. The desktop environment features a single panel that comprises the Main Menu, application launcher, desktop switcher, and system tray area.

Bottom line

The applications and functionality implemented in this Manjaro edition are of a high-quality, and in our opinion it could become an official Manjaro edition for low-end computers, next to the Manjaro Linux Xfce one.

What is new in this release:

• kernel 4.1.8 LTS, Manjaro Settings Manager, lxdm
• gimp, gpicview, mtpaint
• hexchat, palemoon, sylpheed, transmission
• abiword, qpdfview
• clementine, lxmusic, mpv, smplayer, manjaro-pulse, pavucontrol
• pamac, lxdm configurator, pcmanfm, gparted, xsensors, lxtask, isousb
• network-manager, AUR support

What is new in version 15.09:

• kernel 4.1.8 LTS, Manjaro Settings Manager, lxdm
• gimp, gpicview, mtpaint
• hexchat, palemoon, sylpheed, transmission
• abiword, qpdfview
• clementine, lxmusic, mpv, smplayer, manjaro-pulse, pavucontrol
• pamac, lxdm configurator, pcmanfm, gparted, xsensors, lxtask, isousb
• network-manager, AUR support

What is new in version 0.8.13.1:

• New graphical boot screen
• New 0.8.4 visual style and desktop theme
• Kernel version 3.7 replaces 3.4 as the default (with improved flash support)
• Manjaro Exclusive: Pamac - a user user-friendly graphical interface to easily update the system and manage software - replaces Kalu, Package Browser, and the Pacman-GUI.
• Lightweight office applications have been pre-installed (e.g. Abiword and Gnumeric)
• Full printing support is provided out of the box
• Vastly improved bootup speed
• Default Home folders (Downloads, Pictures, etc.) are now automatically provided
• Removable media (e.g. USB sticks) can now be mounted
• Other partitions can be seen and accessed
• The trash function is fully operational

What is new in version 0.8.11:

• New graphical boot screen
• New 0.8.4 visual style and desktop theme
• Kernel version 3.7 replaces 3.4 as the default (with improved flash support)
• Manjaro Exclusive: Pamac - a user user-friendly graphical interface to easily update the system and manage software - replaces Kalu, Package Browser, and the Pacman-GUI.
• Lightweight office applications have been pre-installed (e.g. Abiword and Gnumeric)
• Full printing support is provided out of the box
• Vastly improved bootup speed
• Default Home folders (Downloads, Pictures, etc.) are now automatically provided
• Removable media (e.g. USB sticks) can now be mounted
• Other partitions can be seen and accessed
• The trash function is fully operational