OpenSUSE vs. Manjaro: Which powerhouse Linux distro is best for you?

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• OpenSUSE and Manjaro are both powerhouse distributions.
• If you’re new to Linux, only one of these may be right for you.
• These distributions are free to download and install.

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A long, long time ago, I remember using SUSE Linux. That was before it became SUSE Enterprise Linux Server and evolved into one of Europe’s most widely used enterprise server operating systems.

Over the years, I’ve also used Arch Linux for several desktops.

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Every time I install openSUSE or an Arch-based Linux distribution like Manjaro, I’m reminded just how powerful Linux can be. Each of these distributions demonstrates just how far Linux can go and what it can accomplish.

But which of these powerhouse distributions is the right one for you?

Let’s dive in and find out.

openSUSE

First off, openSUSE comes in two flavors — Tumbleweed and Leap. Leap is the stable version, while Tumbleweed is the rolling release. What’s the difference? Essentially, a rolling release distribution is always up-to-date with the latest software. With a rolling release distribution, you install it once and use it forever.

On the other hand, there’s Leap, which is a more traditional release.

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If you’ve used openSUSE in the past, there’s one significant change that you’ll encounter: YaST (Yet Another Setup Tool) has been deprecated. Although YaST is still in Tumbleweed, it will soon be gone. In YaST’s place is Cockpit, a web-based admin tool.

That should tell you something about openSUSE; it’s not suitable for those new to Linux. openSUSE is designed for experienced users seeking more from their operating system.

OpenSUSE does give you a choice of desktop environments, which means there isn’t a default. In both Tumbleweed and Leap, you can choose from KDE, GNOME, Xfce, LXDE, LXQt, Enlightenment, Cinnamon, MATE, Pantheon, and more. With the exception of Enlightenment, all of those desktops are perfectly suited for anyone wanting a simple, familiar desktop.

Important features found in openSUSE include:

• The default file system is Btrfs, which has automatic snapshots before updates to allow for atomic rollbacks (should something go wrong).
• Zypper is a fast and powerful command-line package manager.
• Open Build Service (OBS) allows developers to easily build and distribute packages for openSUSE and other distributions.
• Online Software Center is the GUI frontend for Zypper.
• Delta RPMs provide efficient updates by downloading only the package differences. 
• Cloud native: Built-in cloud support for the likes of Kubernetes, cloud-ready tools (Helm, Rancher), AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• KVM/QEMU support for VMs.

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The above feature list should give you a clear indication that openSUSE isn’t exactly geared for the average desktop user. OpenSUSE is a serious operating system for people who are serious about technology.

Is openSUSE right for you?

OpenSUSE is built for power users, and I would never recommend this distribution to someone new to Linux. If, on the other hand, you have been using Linux for some time and you’re looking to gain more Linux skills, openSUSE might be the ideal option.

Manjaro

Have you ever wanted to try Arch Linux, but were afraid of the command-line installer? That describes a lot of Linux users.

Arch is powerful. Arch is stable. Arch is reliable. Arch is used for a lot of gaming-centric distributions. 

Arch Linux is also challenging to install.

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That’s where Manjaro comes in.

Imagine Arch Linux with an easy-to-use GUI installer and a GUI app store (Pamac). That’s Manjaro. This distribution makes Arch Linux accessible to a wider audience. It still has the power of Arch underneath all that shiny, user-friendly GUI goodness, but on top, it looks and feels like something even a new-to-Linux user could enjoy.

However, Majaro isn’t only for Linux newbies. This is a distribution that anyone can use, from newbies to administrators to developers.

Some of the features you’ll find in Manjaro include:

• Rolling release: Like openSUSE Tumbleweed, Manjaro is a rolling-release distribution, which means users get continuous updates for software and kernels without needing full system reinstalls.
• A simple graphical installer (Calamares) and setup process make it viable for Linux newcomers. 
• Automatic hardware detection: Automatically detects hardware and installs necessary drivers via mhwd.
• Multi-kernel support: Easily install and switch between various Linux kernel versions using the Manjaro Settings Manager.
• Pamac: A GUI package manager (with AUR support) for easy software installation and updates.

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The default desktop environment for Manjaro is KDE Plasma, so anyone migrating from Windows should have no trouble getting up to speed. On top of that, KDE Plasma is highly configurable, so if you don’t like how it looks out of the box, you can change just about every aspect of the UI.

Is Manjaro right for you?

Manjaro is a great Linux distribution. Not only does it make using Arch Linux vastly easier, but it’s a solid option for just about any skill level. However, because it is a rolling release distribution, there’s always the possibility that something could go wrong. This is exacerbated when you have a lot of software installed. Because of its rolling release nature, all of that software will be constantly updated.

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However, having all your software always up to date can also be seen as a benefit. You’ll never use out-of-date apps, which could contain vulnerabilities. In other words, it’s a trade-off.

Which one is the right one?

Although I could suggest either of these distributions for just about any type of user, I would have to say this:

• OpenSUSE is better suited for those with above-average Linux skills.
• Manjaro is a viable option if you’re OK with using a rolling release distribution.

Both of these distributions are powerful and (if you have the skills) they will serve you well for years to come.