Confusing ArcoLinux
Many distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora have different flavors (mainly different desktop environments) of the same Linux core. ArcoLinux, on the other hand, has three different versions – ArcoLinux, ArcoLinuxB and ArcoLinuxD – which serve different needs. The main ArcoLinux comes with all the GUI and niceties, while both ArcoLinuxB and ArcoLinux D are minimal distributions that either come with one desktop or none. They are more similar to Arch Linux and are designed to help users learn more about Linux so that they’re able to handle a more command-line based experience in Arch Linux. This ArcoLinux review focuses on the ArcoLinux ISO.
Installation
The ArcoLinux ISO is 2.1 GB in size. It is not a small ISO and requires a 4GB USB disk (if you are creating a Linux Live USB). Usually, with Arch Linux, you will have to be comfortable using the command line since you have to carry out all of the steps from the command line. With ArcoLinux, the entire installation process is carried out with Calamares, a universal installer framework. Following the instruction on the screen, click “Run GParted” to erase and create your partitions. You are expected to know how to use GParted, though, as there are no instructions on how to resize your hard disk. Once you are done with the partitioning, exit GParted to return to the main screen and click “Run Calamares” to start the installation of ArcoLinux. The first step of the installation is your choice of kernel. There are various kernels to choose from, and you should select according to your GPU chipset. Next, it prompts you to select the Communication tool you want to include in the Desktop. Software like Slack, Skype, Teamviewer, Zoom, etc., are available. The next few screens are selections of software from different categories. There are just too many options that it can be overwhelming for a beginner. The last few screens involve selecting your location, keyboard layout, and partitioning. If you are not sure what to do in the GParted screen earlier on, this partitioning screen provides options on how to manage your partition. Generally, the installation process is easy and smooth, but there are a little too many options when choosing which components and applications you want to have installed. It’s convenient but was a bit overwhelming for me. I feel like if it’s easier to just install the basic things and then worry about installing more applications after the installation is done.
Included Desktops and Programs
The default installation of ArcoLinux comes with Xfce, Openbox and i3. You can select the desktop environment/window manager to boot into. ArcoLinux includes several applications by default. For instance, Conky displays information such as CPU stats and your battery status on the desktop. Plank is the default dock in Elementary OS. It’s also easy to install any additional software you may need. Just go to Settings and from there select “Add/Remove Software.”
Performance
Judging the performance of a Linux distribution is tricky, as it is highly dependent on your hardware and the underlying software. All Xfce, Openbox and i3 are known for being lightweight, so it is not surprising to see that ArcoLinux uses only around nine percent of the available memory and five percent of the CPU during idle. With multiple videos playing, the memory usage was at 31 percent, and the CPU usage hovered around 50 percent. I was still able to use Inkscape comfortably, but it could have been tricky if I had tried to do much more, since I noticed that the CPU spiked to 90 percent. Just to clarify, I installed ArcoLinux on a virtual machine with 4GB RAM, 1 CPU, and 15GB of storage space. This is consistent with the requirements you need for comfortable performance.
User Friendliness and Appearance
In general, ArcoLinux has a dark theme by default. It comes across as modern and looks slick and streamlined. You can also spice things up by displaying widgets with Conky, which installs with ArcoLinux.
Final Thoughts
ArcoLinux’s aim of “educating users about Linux” is mainly about installation of software and packages, not the usage of the desktop. I would appreciate it more if they would provide on-screen tutorials on how to use Xfce, Openbox or i3. While the ability to select (tons of) applications during installation is good, it can be overwhelming for beginners. Meanwhile, you can check out some of the best Arch Linux-based distros out there.
