Manjaro 25.0 ‘Zetar’ joins the April 2025 Linux release wave alongside Fedora and Ubuntu. Discover what’s new in this Arch-based distro—from GNOME 48 to refined performance tweaks.
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Each April, Linux enthusiasts know they’re in for a treat—and 2025 has been no exception. Although Fedora 40 and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS made the headlines earlier this month, Manjaro 25.0 ‘Zetar’ has now joined the release party and has plenty to offer.
Let’s take a look at what makes ‘Zetar’ special and why it might just be the distro to reboot your workflow.
A Name That Sounds Like Sci-Fi—and Delivers Like One
Manjaro devs like to name their releases after stars, and ‘Zetar’ is no different. Not only is the name cool but it also captures the cosmic scale of refinement this version provides. Powered by the constantly adaptable Arch base, Manjaro 25.0 offers stability, performance, and cutting-edge tech in one neat package—without overwhelming you.
Desktop Environments That Fit Like a Glove
Whether you’re into eye candy or prefer minimalism, Zetar has something for all:
- GNOME 48: This major upgrade adds improved multitasking, UI consistency, and smoother animations. It is sleeker and seamless.
- Plasma 6.3.4: KDE fans, it’s time to rejoice! Plasma 6 brings with it Wayland-by-default, sharp visuals, and refined touch gestures that gives it a futuristic look.
- XFCE 4.20: Brings forth refinements. The Thunar file manager now lets you customize the background and text color for files, offers multiple power profiles, and provides more flexibility for panel customization, making user experience smoother and more personalized.
Switching between these DEs feels like changing outfits—you get the same body (Arch), but dressed differently for different moods.
Performance, Under-the-Hood Updates & Smooth User Experience
However flashy desktop environments catch the eye, but it’s the behind-the-scenes improvements that makes Manjaro 25.0 feel seamlessly smooth:
- Linux Kernel 6.12 LTS: Manjaro 25.0 now enables Intel Xe2 and Battlemage GPU by default and introduces better hardware support, improved power management and increased performance.
- PipeWire is becoming the preferred audio and video server of choice, replacing PulseAudio across all Linux distributions.
- Calamares installers receive better UI upgrades and quicker installation processes, making it easy and comfortable for newcomers.
- Pamac, Manjaro’s signature package manager, has become faster, more intuitive, and still one of the best graphical tools to manage Arch packages.
Snap, Flatpak, and AUR—All at Your Fingertips
Zetar keeps it open and flexible. Whether you’re team Snap, Flatpak, or die-hard AUR fan, it doesn’t ask you to choose sides. With Pamac, it’s a few clicks to install anything. No terminal tricks needed (unless you want to, of course).
Why Manjaro 25.0 Zetar Stands Out in 2025’s Linux Crowd
While Fedora 40 is aimed at catering developers who love cutting-edge software and Ubuntu 24.04 plays it safe for LTS users, Manjaro 25.0 maintains a unique balance. It’s modern but stable. Arch-based, but user-friendly. And most of all, it respects your time.
It lets you use your OS the way you want to without spending hours configuring stuffs.
Should You Switch to Manjaro Zetar?
Here’s a quick checklist:
- Want the Arch experience without the Arch pain (manual setup)? Yes.
- Need an OS that works well with both older and newer hardware? Absolutely.
- Looking for a system that just works and lets you create? Go for it.
If that sounds like your vibe, Zetar is worth a spin even if you’re a Fedora or Ubuntu loyalist.
Final Thoughts: Zetar Is More Than Just an Update—It’s a Statement
With Manjaro 25.0 ‘Zetar’, the team behind this beloved Arch-based distro shows that elegance, efficiency and raw power can coexist. Whether you’re a seasoned Linux user or a curious explorer, Zetar welcomes you with open arms and a sleek interface.
And while it may not grab headlines like its Fedora and Ubuntu cousins, it doesn’t need to. It knows what it is—and that quiet confidence speaks volumes.