I tried ArchEZ to see if it really makes Arch Linux easy for beginners – and it delivered

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ZDNET key takeaways

• ArchEZ is an Arch-based Linux distribution.
• Aimed at new users, this distro makes using Arch easy.
• You can download and use ArchEZ for free.

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ArchEZ is an Arch-based Linux distribution that, according to the developer, “is an easy-to-use, highly customisable open source Arch Linux-based OS. It’s fast, secure, and supports all your favourite software and games. No ads, bloat or telemetry here!”

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This description sounds like it could be any Arch-based distribution promising ease of use and the possibility of gaming. But how did this particular take on it fare? I took the distro for a ride to see if it delivered on its promises.

What is ArchEZ?

ArchEZ is an Arch-based Linux distribution that aims to bring Arch to the masses. The developer’s goal was to create an OS that is beginner-friendly, private, privacy-focused, game-supporting, and lightweight. 

The result is a desktop OS with the KDE Plasma DE that has just enough software to get you going, plus the Pamac GUI for installing and managing apps. That last element cannot be overlooked, as many Arch-based distributions either don’t ship with a graphical app store or opt for ones that are a bit too old-school for those new to Linux.

By opting for Pamac, even those who are new to Linux can work with an Arch-based distribution without sweating it. And given that Pamac also handles app/system updates, it’s an all-in-one approach that makes your life considerably easier.

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ArchEZ ships with apps including OnlyOffice, KolourPaint, Filelight, Lutris, OBS Studio, VLC media player, Kate text editor, and plenty of utilities. Although OnlyOffice might seem like a selection a bit off the beaten path, I’m a big fan because the app allows you to work both locally and remotely. Even better, you can set up your own OnlyOffice server on your LAN for a local cloud-based setup.

Although I might have preferred Steam as the default gaming platform, Lutris is a fine option, but isn’t quite as user-friendly as Steam. Fortunately, Steam can be installed via Pamac, meaning anyone can get their game on with ease.

Apps install and open quickly, and the available animations (fewer than other KDE Plasma desktops I’ve used) are smooth.

ArchEZ also simplifies the Arch installation process (which can be hair-pulling) into a point-and-click-affair that anyone can pull off. Kudos on that front.

What about the desktop?

As ArchEZ is aimed at new users, I must discuss the desktop. What the developer has done is create a fairly innocuous layout/theme. It’s simple, it’s basic, it’s familiar. ArchEZ isn’t going to win any awards for best-looking desktop, but it is KDE Plasma, and you can make it exactly what you want.

That basic desktop should make most users feel right at home, as it’s rather Windows-esque in its layout. Although I’m not a fan of basic layouts and themes, I can certainly see how this desktop would appeal to a large cross-section of users.

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My biggest issue with the ArchEZ desktop is that it doesn’t do much to set itself apart from its rivals. I realize this gripe is a bit of a contradiction in terms, given you want a Linux desktop that is instantly familiar. However, given the vast array of Linux desktop distributions on the market, I believe we’ve reached an inflection point where having something specific that differentiates one from another is key.

Yes, ArchEZ achieves its goals: it’s easy to use, and as Arch Linux is its base, that’s an important achievement. But with nothing to lift ArchEZ above the competition, the distro could easily wind up getting lost in a sea of sameness.

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To that end, I suggest the developers provide a unique desktop layout, theme, or elements to make it even easier for new users. If EZ is in the name, then easy should be the game. Provide a welcome app to guide new users; you’ve added the KDE Fundamentals app on the desktop, but why not an ArchEZ Help Center? Walk users through Lutris, OnlyOffice, and any other unfamiliar apps. 

And speaking of apps, enable Flatpak inside Pamac by default. Don’t make users (especially those who don’t know what Flatpak is) hunt for the enable/disable switch (it’s in Pamac > Preferences > Third Party). Once Flatpak is enabled, users will have significantly more apps to install (and many of those apps will be familiar). 

I would easily recommend ArchEZ to any user looking to take their first steps with Arch Linux, and with a few tweaks, I might even recommend it to those who are testing the waters of Linux. It wouldn’t take much work to lift the distro above a lot of the competition. 

Given that ArchEZ is fairly new, I applaud the developer for creating something that could very easily be special.

If you’re interested, you can download the ArchEZ ISO from Sourceforge.