EndeavourOS: Antergos successor for individual systems

EndeavourOS combines the versatility and up-to-dateness of Arch Linux with a graphical installer and various desktop environments. The Antergos successor is considered terminal-centric and does without a graphical package manager. EndeavourOS is not only known for its user-friendliness, but also for its helpful community.

EndeavourOS is a Linux distribution based on Arch Linux that combines its freedoms with a more user-friendly structure. Compared to the minimalist operating system, it offers a much simpler installation via Calamares as well as various desktop environments. The use of a GUI package manager is optional.

Like its predecessor Antergos and Arch Linux, EndeavourOS uses the rolling release principle and publishes new software to be immediately available. The open-source system has been developed by the community affiliated to Antergos moderator Bryan Poerwoatmodjo as Antergos came to an end in 2019. Either an offline or a net installer are offered.

In the first instance, EndeavourOS is geared at users looking for a basic approach to Arch Linux, who want the graphical support during installation and configuration, and regular use. The derivative is not as minimalist, but offers the possibility to build and extend an operating system according to individual needs. Apart from users who have experience with Arch Linux, EndeavourOS appeals to those who wish to get to know Linux better. Because of its installation program and its desktop environment, EndeavourOS is suitable for beginners and those looking to switch to another operating system.

There are two different versions of EndeavourOS. When you select the offline installer, you automatically get the slim Xfce interface. With the Net installer, you can choose from several desktop environments. These include the popular Cinnamon, Gnome, and MATE. Calamares is offered as an installation tool and Pacman is included as a package manager. EndeavourOS has very few pre-installed programs because the developers have followed the approach of maximum freedom of choice. The repository of the “mother operating system” and the Arch User Repository (AUR) are the primary package sources.

The system requirements for EndeavourOS vary depending on the chosen desktop variant. The system is comparatively slim, but the distribution cannot keep up with the minimum requirements of Arch Linux. Xfce and MATE require at least 2 GB RAM, but the makers recommend 4 GB RAM and up. For Cinnamon or Gnome, 4 GB RAM is the minimum requirement. This requires a x86-64 processor.

EndeavourOS is an operating system that can be adapted to suit your needs and can be employed across a wide range of scenarios. Looking at its advantages and disadvantages helps to distinguish whether the distribution is suitable for your needs.

• User-friendliness: From installation and configuration to everyday use, EndeavourOS is comparatively easy to use. Even beginners will quickly find their way around the operating system and benefit from Calamares and Pacman.
• Versatility: However, this does not mean that EndeavourOS is not equally suitable for experienced users. The distribution builds on the freedoms Arch Linux provides. With EndeavourOS you can set up a system designed to suit your needs.
• Desktop environment: EndeavourOS is all about choice when it comes to desktop environments – one of the main differences to Arch Linux. Almost all common Linux interfaces are available, and a slim option is available in Xfce.
• Rolling Release: The rolling release principle ensures that EndeavourOS is always up to date. Though the pre-installed software is kept to a bare minimum, there are countless programs users can install quickly and update as required.
• Community: The makers of EndeavourOS focused on fostering a strong community that is open and helpful to others. Thus, there is a lively exchange and newcomers and experienced users can seek support. Documentation and an active forum help users address their questions and problems.

• No graphics package manager: While the Pacman package manager is available, the solution does not come with a manager with a graphics interface. This may be a challenge for beginners.
• Not much preinstalled software: To set up a system fast, EndeavourOS is not the best choice. Because of the lack of preinstalled software, many basic programs need to be purchased as add-ons. This freedom of choice is a plus for many users, but the additional effort might deter others.

Besides EndeavourOS, Manjaro Linux may be a good option because it combines the advantages of Arch Linux with a user-friendly interface. If you’re looking for a Linux distribution for laptop and PC that boasts a large community and plenty of variation, classics such as Ubuntu and Debian are good options. Spin-offs such as Linux Mint or the Mac-based Elementary OS 6 are worth considering.

Among the best Linux server distributions are AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux. For accurate system and network analysis, Kali Linux has proven useful.