I find Arch Linux incredibly customizable and efficient-that’s what draws me to it. The manual installation process can be intimidating at first, but I’ve discovered several Arch-based distros that simplify things while maintaining that speed and minimal resource footprint I value. Whether I’m reviving old hardware or just want something snappy, these options work beautifully for me.
Vanilla Arch: The Ultimate Control
When I want absolute control, I go with a minimal Arch install. I handpick every component, keeping RAM usage between 200-300 MB with i3 or dwm. The manual installation teaches me so much about how Linux actually works, though I appreciate that helper scripts like archinstall now exist for those who want them.
The learning curve is steep, but rewarding. Every configuration choice is mine, and I understand exactly what’s running on my system. There’s something satisfying about building from the ground up.
ArchBang: Simplicity Meets Minimalism
I’ve tried ArchBang for its Openbox setup-it gives me that vanilla Arch feel with simpler installation. Nothing can top Vanilla Arch but RAM & CPU usage is pretty decent. Perfect when I’m working with older machines.
What I appreciate most is how it maintains Arch’s philosophy while removing the initial barrier. It’s close enough to vanilla that I can still apply standard Arch documentation, but I don’t spend hours configuring base systems.
EndeavourOS: My Recommendation for Newcomers
For anyone I recommend to newcomers, EndeavourOS is my go-to. The friendly installer doesn’t compromise Arch principles, and I’ve found the community genuinely helpful. With XFCE or i3, I see 500-600 MB idle usage - a sweet spot for learning.
The balance here is perfect: accessible enough for beginners, yet true enough to Arch that experienced users don’t feel constrained. I’ve introduced several friends to Arch through EndeavourOS, and they’ve all had positive experiences.
ArcoLinux: The Educational Approach
ArcoLinux appeals to my learning side. The extensive tutorials and minimal spins (i3, Openbox) at around 300 MB help me understand Arch’s inner workings without getting lost.
What sets ArcoLinux apart is its three ISO approach: ArcoLinuxD (minimal), ArcoLinuxB (with window managers), and ArcoLinux (full featured). I started with ArcoLinux, learned the ropes, then moved to ArcoLinuxD once I understood what I needed.
Archcraft: Aesthetic Minimalism
Archcraft impressed me with its aesthetic-themed Openbox or BSPWM setups that stay minimal at 250-300 MB. It doesn’t feel spartan on my low-end laptop.
The pre-configured themes are gorgeous out of the box, which saves me hours of dotfile tweaking. Yet everything remains lightweight and responsive. It’s proof that minimal doesn’t have to mean ugly.
CachyOS: Performance Optimized
When I need maximum performance, CachyOS delivers with optimized kernels. The WM editions run about 500 MB and genuinely squeeze more from my hardware, especially on newer CPUs.
The custom-compiled kernels with CPU-specific optimizations make a noticeable difference in responsiveness. For my Desktop, this is my preferred choice. The performance tweaks extend beyond just the kernel-the entire system feels snappier.
Garuda Linux: Balanced Performance
I appreciate Garuda’s i3 edition for its snapshots and performance tweaks at 350-450 MB-much lighter than their gaming-focused builds.
The automatic BTRFS snapshots give me peace of mind when experimenting. I’ve rolled back problematic updates more than once without losing any work. The performance tools are helpful, though I disable some of the more aggressive tweaks on older hardware.
Crystal Linux: The Newcomer
Crystal Linux intrigues me as a newer, immutable-style option. At around 400 MB, it’s still developing, but I’m watching it with interest.
The immutable approach is fascinating-it borrows ideas from NixOS while maintaining Arch compatibility. I’m keeping it on my radar as the project matures.
RebornOS: Flexible Installation
RebornOS gives me choice during installation-graphical but minimal at 300-400 MB, with nothing forced.
The installer lets me pick exactly which desktop environment, window manager, or additional software I want. It’s like having a custom Arch install without the command-line complexity.
Manjaro: The Stable Alternative
Manjaro’s i3 or minimal XFCE sits heavier at 400-500 MB, but I value the hardware compatibility and delayed updates when I need stability.
I know Manjaro divides the community-holding back packages for testing frustrates some purists, but I’ve found it prevents many headaches on production machines. The hardware detection is excellent, especially for laptops.
My Decision Framework
Here’s how I choose:
- Absolute minimum resources: Manual Arch with i3/dwm
- Ease of use: EndeavourOS
- Reviving old hardware: Vanilla Arch > ArchBang > Archcraft
- Raw performance: CachyOS
- Stability priority: Manjaro
What I love about the Arch ecosystem is this flexibility-I can go fully minimal or accept some guidance. If I were starting fresh today, I’d probably try EndeavourOS first, then graduate to manual Arch once comfortable.
The beauty of Arch-based distributions is that they respect your choice. Whether you’re a tinkerer who wants to understand every system component or someone who just wants a fast, efficient desktop without the bloat, there’s an option that fits your needs perfectly.
Plus the AUR - that is the reason I’ve been with Arch most of the time. The Arch User Repository gives me access to virtually any software I need, often more current than what other distros offer. It’s this combination of minimal systems and maximum software availability that keeps me in the Arch ecosystem.