Manjaro 24.2 “Yonada” Released, Here’s What’s New

Manjaro, the renowned Arch-based Linux distribution, has announced the release of its latest version, Manjaro 24.2 “Yonada.”

Following the successful launch of “Xahea” in October 2024, the development team has focused on delivering enhanced features and improvements across its GNOME, Plasma, and XFCE editions.

This release promises to elevate the user experience with a blend of aesthetic, functional, and performance upgrades.

GNOME Edition: A Splash of Color and Enhanced Usability

The GNOME edition in Manjaro 24.2 is powered by the GNOME 47 series, which introduces several notable enhancements.

One of the most exciting features is the introduction of accent colors, allowing users to personalize their desktop environment with a variety of color options beyond the default blue.

This customization can be easily managed through the Appearance settings, providing a more visually appealing interface.

Additionally, GNOME 47 improves usability on lower-resolution displays by optimizing icon and interface scaling.

This ensures that icons are larger and more accessible, enhancing interaction on such screens.

The update also includes hardware-accelerated screen recording for Intel and AMD GPUs, reducing system load and improving recording quality—ideal for users engaged in creating tutorials or recording gameplay.

Furthermore, GNOME’s remote desktop functionality has been enhanced with persistent sessions that allow users to reconnect without losing their work state.

The Files search feature now provides contextual information about search performance, helping users optimize their search results.

Plasma Edition: Creative Tools and Energy Efficiency

The Plasma edition in Manjaro 24.2 features KDE Plasma 6.2, which continues to refine its user experience with new tools and optimizations.

Notably, it offers comprehensive support for drawing tablets, making it an attractive choice for digital artists. This includes advanced configuration options accessible via the System Settings.

Plasma 6.2 also improves Wayland color management, ensuring consistent color representation across multiple monitors—a crucial feature for professionals who rely on precise visual outputs.

The energy management system has been overhauled to provide better control over power consumption, allowing users to override applications that prevent the system from sleeping or locking screens.

Accessibility improvements include new color blindness filters and enhanced sticky key support, making the desktop more inclusive for users with specific needs.

XFCE Edition: Lightweight Yet Feature-Rich

For those who prefer a lightweight desktop environment, the XFCE edition brings version 4.18 with several practical updates.

The Thunar file manager now supports file highlighting, enabling users to assign custom backgrounds

and text colors to files for easier identification in cluttered directories.

Panel customization has been improved with options to set panel length in pixels and allow maximized windows to occupy space behind panels.

The centralized Control Center consolidates system settings management into one interface, offering new options such as disabling header bars in dialogs and configuring multi-monitor behavior.

With these comprehensive updates, Manjaro 24.2 “Yonada” promises an enhanced Linux experience for both new and seasoned users alike.

Whether you’re interested in customization, creative tools, or simply a stable operating system, Yonada delivers on all fronts.

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