Manjaro 26 has recently been reviewed and unfortunately, it has been found lacking, leading to disappointment among its users. The article discusses how the operating system fails to deliver on its promises, especially for those hoping for a seamless transition from Windows. The reviewer, Timo Tamminen, suggests that despite the potential for a successful product, this iteration feels more like a step backward than forward, highlighting usability issues that could deter users from making the switch.

The review underscores that while Manjaro has a reputation for user-friendliness in the Linux community, this version has not met expectations. Features advertised in previous releases seem underwhelming or problematic in this build, leading to a sentiment that Linux distributions, particularly this one, are not yet ready to replace established operating systems like Windows for a general user base. Tamminen notes that while the underlying potential for Manjaro remains, the execution in this release leaves much to be desired.

Furthermore, the article contextualizes this review within a broader narrative of Linux distributions trying to penetrate the mainstream market, where Windows and macOS dominate. The implications for users considering a switch are clear; many might decide to remain on Windows rather than encountering the pitfalls of an imperfect alternative. For a community that thrives on innovation and improvement, this version of Manjaro serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in software development, particularly in competing with entrenched operating systems.