Unlike most other Linux distros that burden users with ample choice, KaOS has consciously decided to keep the options limited. The installable live distro is available only for 64-bit machines and offers only KDE as the desktop environment (DE). Its repos only feature x86_64 packages and the install yields a GTK-free base system.
Being a rolling release, users don't have to worry about fresh installs and complicated upgrades. With the underlying Pacman package management system, a single command is all you need to keep an installed system up to date.
Building blocks
The distro features the distro independent Calamares installer. Like most popular distros, KaOS doesn't let users choose what packages to install. However, the installer does provide several partitioning options, and the chance to carve out partitions to your liking. While there aren't any helpful tool tips to guide first time users, the installation process is straight forward and the install intuitive.
While the distro ships with the usual complement of standard apps, such as browser, office suite, music player and IM clients, it only carries the QT alternatives for each as far as possible. This isn't to say that GTK apps are entirely absent. But you’ll only find these where the QT counter parts aren't up to scratch or the software’s popularity necessitates their inclusion.
The distro doesn't use any upstream repos, choosing instead to build each package from scratch specifically for KaOS in its three repositories. The Core repository contains all the essentials like the Linux kernel, Systemd, etc. The Main repository comprises the drivers, libraries and firmware needed to get the apps to function properly. The apps themselves are relegated into the Apps repository, which is fully rolling. This means that KaOS provides rolling updates for all packages and that no package is ever older than one year, which ensures tighter integration.
The distro ships with Plasma 5 as the default desktop and features KDE 14.12 with all language packs preinstalled, proprietary NVidia drivers and Linux Kernel 3.18.7. It can play YouTube videos out of the box and supports a variety of multimedia formats. Due to its focus on QT apps, the distro offers Calligra 3.8.92 as the default office suite, although LibreOffice is available in the repos. The distro also includes various QT/KDE-specific internet apps such as Qupzilla web browser and KDE-telepathy.
You can install popular GTK apps such as Firefox 35.0.1, Thunderbird 31.4.0, etc. from the repos using the powerful Octopi package management tool. The latest release also features CacheCleaner, a tool for Octopi to remove packages from Pacman cache.
KaOS is designed for a very specific user base: KDE aficionados and advanced users who've finally tired of hopping distros and are skilled enough to work with a rolling release.
This is a well-rounded distro that delivers on its mission statement – a fully functional, rolling KDE release. We gave this a Cloudy Circuitry score of 85/100.
