If there’s one thing that truly stands out about Linux, it's the incredible variety it offers. From visually striking desktop environments that blend art and function to minimalist distributions optimized for performance, Linux caters to all tastes.

One standout distribution that has caught everyone’s attention is Garuda Dr460nized, known colloquially as "Dragonized." This accessible yet visually intense version has wowed users for a while now. But Garuda's developers have managed to raise the bar even higher with their latest release, Broadwing. For fans of Dr460nized, rest assured that this beloved distribution will remain as part of Garuda’s diverse offerings.

Among them is the Mokka Edition, a glossy, Catppuccin-themed KDE Plasma desktop experience. This aesthetic variant is nothing short of a revelation for those who value a beautiful workspace.

What’s Behind the Catppuccin Theme?

For the uninitiated, the Catppuccin theme incorporates soothing pastel colors and is highly sought after in the Linux community. Originally designed for GTK-based environments like GNOME and XFCE, the Garuda team has brilliantly adapted it into the KDE Plasma framework, resulting in a visually stunning desktop that is hard to ignore.

Key Features of Garuda's Broadwing Release

Before diving deeper, it’s important to recognize that Garuda is based on Arch Linux. This means that if you’re not a fan of Arch, this distro might not be for you. However, for the adventurous at heart, Garuda provides an excellent entry point.

So, beyond the gorgeous Catppuccin theme, what’s new in the Broadwing release?

- Garuda Rani Welcome App: This new unified tool combines previous welcome, gamer, and assistant applications into one, streamlining user setup and management. - Linux Kernel 6.13: The latest kernel enhances hardware support and boosts performance. - Improved Chaotic-AUR infrastructure: Offering a wider range of applications. - Customization Options for the Dr460nized Edition. - Better Performance for Desktop Environments such as Hyperland, i3, and Sway. - Regular bug fixes, performance enhancements, and security patches.

Having explored and utilized KDE Plasma extensively, I can confidently say that the Mokka Edition of Broadwing may just be the most stunning rendition of this open-source desktop yet. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder; if pastel purples don’t appeal to you, this color palette may not resonate as strongly.

Missing Components and Installation Management

One minor drawback is that, straight out of the box, it lacks an office suite—something essential for a writer like myself. Despite this, the Octopi GUI makes application installation a breeze. Unlike other desktop environments, you won't find the familiar Discover app store due to Arch's preference for Octopi’s streamlined approach. While I personally miss Discover, Octopi handles software installations quite well.

You’ll find essential applications pre-installed, such as FireDragon (a web browser), the Dolphin file manager, and VLC media player. The Garuda Setup Assistant is an invaluable resource, allowing you to customize your software package extensively.

I’ve tested many distributions, but this is one of the first where I felt no need to tweak the desktop. As I admired the Mokka setup, I genuinely couldn't think of a single change I would want to make.

Performance Insights of the Broadwing Edition

Now, let's talk performance. Given its recent release, it’s understandable that Broadwing may not yet offer the smoothest user experience. I initially tested it as a virtual machine with limited resources, but I noticed a few hiccups—such as the Catppuccin theme occasionally lagging when launching FireDragon.

After increasing the virtual machine's RAM from 3GB to 6GB, things improved a bit, yet some theme elements still seemed unstable. Even after applying updates, the Mokka edition retained a slight wobbliness.

Ultimately, I believe these performance quirks are more reflective of the testing environment than the actual distribution. For those looking to genuinely appreciate the beauty of Garuda Broadwing Mokka Edition, I recommend running it on dedicated hardware rather than a virtual machine.

For anyone searching for what could very well be the most stunning Linux distribution of 2025, Garuda Broadwing is definitely worth trying out. Prepare to be dazzled!