As Ubuntu approaches its 20th anniversary, anticipation builds for the upcoming release, Ubuntu 24.10. I recently downloaded the daily build and live-booted it on a Dell workstation, and I was immediately struck by how different and polished this version feels compared to its predecessors.
GNOME 47 Extensions Availability
For GNOME users, simply having a new release isn’t enough; we need access to our essential GNOME extensions. I’m pleased to report that developers have already ported popular extensions like Battery Health Charging and Dash to Panel to this latest GNOME version.
Battery Health Charging is a staple for my Zephyrus laptop. Working primarily in an office environment, I prefer to charge my battery only up to 60%. While my laptop model isn’t fully supported in KDE Plasma, GNOME offers a robust battery care implementation that I greatly appreciate.
New Kernel and Software Upgrades
I was fortunate to download the Ubuntu 24.10 daily build on the 17th, just as developers upgraded the kernel to the latest version 6.11. Additionally, the build includes Thunderbird 128, ensuring users have access to the most up-to-date software.
One noteworthy feature is a new application designed for fine-tuning permissions for snap packages. This application promises to improve user experience significantly, especially for those who’ve encountered issues with accessing files on other drives in the past.
Overall Impressions
I purchased my laptop over two years ago, and initially, Fedora was the only viable option for those of us steering clear of Windows. However, as drivers have improved over time, other distributions became increasingly functional. I transitioned to Manjaro GNOME Minimal Edition, which I found particularly well-suited for web design and Python programming.
During a trip to Europe in the fall of 2023, I wiped my laptop clean and installed a new Linux distribution for security reasons. I chose Ubuntu 23.10, expecting only basic functionality for email and photo transfers. To my surprise, Ubuntu performed so well that I felt no need to revert to Manjaro upon returning home.
However, my experience with Ubuntu 24.10 has rekindled my enthusiasm. Unlike the troubled 24.04 release, this latest daily build is impressive. Although I didn’t install it, Ubuntu felt responsive even when running off a USB-C flash drive. With the latest kernel and Thunderbird 128 included, I am excited to dive deeper into testing once the final version is released.
Looking Ahead
In summary, Ubuntu 24.10 is shaping up to be a significant release, offering improved performance and essential updates that cater to user needs. I look forward to integrating it into my workflow, and I can already envision at least one workstation here running the latest and greatest from Ubuntu. Stay tuned for further updates as we approach the official release!
