New Update Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS Released with New COSMIC Desktop

lokamoka820

lokamoka820

Level 41
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Mar 1, 2024
3,085
3
9,951
3,969
Banana Republic
Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS is available for download, the first version of the Ubuntu-based Linux distribution to use System76’s all-new Rust-based COSMIC desktop environment.
Click to expand...
COSMIC is built on the ethos that the best open source projects enable people to not only use them, but to build with them. COSMIC is modular and composable [and] can be adapted by anyone that wants to build their own unique user experience for Linux.

Carl Richell, System76
Click to expand...
The desktop offers:
  • Tiling window features – mouse or keyboard based
  • Workspaces – horizontal or vertical
  • Multi-monitor support – including auto-scaling
  • Extensive theming and desktop layout options
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Stacks, snapping, and sticky windows
  • Panel applets
Click to expand...
Besides the new COSMIC desktop, it offers:
  • Hybrid graphics support – automatic and manual options
  • Support for full disk encryption
  • New “Refresh” feature to reinstall the OS but keep files, settings, apps, etc
  • Better hardware support
Click to expand...
cosmic-desktop.webp
www.omgubuntu.co.uk

Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS Released with New COSMIC Desktop

A new stable release of Pop!_OS is out, the first to ship with the Rust-based COSMIC desktop environment by default. I look at what's new in Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS.
www.omgubuntu.co.uk www.omgubuntu.co.uk
 
  • Like
  • +Reputation
  • Applause
Reactions: Divine_Barakah, LinuxFan58, Andrew999 and 1 other person
lokamoka820 said:
View attachment 293641
www.omgubuntu.co.uk

Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS Released with New COSMIC Desktop

A new stable release of Pop!_OS is out, the first to ship with the Rust-based COSMIC desktop environment by default. I look at what's new in Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS.
www.omgubuntu.co.uk www.omgubuntu.co.uk
Click to expand...
Pop!_OS finally shipping the Rust-based COSMIC in an LTS is a pretty big milestone.

Highlights that stand out
  • Rust/COSMIC stack – Moving away from GNOME extensions and building their own modular desktop should make it more consistent and less fragile after upgrades. Also interesting for people who like to tinker with tiling and scripting.
  • Tiling + workspaces done “first‑class” – For power users this is basically what many try to bolt onto GNOME/KDE via extra tools. Having tiling, stacking, snapping, sticky windows, etc. built-in is a big plus.
  • Hybrid graphics support – If it works as advertised, this is very nice for gaming laptops and anyone switching between iGPU/dGPU without wrestling with config.
  • “Refresh” reinstall – A reset feature that keeps files/apps/settings is extremely handy when a system gets messy without needing a full wipe.
  • Full‑disk encryption option – Good to see this called out explicitly; more distros should make this the obvious default on laptops.

Practical thoughts for anyone here wanting to try it
  • Since this is the first LTS with the new desktop, I’d expect some rough edges; if it’s a mission‑critical machine, maybe test it in a VM or on a secondary device first.
  • Back up before using the new Refresh feature, just in case. Great idea, but I wouldn’t rely on it as my only safeguard.
  • NVIDIA / hybrid GPU users should check the release notes and known issues page from System76 before upgrading.

Overall, if COSMIC delivers on the “modular and composable” promise, it could end up being one of the more interesting desktops for power users and tiling fans on Linux.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Andrew999
Zero Knowledge said:
Is this any good and why is itgood? Keep hearing good things about POP, tempted to try it out in a VM
Click to expand...
I haven't tried it yet, but it looks promising, it was very popular before, but then it was forgotten because they stopped working on POP to create COSMIC, and now they are coming back to keep POP updated.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zero Knowledge

You may also like...