I Tested Pop!_OS 24.04: 9 INSANE Reasons to Upgrade & 3 Reasons to DITCH IT (Unfiltered!)

Summary

Pop OS 24.04 LTS introduces a groundbreaking update with the new Cosmic desktop environment, built from scratch in Rust for a faster, modular, and smoother experience. Key features include hybrid graphics 2.0 for seamless GPU switching, an innovative super key launcher for faster workflow, and enhanced customization options. However, the release isn't without its flaws: missing features like nightlight and HDR, as well as bugs such as focus stealing, may hinder the experience. Despite these issues, Pop OS 24.04 represents a significant leap forward, setting a new standard for Linux desktops and showcasing System76’s bold vision for the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pop OS 24.04 LTS introduces the all-new Cosmic Desktop Environment, built from scratch in Rust, promising a faster, more modular, and snappy experience.
• 🚀 Hybrid Graphics 2.0 allows seamless GPU switching between integrated and dedicated GPUs with just a right-click, improving performance and power efficiency.
• 💻 The Cosmic Desktop brings a hybrid tiling window management system, allowing users to easily toggle between floating and tiled windows with a single hotkey.
• 🖥️ The 'stacking' feature allows users to create tabbed windows for apps, streamlining workflows and improving productivity by keeping related tasks organized.
• 🔑 The Super key launcher in Cosmic offers one-click access to apps, windows, and commands, enhancing the overall workflow with instant responsiveness.
• ⚙️ Pop OS 24.04 features a complete rewrite of the app store (Cosmic Store) with faster performance, better Flatpak and Snap support, and smoother app installation.
• 💡 Cosmic Desktop still lacks certain features like built-in blue light filters (nightlight) and HDR support, which are expected to be added in future updates.
• 💥 The absence of X11 in Pop OS 24.04 means Cosmic is built on a clean, modern Wayland session, resulting in improved smoothness and no screen tearing.
• 💥 The new Rust-based architecture for Cosmic offers modularity, faster performance, and better stability, as individual components can restart independently if they crash.
• ⚠️ While Pop OS 24.04 is groundbreaking, users with older Nvidia cards (GTX 10 series) may face issues due to the focus on modern hardware and the removal of the X11 session.

Q & A

What is the biggest change in Pop OS 24.04 LTS?

The biggest change in Pop OS 24.04 LTS is the introduction of the new Cosmic desktop environment, which replaces the custom GNOME desktop. It's a complete redesign built from scratch using Rust for better performance and stability.

Why did System76 decide to create its own desktop environment?

System76 decided to build its own desktop environment, Cosmic, because maintaining a customized version of GNOME was increasingly difficult. Their GNOME extensions would often break with updates, and they wanted more control over the desktop experience to innovate and reduce technical debt.

What makes Cosmic desktop different from other Linux desktop environments?

Cosmic desktop is built with Rust, making it faster and more responsive than traditional monolithic desktops. It features a modular architecture, where each component (dock, panel, applets) runs as a separate process, ensuring better stability and smoother user experience. It also offers a hybrid window mode that allows users to switch between tiling and floating window management easily.

What is Hybrid Graphics 2.0 in Pop OS 24.04?

Hybrid Graphics 2.0 allows seamless switching between integrated and dedicated GPUs on supported systems, improving performance and power efficiency. This feature automatically switches to the more powerful dedicated GPU when demanding tasks (e.g., gaming or rendering) are initiated, without requiring a reboot.

How does Pop OS 24.04 handle GPU switching for laptops?

Pop OS 24.04 uses Hybrid Graphics 2.0, which allows laptops to run on the integrated GPU for everyday tasks and automatically switch to the dedicated GPU for more demanding applications. Users can also manually select which GPU to use for specific applications with a simple right-click option.

What are the pros and cons of the new Cosmic desktop?

The pros of Cosmic include speed, responsiveness, and the flexibility of hybrid window management. However, it feels somewhat unfinished, missing features like blue light filtering (nightlight), HDR support, and proper theming for certain KDE apps. It also lacks animations, which some users might find off-putting.

How does the Super Key Launcher improve productivity in Pop OS 24.04?

The Super Key Launcher provides quick access to apps, windows, files, and system commands with just one keystroke. It supports advanced features like quick math and unit conversions, making it a powerful tool for users who need to stay productive without hunting through menus.

What are some of the major missing features in Cosmic desktop for Pop OS 24.04?

Some of the notable missing features in Cosmic are a built-in blue light filter (nightlight), HDR support for OLED displays, and full theming compatibility with KDE apps. These issues are being discussed for future releases but are absent in the current version.

What is the impact of Pop OS 24.04 removing X11 support?

By removing X11 support, Pop OS 24.04 relies entirely on Wayland (Veillant) for rendering. This provides a smoother and more modern experience, free from the legacy issues of X11, such as screen tearing and flickering. However, some older apps that rely on X11 may experience compatibility issues.

What is the significance of ARM64 support in Pop OS 24.04?

ARM64 support in Pop OS 24.04 is significant because it allows the operating system to run natively on ARM-based devices like the Raspberry Pi 5 and other ARM-powered systems. This future-proofs Pop OS, ensuring it stays relevant as the tech world increasingly shifts to ARM architecture, especially in mobile and embedded systems.