A Leap Forward in Performance, Usability, and Customization

Ubuntu has been one of the go-to distros for many developers and casual Linux users alike, and 24.10 continues to cement its place in that pantheon. Like every new release, Canonical brings cutting-edge features and advancements in performance from Ubuntu 24.10 as well. So, it comes with a handful of improvements related to usability, customization, security, or efficiency that make it the version of this operating system that is perhaps more than ever polished. Here are the many reasons why you should try Ubuntu 24.10: From a Ubuntu user’s perspective consider it as your new OS solution.

Read our review to see the best new features in Ubuntu 24.10 and why they matter

1. Improved GNOME 45 Desktop Environment

The upcoming Ubuntu release features GNOME 45 for a more modern look and performance gains. The GNOME desktop environment is a well-known feature of Ubuntu and every new release streamlines the user experience. The GNOME 45 has cleaned up the visuals so it brings smoother animations, better multi-monitor, and more.

• Refined Interface: The entire UI is cleaner and modern with new icons, and window styling that remains consistent throughout the system. Emphasis is placed on minimalistic views and eliminating distractions.
• Enhanced Performance: In that regard, GNOME 45 aims to improve system responsiveness, especially on lower hardware machines. Applications start up faster, and things just feel more fluid on the desktop, with less of a pause when switching between tasks.
• Multitasking Enhancements: Multitasking in GNOME With the Activities Overview you can quickly manage running apps and create new workspaces to stay organized. As for the new “App Grid,” it’s reportedly more customizable, allowing users to move their apps around with drag-and-drop action.

2. Enhanced ZFS Support

Ubuntu remains loyal to ZFS (Zettabyte File System), and 24.10 allows you to use it more efficiently. ZFS RAID – Introduced in prior releases of Ubuntu, functionality has now been improved upon by being more tightly integrated both in terms of better performance and ease of use. Being that this file-system offers characteristics such as small but scalable, reliability, and data protection it is popular among those working with a lot of data or running servers.

• Snapshots and Rollbacks: With this last release ZFS offers improved integration with Ubuntu’s automatic snapshot system, making it easier also to revert to a prior state. This is priceless, especially when a Windows update goes awry or you misconfigure your system.
• Improved Performance: For Ubuntu 24.10, ZFS has also been optimized for performance, with improved read and write speeds, making it useful to install on your personal computer as well as a storage solution used in enterprise environments.
• Simplified Setup: While it is now (finally) an install option, very basic capability-wise of course, ZFS is quite a bit easier to set up than before — so more accessible than if those new users had to fiddle with setting up an advanced file system.

3. Wayland by Default for NVIDIA Users

Perhaps the most significant change arriving in Ubuntu 24.10 is Wayland support will finally be enabled by default for people using an NVIDIA GPU. Compared to the aging X11 server, Wayland, the modern display server protocol, is said to offer much better performance and security (when implemented correctly), as well as smoother graphics rendering.

• Enhanced Graphics Performance: NVIDIA though less common, you should see smoother animations and a better refresh rate in demanding applications with fewer graphical artifacts. Wayland also provides better gaming and graphical application support.
• Reduced Input Lag: Wayland will decrease input lag, with a more responsive Ubuntu when users are interacting especially in graphic-intensive operations.
• Improved Security: One of the primary benefits of Wayland is a more secure security model. Wayland, on the other hand, prevents applications from interacting with each other’s display buffers – this move is a huge advance in preventing security vulnerabilities over X11.

4. Expanded Snap Package Capabilities

Ubuntu 24.10 is doubling down on Snap packages as a primary form of software distribution, picking up where the effort left off with Ubuntu 21.10. Called Snap packages, these self-contained applications are configured with all dependencies needed for configuration and allow for several benefits over traditional installation methods.

• Faster Snap Updates: The way snaps update has been improved to interrupt the user less when it runs in the background. As such, your applications will stay fresh without you doing any manual operations.
• Improved App Launch Times: Slow app startups plagued Snap packages. These have been mitigated to a large extent in Ubuntu 24.10 with notable performance improvements targeting the faster launching of apps for Snap applications.
• Enhanced Security Features: This restricts rogue applications from being able to access part of the system they should not. The security confinement in Snapchat apps is tighter.

5. Advanced Power Management Features

Since laptops are only as good as the battery life available, power efficiency is always something to work towards and Ubuntu 24.10 focuses on several key areas here. The good news is that the Linux kernel and GNOME desktop environment have simply improved in the handling of power management.

• Adaptive Battery Management: They noted that Ubuntu 24.10 will get more refined battery management features capable of tailoring performance to the user’s needs. The system will reserve more power for you if you are using a resource-hungry application. Conversely, the aforementioned machine can save its energy while using very little for a continued battery life.
• Improved Suspend and Hibernate: For starters suspend and hibernate work much better now – especially on newer hardware. Faster wake times and more stable CPU performance when resuming from sleep.
• Power Profiles: So now, users can switch easily to the other power profiles of performance, balance, and power saver based on their need if any. It provides the user with greater control over battery usage without heading toward intricate settings.

6. Kernel 6.4 Integration

This makes use of the Linux Kernel 6.4 improvements (more on those below) The newest kernel improves on prior hardware support and security features, along with general performance improvements.

• Improved Hardware Support: Support for the newest AMD, and Intel processors along with modern GPUs are also part of the 6.4 kernel. And as a result promises that Ubuntu 24.10 will have the best hardware support of any release yet, out of the box.
• Security Enhancements: Ubuntu 24.10 gets the latest in Spectre and Meltdown mitigation, thanks to kernel 6.4 lensing significant support for these vulnerabilities to ensure users remain secure. The list only begins with some of the generated warnings — kernel lockdown and improvements to memory protection also help to create a more secure environment.
• Performance Gains: Kernel 6.4 elevates the system performance on healthy notes everywhere like when multitasking while performing file operations and communicating over a network.

7. Refined Installer and Setup Process

In terms of user experience, you notice it most when it comes to the installation process. Meanwhile, Canonical said the Ubuntu installer has been simplified for easier use by first-time users to reduce setup time and make the process more intuitive.

• Guided Setup: New guided setup: The friendly sidekick helps beginners understand their options better.
• Partitioning Made Easy: Disk partitioning has been complicated for beginners through various steps but with Ubuntu 24.10, it comes with easier-to-understand instructions and a much better set of automatic partitioning suggestions.

8. Enhanced Flatpak Support

Ubuntu is historically focused on Snap packages, but it has also improved support for the Flatpak distribution method in recent releases. This is likely to make Ubuntu more flexible as now users can install software from Snap as well as Flatpak repositories.

• Broader Software Availability: Ubuntu 24.10 widens the net of applications users can now install, that won’t be available as a Snap due to its close integration with Flatpak.
• User Flexibility: Flatpak allows users to run applications in secure and isolated environments, which might come with certain benefits for those who crave more privacy on their systems, and now it is available for easy integration into Ubuntu.

9. Privacy and Security Enhancements

Back in our March issue when we looked at the Ubuntu 24.10 development release, privacy and security were among the biggest for what’s new or improved with this next half-year release of Ubuntu. Creating a more security-driven browsing experience and allowing users to take control of the data are some of the new protections that will hopefully give users more protection against modern threats.

• Improved Data Encryption: In addition to the above, a user can encrypt their entire file system within setup by selecting more robust data encryption options which are offered in the latest iteration.
• Secure Boot Enhancements: Secure Boot—Secure boot is a security standard developed by members of the PC industry to help make sure that your PC boots use only software that is trusted by the PC manufacturer.

Conclusion: A Well-Rounded Upgrade

Ubuntu 24.10 delivers a selection of performance optimizations and features to further streamline system workflow as well as improve versatility on the whole. This update has something for everyone, whether you want better battery life, multitasking, or security. I understand Canonical’s place in the menu-driven Linux world will keep your soldering iron warm (Ubuntu seems to be heading smoothly into a successful future as the most mainstream of distros embraced by both casual users and professionals alike).