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Ubuntu 25.04 looks great

Overview
Ubuntu 25.04, codenamed Plucky Puffin, was officially released on April 17, 2025. As an interim release supported for nine months, it brings notable updates across the Linux kernel, desktop stack, and development toolchain. While not a long-term support (LTS) version, it’s a significant step forward for developers, desktop users, and early adopters of bleeding-edge Linux features.
This post provides a technical overview of the key changes in 25.04, covering performance improvements, desktop enhancements, development updates, and known caveats.
System Stack Overview
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Kernel: 6.14
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Desktop Environment: GNOME 48 (Wayland by default)
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System Manager: systemd 257.4
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Toolchain: GCC 14, LLVM 20, Rust 1.84, Python 3.13, Go 1.24
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Mesa: 25.0.x (for updated graphics stack and Vulkan support)
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Init System: Default uses
initramfs
;dracut
also supported
Kernel and Performance Enhancements
Ubuntu 25.04 ships with Linux kernel 6.14, which includes:
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Support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth Low Energy Audio
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Performance improvements to the BFQ I/O scheduler
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Initial Rust in the kernel support for limited modules
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Enhanced Wine/Proton compatibility through the inclusion of the
ntsync
driver -
Improved support for power management on newer AMD and Intel laptops
Additionally, binaries are now compiled with -O3
optimizations (instead of -O2
), resulting in marginally better performance in compute-heavy workloads and desktop responsiveness.
Desktop Environment: GNOME 48
GNOME 48 introduces a refined desktop experience with:
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Improved gesture support (multi-touch navigation)
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Grouped notifications and better Do Not Disturb controls
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Smoother animations via triple-buffered rendering in Wayland
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Optional HDR support for Wayland sessions (requires compatible hardware and monitor)
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New “Digital Well-Being” features (usage stats, screen time reminders)
This release continues Ubuntu’s commitment to Wayland as the default session, with better support for fractional scaling, hybrid graphics, and color management.
Packaging and Application Updates
New Default Applications:
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Papers (replaces Evince): A modern GTK4-based PDF reader written in Rust.
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Ubuntu Software: Revamped interface with better Snap, Deb, and Flatpak integration.
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JPEG-XL image format is now supported natively via the updated GNOME image viewer.
Snap and Flatpak:
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Snap startup latency improvements across key applications (e.g., Chromium, Firefox).
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Flathub integration is now user-configurable during install or from the App Center.
Developer-Focused Updates
The updated toolchain includes:
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GCC 14.2 – C23 support and improved diagnostics
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LLVM 20 – Better codegen and Clang static analysis tools
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Rust 1.84 – Enhanced LTO support, new syntax diagnostics
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Python 3.13 – Improved interpreter performance and type hinting features
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Go 1.24 – Better memory profiling and generics enhancements
Podman, Docker, and LXD are all available with improved AppArmor confinement and systemd integration.
Installer Improvements
Ubuntu 25.04 continues using the Flutter-based installer, which brings:
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Better BitLocker and dual-boot detection (especially for Windows 11 setups)
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Native LUKS encryption UI, with TPM-bound unlock support
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Option to install proprietary drivers and restricted firmware at install time
Security and Networking Enhancements
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AppArmor and Seccomp profiles updated for modern container runtimes
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Netplan 1.1.2 adds WPA-PSK-SHA256 support and improved wait-for-DNS logic
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Chrony is now the default NTP client, offering more secure and accurate time sync
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Hardened systemd sandboxing (via systemd 257.4), including tighter control over capabilities
Gaming and Graphics
This release is a win for Linux gamers:
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NVIDIA Dynamic Boost support included for hybrid GPU setups
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Wine and Proton compatibility improved via new kernel modules
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Latest Mesa and Vulkan support ensure solid performance for DXVK, OpenGL, and native Linux titles
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Triple-buffered Wayland rendering smooths out frame pacing in supported applications
Known Issues and Early Feedback
Community feedback on platforms like Reddit and Tom’s Hardware indicates:
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Smooth performance on modern laptops and desktops
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Some docking station and external display issues with hybrid GPUs (not uncommon for new GNOME/Wayland releases)
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Occasional regressions for NVIDIA users depending on driver version (users recommended to check compatibility before upgrading)
Upgrade Path
To upgrade from Ubuntu 24.10 or 23.10:
For those upgrading early or from beta builds, the -d
flag may be required.
Final Thoughts
Ubuntu 25.04 is a technically mature, developer-friendly release that brings modern kernel improvements, a cleaner and more responsive GNOME desktop, and better security defaults. While it’s not an LTS release, it’s an excellent choice for developers, testers, and anyone wanting the latest Linux experience.
If you’re running Ubuntu on modern hardware or testing development environments, Plucky Puffin is well worth exploring.
Have questions about transitioning your stack to Ubuntu 25.04? Need help with rootless containers, Podman, or GNOME optimization? Drop a comment or reach out—we’re happy to dive deeper.