Ubuntu 23.10 "Mantic Minotaur" is an interim release of the popular Linux distribution, released on October 12, 2023. It is the last interim release before Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, which will be a long-term support release.
Executive Summary
Ubuntu 23.10 includes a number of new features and improvements, including:
- New App Center: Ubuntu 23.10 replaces the Snap Store with a new App Center that supports both Snap and DEB packages. The App Center is written in Google's Flutter SDK and has a more modern and user-friendly interface.
- New Firmware Updater: Ubuntu 23.10 includes a new Firmware Updater tool that makes it easier to keep your system's firmware up to date. The Firmware Updater can automatically check for and install new firmware updates for your system's motherboard, BIOS, UEFI, and other devices.
- GNOME 45: Ubuntu 23.10 ships with the latest GNOME 45 desktop environment. GNOME 45 includes a number of new features and improvements, including a new Activities indicator, a more minimal install, and TPM-backed full disk encryption.
- Improved security: Ubuntu 23.10 includes a number of security improvements, including updated security patches, a new AppArmor / Stacking LSM patch set, and support for idmapped Ceph mounts.
- New hardware support: Ubuntu 23.10 adds support for new hardware, including the Raspberry Pi 5 and the SiFive HiFive Pro P550.
In addition to these new features and improvements, Ubuntu 23.10 also includes a number of bug fixes and performance improvements.
Overall, Ubuntu 23.10 "Mantic Minotaur" is a solid interim release with a number of new features and improvements. It is a good choice for users who want to try out the latest and greatest that Ubuntu has to offer.
Here are some additional details about some of the new features in Ubuntu 23.10:
Important changes in the Ubuntu 23.10 installer
Ubuntu 23.10 introduces two major changes to the installer:
First, the default installation is now much more minimal than in previous versions, including only the essentials such as a web browser and basic utilities.
Second, a new "Full" installation option is available, which includes a wider range of software, including office tools, utilities, games, and other applications that may be useful for users who are offline or have slow internet connections.
At the moment, the difference in size between the "Default" and "Full" installations is not significant, as the ISO file for Ubuntu 23.10 is only slightly smaller than the ISO file for Ubuntu 23.04. However, Ubuntu developers have stated that they have plans to further expand the provisioning and installation options in future releases, which could lead to a more significant difference in size between the two installation options.
Overall, the new "Default" installation option is a good way to reduce the amount of clutter in your app search and save some disk space, even if it doesn't save you a lot of time downloading the ISO file.
New App Center
The new App Center in Ubuntu 23.10 is a significant improvement over the previous Snap Store. It has a more modern and user-friendly interface, and it supports both Snap and DEB packages.
This means that users can now install all of their favorite apps from one place, regardless of whether they are Snap or DEB packages.
New Firmware Updater
The new Firmware Updater tool in Ubuntu 23.10 makes it much easier to keep your system's firmware up to date. In the past, users had to manually download and install firmware updates from the manufacturer's website.
With the new Firmware Updater, users can simply click a button to check for and install new firmware updates.
GNOME 45
GNOME 45 is a major update to the GNOME desktop environment. It includes a number of new features and improvements, including:
- New Activities indicator: The new Activities indicator replaces the old Activities button in the top-left corner of the screen. It provides a more streamlined and efficient way to switch between applications and desktops.
- More minimal install: The default installation of GNOME 45 is more minimal than previous versions. This means that fewer applications are installed by default, giving users more control over what is installed on their system.
- TPM-backed full disk encryption: GNOME 45 now supports TPM-backed full disk encryption. This means that users can encrypt their entire system using a trusted platform module (TPM) chip. This provides a more secure way to protect your data.
Improved security
Ubuntu 23.10 includes a number of security improvements, including:
- Updated security patches: All of the security patches that have been released since Ubuntu 22.04 are included in Ubuntu 23.10. This means that users can be confident that their system is protected against the latest security vulnerabilities.
- New AppArmor / Stacking LSM patch set: This new patch set improves the security of AppArmor, a security module that is used to confine applications.
- Support for idmapped Ceph mounts: This new support allows users to mount Ceph file systems in a way that preserves the user IDs and group IDs of the files. This can improve the security of applications that access Ceph file systems.
New hardware support
Ubuntu 23.10 adds support for new hardware, including:
- Raspberry Pi 5 and the SiFive HiFive Pro P550:
Ubuntu 23.10 adds support for the Raspberry Pi 5 and the SiFive HiFive Pro P550. The Raspberry Pi 5 is a single-board computer that is popular with hobbyists and makers. The SiFive HiFive Pro P550 is a development board that is based on the SiFive HiFive Unleashed SoC.
Other new features and improvements
In addition to the new features and improvements mentioned above, Ubuntu 23.10 also includes a number of other bug fixes and performance improvements.
It is a good choice for users who want to try out the latest and greatest that Ubuntu has to offer.
Conclusion
Ubuntu 23.10 is a solid release that offers a number of new features and improvements. The GNOME 45 desktop environment is a significant upgrade, and the new Flutter-based App Center is much faster and more responsive than the previous App Center. The more minimal default installation is also a welcome change, as it can improve performance and stability.
Who should upgrade to Ubuntu 23.10?
Ubuntu 23.10 is a good choice for users who are looking for the latest and greatest features and improvements. It is also a good choice for users who are using outdated hardware, as it includes support for new hardware.
However, users who are using Ubuntu 22.04 LTS should also be aware that Ubuntu 23.10 is an interim release. This means that it is not a long-term support release, and it will only be supported for 9 months. Users who need a stable and reliable system should consider staying on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS until Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is released.
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