TECH

Fedora Linux 41 arrives with GNOME 47, KDE 6.2, the 6.11 kernel, and more

Just as expected, Fedora 41 is finally here. Across various editions, the list of changes includes highlights such as GNOME 47 and KDE Plasma 6.2, the Mir and Wayland-based Miracle desktop environment in the new Fedora Miracle, new options for image mode, Secure Boot support for systems that require the Nvidia proprietary driver, and more.

While its 20th anniversary is less than a week ahead, Fedora Linux is already celebrating with the release of version 41. In beta testing since mid-September, Fedora Linux 41 has been unleashed earlier today. In May 2020, Linus Torvalds mentioned Fedora as its favorite distro. Four years earlier, the Fedora user base consisted of around 1.2 million people. As before, there are plenty of setup options for multiple platforms, but there is a new alternate desktop option joining in as well, namely Miracle.

The common element in all Fedora Linux 41 releases is the 6.11 version of the Linux kernel, and several flavors come on top of GNOME 47. Unsurprisingly, the KDE Plasma Desktop edition comes with KDE 6.2, alongside a new spin with KDE Plasma Mobile.

The list of changes also includes the following:

Command-line package management tool DNF, which eliminates the need for microdnf for containers and systems with a limited amount of memory.

The default terminal on desktop editions is now Ptyxis.

Fedora Miracle, a flavor with a desktop environment built on Mir and Wayland, which features tiling window management and appealing visuals.

Image-based variants are now shipping with bootc, which is rpm-ostree's successor.

Systems that need the proprietary Nvidia driver receive Secure Boot support.

MIPI and Pipewire camera support in Firefox on new laptops with Intel IPU6 cameras.

Several zero-day bug fixes and security updates.

Returning to the Fedora Linux 41 editions available, there are three main branches to be mentioned. Flagship products (including Workstation and IoT) come in first, followed by Atomic Desktops (Kinoite and Silverblue included) and the alternative desktop options (KDE Plasma, Xfce, Miracle, and so on).

Since the changes from the previous version are not that drastic, Morgan Partdrige's Mastering Fedora Workstation 40: The Complete Guide to Installation, Setup, and Optimization for All Users remains a useful book. It can be acquired for $29.99 in Kindle format (free with Kindle Unlimited), while the paperback version goes for $39.99. Those who want the hardcover should shell out $10 more.

mundophone