KDE neon

Overview

KDE Neon is a Linux distribution launched in June 2016 by the KDE community, based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. It delivers the latest KDE Plasma 6, Qt 6, and KDE applications, offering a pure KDE experience for enthusiasts and developers.

History and Development

• Founded: June 2016 by Jonathan Riddell.
• Key Milestones:
  • 2016: Launched on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.
  • 2017: Switched to Calamares installer.
  • 2020: Rebased to Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.
  • 2024: Rebased to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Plasma 6, Wayland default.
  • 2025: Plasma 6.2, KDE Slimbook VI.
• Status: KDE-driven, pre-installed on KDE Slimbook laptops.

Major Features

1. Plasma 6 Desktop: Customizable, Wayland/X11 support.
2. KDE Applications: Dolphin, Konsole, Kate, updated continuously.
3. Ubuntu LTS Base: Stable, 5-year support.
4. Editions: User (stable), Testing (beta), Unstable (nightly), Developer.
5. Updates: PackageKit for KDE packages, no APT conflicts.
6. Hardware: Ubuntu compatibility, KDE Slimbook support.
7. Developer Tools: Qt Creator, KDevelop for KDE/Django.
8. Privacy/Security: Open-source, minimal telemetry.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Latest KDE software.
• Stable Ubuntu base.
• Pure KDE experience.
• Highly customizable.
• Free, open-source.
• KDE Slimbook integration.
• Strong community.

Limitations

• Not a full distribution.
• Manual Ubuntu base upgrades.
• Bleeding-edge stability risks.
• Learning curve for beginners.
• Limited non-KDE software.
• Not for production.

Summary

KDE Neon combines Ubuntu 24.04 LTS stability with bleeding-edge KDE Plasma 6 and applications, ideal for KDE enthusiasts. Its customizable desktop and developer tools support development, but manual upgrades and potential instability limit production use. It offers a modern, privacy-aligned platform, complementing green-themed UIs.