Pop!_OS

Overview

Pop!_OS, stylized as Pop!_OS, is a free, open-source Linux distribution developed by System76, an American manufacturer of Linux-based computers, founded in Denver, Colorado. Launched on October 27, 2017, it is based on Ubuntu’s Long-Term Support (LTS) releases, featuring a customized GNOME desktop environment called COSMIC (Computer Operating System Main Interface Components). Designed for developers, gamers, and professionals, Pop!_OS emphasizes performance, privacy, and user-friendliness, with out-of-the-box support for AMD and NVIDIA GPUs, full-disk encryption, and a rolling-release update model for bug fixes. Available for x86-64 and ARM (Raspberry Pi 4). The latest version, Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS, was released on April 25, 2022, with updates through May 2025.

History and Development

Pop!_OS emerged to meet System76’s vision for a desktop-first Linux experience:

• October 27, 2017: First release, Pop!_OS 17.10, based on Ubuntu 17.10, introduced after Ubuntu shifted from Unity to GNOME, prompting System76 to create a tailored GNOME experience with the Pop!_Shop (forked from elementary OS’s AppCenter).
• 2018: Pop!_OS 18.04 LTS (April 30, 2018, Ubuntu 18.04) added power profiles, NVIDIA Optimus support, and HiDPI compatibility.
• 2020: Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS (April 30, 2020, Ubuntu 20.04) introduced Pop Shell with auto-tiling, Flatpak support via Flathub, and system tray applet support.
• 2021: Pop!_OS 21.04 (June 29, 2021) debuted COSMIC, enhancing workspaces and app views, with a dock by default. System76 announced plans for a Rust-based COSMIC desktop independent of GNOME.
• April 25, 2022: Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS (Ubuntu 22.04) refined COSMIC, added Vulkan drivers, and adopted a two-year LTS cycle, with rolling updates for fixes.
• 2023–2025: System76 continues developing the Rust-based COSMIC desktop (e.g., cosmic-panel, cosmic-comp), with repositories on GitHub showing active commits through May 6, 2025. No release date for the new COSMIC has been confirmed.

Funded by System76 and optional subscriptions ($1/month), Pop!_OS maintains a small but dedicated team, with source code under GPLv3 and MPL-2.0 on GitHub.

Main Features

1. COSMIC Desktop: A customized GNOME Shell (until the Rust-based COSMIC arrives), with auto-tiling, stackable windows, a dock, and keyboard-driven workflows (e.g., Super + / for app launcher).
2. Package Management: Uses APT (Debian-based) and Flatpak (Flathub enabled by default since 20.04), with Pop!_Shop as the GUI store. Snaps are not supported, prioritizing lighter Flatpaks.
3. GPU Support: Separate ISOs for Intel/AMD and NVIDIA (GTX 16xx to RTX 5xxx), with proprietary NVIDIA drivers and Vulkan pre-installed for gaming and CUDA/TensorFlow workloads.
4. Installer: A custom installer (built with elementary OS) offers Clean Install, Custom (GParted for dual-booting), and Demo Mode, with optional full-disk encryption.
5. Privacy and Security: No telemetry by default (unlike Ubuntu), full-disk encryption, and firmware updates via Settings for System76 hardware.
6. Power Management: GUI toggle for hybrid, discrete, compute, or iGPU modes on dual-GPU laptops, optimizing battery or performance.
7. Recovery Partition: Allows system refresh while preserving user files, if set up during installation.
8. Minimal Requirements: 4GB RAM (8GB recommended), 16GB storage, 64-bit processor (x86 or ARM). Secure Boot must be disabled.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• User-Friendly: COSMIC’s auto-tiling, app launcher, and intuitive installer make it accessible for beginners, rivaling Linux Mint’s ease.
• Gaming and GPU Support: Out-of-the-box NVIDIA drivers and Vulkan support make it ideal for gaming (e.g., Steam, Lutris) and GPU-intensive tasks (CUDA, TensorFlow).
• Performance: Newer kernels (e.g., 5.13 in 20.04 LTS vs. Ubuntu’s 5.11) and systemd-boot (faster than GRUB) enhance speed, especially on System76 hardware like Thelio desktops.
• Privacy: No default data collection, unlike Ubuntu, appealing to privacy-conscious users.
• Workflow Efficiency: Auto-tiling and keyboard shortcuts (e.g., Super + Ctrl + ↑/↓ for workspaces) boost productivity, praised by developers.
• Community Feedback: X posts highlight stability and usability, with users like @aochoa2ww calling it “the most stable Linux system” on System76 Lemur Pro.

Limitations

• Limited Desktop Choice: Only COSMIC (GNOME-based) is offered, unlike Manjaro’s multiple desktops (Xfce, KDE). Users wanting KDE or LXDE must install manually.
• Small Team: Maintained by System76, not community-driven, potentially slowing bug fixes compared to Debian’s large team.
• Aesthetic Inconsistency: Mixed artwork (sci-fi cartoons, motivational wallpapers) may confuse its professional branding, as noted in Linux Magazine.
• Gaming Compatibility: Some games (e.g., Fortnite) face issues due to Easy AntiCheat’s limited Linux support, a dealbreaker for some users.
• NVIDIA ISO Dependency: Users upgrading hardware (e.g., adding NVIDIA GPUs) may need to reinstall the NVIDIA ISO, complicating updates.
• COSMIC Transition: The upcoming Rust-based COSMIC desktop lacks a release timeline, creating uncertainty.

Summary

Pop!OS, launched in 2017 by System76, is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution optimized for developers, gamers, and professionals, featuring the COSMIC desktop, robust GPU support, and privacy-first design. Its auto-tiling, Flatpak integration, and rolling updates distinguish it from Ubuntu, while its performance on System76 hardware like the Lemur Pro earns praise. Despite a single desktop option and a small team, Pop!OS excels in usability and gaming, making it a strong FOSS choice. Download Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS to experience its polished workflow.