Ubuntu LTS or Non-LTS?
Ubuntu LTS or Non-LTS?
The age of the packages doesn't determine their stability. Because these versions receive ongoing security updates and fixes over many years, they remain usable longer without major changes. In contrast, non-LTS releases require more frequent updates and could introduce new behaviors or issues.
I understand you're a new member here. It's important to share the needed details right away when asking a question. Many people waste time figuring out what information you need. When discussing operating systems, consider factors like:
- expected use
- hardware requirements
- your experience and willingness to learn
- future plans
- preferences (do you prefer Gnome DE?)
- monitor setup (resolution, size, multiple screens)
Old distributions often struggle with fractional scaling or different monitors. If you also like KDE, MX Linux is a modern alternative with fewer terminal tasks. Ubuntu was popular 20 years ago for being beginner-friendly, but today many distros match or exceed it in usability. You should explore Ubuntu further—it has had some questionable changes, especially with the kernel and snaps. This isn't a judgment, just helpful context before choosing an OS.
The reasons for choosing LTS aren't clear to me. For desktop environments, newer hardware often requires updated drivers and support, making non-LTS more suitable. User applications in Linux sometimes receive significant updates, like Btop and Sway. I personally stick with Arch and get the latest Neovim versions through it. Package issues are relatively rare on Ubuntu.
You're experiencing issues with KVM on Ubuntu 25.10 due to unknown PCI devices and GPU passthrough.
I haven't tested KVM GPU passthrough myself, but I could assist. It functioned on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS previously. Your hardware details are needed for a more accurate answer.
GPU passthrough functions correctly. The main issue is unknown PCI devices. This seems to be a bug in Ubuntu 25.10. I encountered the same problem with Xubuntu 25.10 Beta.
It was a bit surprising that you spoke there. I tend to think one is more dependable and lasts longer. I’m aware that non-LTS Linux releases don’t get much support and you’ll need to update frequently. If you’re aiming for a consistent experience, frequent upgrades might not be ideal. That’s why I usually rely on LTS versions, particularly for my Plex server.