Ubuntu 24.04 | New features, new look, new technology, but is it worth the upgrade?

Ubuntu has released their latest LTS version, Ubuntu 24.04 Noble Numbat, so I decided to take it for a spin and see what is new with this long awaited release. As with most of my testing, I will be installing this in a VirtualBox VM, allowing me to explore the new features before committing to the upgrade.

Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu) releases a new LTS (Long Term Support) version of the Ubuntu operating system every 2 years. LTS versions are designed to be stable and remain in production for a long time. They typically standardize on the latest LTS kernel release as well as applications. While this is great for those that prefer stability over bleeding edge, you will find that after an extended period of time, some software may lack the latest features. Thankfully, 2 years is not that long of a wait and in my opinion, the slight lack of latest and greatest is outweighed by stability and support.

New Installer

The first thing that I noticed after booting to the ISO was the new installer that Canonical has created for this release. It looks sleek and polished compared to the installer used for 22.04 LTS. It is more intuitive as well, offering the ability to customize the installation more than previous versions. Below you can see a comparison between 22.04 (Left) and 24.04 (Right).

While for me, the installer is not immensely important, it has historically been one of the biggest pain points for new users of Linux. The new installer in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is a drastic improvement over previous versions. New users can run through it with their eyes closed resulting in a fully functional OS with no friction.

For the more advanced/adventurous, the installer offers the ability to fully customize the system. Options for automated installation, minimal or extended software titles and more all wrapped in a slick new installer.

Improved login screen

When the system rebooted, the first thing that I noticed was the difference in the login screen. The user avatar and password prompt are considerably larger now. This is a nice change from the predecessor’s was considerably smaller, leaving an expansive void around the login prompt, particularly on high-resolution displays. The login options gear in the lower right has also been enlarged.

Shiny new Gnome!

A lot has changed in Gnome in 2 years. Ubuntu 24.04 is now running Gnome 46. The developers have refined the UI and made some pretty nice improvements. Some I like, others not so much. Starting with the workspace switcher.

You may have noticed in some of the installation screenshots a small ‘pill’ in the upper left corner. This is the new home of the workspace switcher. The number of pills will depend on the number of active workspaces. Clicking it brings up the switcher. This is a nice addition to hot corners and the super key, plus the fact that you can see how many active workspaces you have open at a glance. Also a nice touch is the Ubuntu logo for the ‘Show Apps’ button in the lower left instead of the old ‘grid’ design.

Also with Gnome 46, the notifications and controls along the top panel have received a makeover. Where in Ubuntu 22.04 (Gnome 42), you will find a shade with a list-style for all of your controls. In Ubuntu 24.04 (Gnome 46) it has been redesigned as ‘pills’, similar to what you may see on a smart phone.

To be honest, this is one of the ‘improvements’ that I am not a huge fan of. I prefer the functionality a list of items over the pill design. It is pleasing to the eye though.

Another big change is in the settings app. It has been consolidated in some areas, such as ‘About’ (Ubuntu 22.04) vs. ‘System’ (Ubuntu 24.04). Another example is the consolidation of background settings into Appearance settings. While some modules have been consolidated, there is a new module called ‘Ubuntu Desktop’ that allows you to further customize the behavior of Gnome, including new functionality, ‘Enhanced Tiling’.

There are plenty of other little tweaks and features in the setting app to explore. The point is, you now have more options to configure Gnome 46 and make Ubuntu 22.04 your own.

Worth mentioning

Ubuntu Software has been renamed to ‘App Center’ and modernized. It has some great improvements over past iterations and offers a sleek and modern look and feel. Compared to 22.04, it also feels more responsive and I have yet to find any broken icons or other deficiencies common in Software Center.

Nautilus (Gnome Files) has also been modernized and a few new features added to make browsing and managing file easier. Search functionality has also been improved with faster searches as a result of better indexing and changes to the default scope of searches (local/remote etc.)

Conclusion:

The verdict is in. Overall, the new look and feel is very nice and does not affect my workflow. The consolidation as well as expansion of the various modules in settings make a lot of sense as well. The Installer is a welcome change and Gnome 46 overall is much more aesthetically pleasing.

As is usual with an LTS release, the newer kernel and updated applications available from the Ubuntu repositories are a must. For anyone interested in staying closer to ‘bleeding edge’ functionality without sacrificing stability, this upgrade is a no-brainer. As a tech and Linux enthusiast, I will definitely be upgrading (well, migrating to a clean install).