Lubuntu For Linux

Lubuntu is the most lightweight variant of the Ubuntu family, but that doesn't mean that it gets "the short end of the stick" when it comes to updates and improvements.

Lubuntu 23.04 Lunar Lobster is the 24th release of Lubuntu and features various new features, some performance improvements, and a lot of bug fixes. 23.04 is an interim release, meaning it will be supported for only nine months, until January 2024.

LXQt is at the heart of Lubuntu, and it's what makes Lubuntu, well, Lubuntu. Lubuntu 23.04 ships with LXQt 1.2.0 which means, if you're coming from the earlier version (22.10), you're bound to notice a lot of (good) changes. Even though LXQt 1.3.0 was available before the official release of version 23.04 of Lubuntu, it didn't make it into the final ISO (no matter, it will be included in the upcoming 23.10).

Some of the most noteworthy changes include the fact that PCManFM-Qt now offers rubberband selection in the detailed list mode, the file manager now has a new search setting, the LXQt Panel now includes a "Refresh" button, QTerminal now supports bi-directional text rendering, and various yet welcome changes done to the LXQt power manager.

Since Ubuntu 23.04 does not feature Flatpak support by default, it also means that Lubuntu 23.04 follows its footsteps (however, snap is pretty much present).

Lubuntu 23.04 also gets a new version of the Calamares installer (3.3 Alpha 2) which works really well, PipeWire is now the default audio server (which offers better support for Bluetooth connectivity, as well as some more powerful features wwhen it comes to complex audio work).

There's also a new screensaver, and various new wallpapers.

Lubuntu 23.04 comes with Qt version 5.15.8, Firefox version 111 (snap package), LibreOffice version 7.5, VLC version 3.0.18, Featherpad 1.3.5, Discover Software Center version 5.27.3, as well as Vim 9.0 and QTerminal 1.2.0.

Just like its Ubuntu counterpart, this version of Lubuntu uses Linux Kernel 6.2 which comes with a plethora of improvements for GPU, CPU, ports, and Rust support. Other noteworthy toolchains that have been updated include GCC (13), GlibC (2.37), Ruby (3.1), golang (1.2), and LLVM (16).

Lubuntu 23.04 Lunar Lobster succeeds in providing the same reliable LXQt desktop environment just as before, all while moving the game a bit foward in terms of functionality.