What is Pop!_OS?
Pop!_OS is a Linux distribution created and maintained by System76, a company renowned for building premium Linux‑ready laptops, desktops and servers. It ships with a clean, optimised desktop experience and a curated set of tools that make it ideal for coding, data‑science and AI workloads. The OS is based on Ubuntu LTS releases, benefitting from the stability of the Ubuntu ecosystem while adding System76’s own enhancements.
Why Choose Pop!_OS as Your Daily Driver?
| Reason | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Optimised for Development | Pre‑installed toolchains, easy access to libraries and a terminal that integrates tightly with the COSMIC ecosystem. |
| AI‑Ready Stack | Ships with up‑to‑date GPU drivers and hybrid graphics support, helping you squeeze the most performance out of Nvidia/AMD cards for machine‑learning tasks. |
| Hardware Compatibility | Works flawlessly on both legacy machines and the latest System76 Thelio Astra, Thelio Astra‑2 and Thelio Astra‑3 rigs, as well as ARM‑based devices. |
| Smooth Multi‑Display Workflow | Intuitive tiling, workspaces and automatic scaling across hi‑DPI and standard monitors boost productivity. |
| Security‑First | Full‑disk encryption is offered out‑of‑the‑box, and the “Refresh” install lets you reinstall without losing data. |
These qualities make Pop!_OS a compelling choice for anyone who wants a reliable, secure and developer‑friendly environment every day.
What’s New in Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS?
Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS arrives with a host of fresh features that enhance both everyday use and heavy‑duty development:
Core System Improvements
- New COSMIC Desktop Environment written in Rust for memory safety and performance .
- Hybrid graphics support that automatically selects the appropriate GPU, extending battery life on laptops .
- Full‑disk encryption during installation, ensuring data is protected from the start .
- Refresh install feature – hold Space at boot (or select from the ISO) to reinstall while preserving files, settings and Flatpak apps.
- Broad hardware support, including ARM devices and the Thelio Astra desktop.
COSMIC Desktop Highlights
- Intuitive window tiling via mouse or keyboard, with per‑workspace and per‑display options.
- Feature‑rich workspaces – horizontal, vertical, pinned and persistent across reboots.
- Multi‑display optimisation – automatic scaling for mixed hi‑DPI and standard monitors.
- Customisation galore – theme pickers, panel/dock placement, and applet arrangements .
- Fast native apps such as COSMIC Files, Store, Terminal and Text Editor, all built in Rust for speed and safety .
These enhancements not only modernise the user experience but also provide the robustness required for AI research, containerised development and large‑scale coding projects.
Pop!_OS and Privacy – System76’s Stance
System76 has a clear privacy‑first philosophy. The company does not embed telemetry or data‑selling mechanisms in Pop!_OS. All system telemetry is optional, and the OS ships with a transparent privacy policy that outlines what data (if any) is collected and why. By choosing Pop!_OS you get a desktop that respects your data, and the open‑source nature means you can audit the code yourself.
Upgrading from Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS – A Success Checklist
If you’re still on 22.04 LTS, System76 will prompt you with an upgrade notification starting January 2026. To ensure a smooth transition, follow these steps:
- Back‑up your data – use
rsync,Deja‑Dupor your favourite cloud service. - Update your current system
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade- Run the upgrade command (as advised in the official blog)
pop-upgrade release upgrade -f- Reboot and allow the installer to complete.
- Verify that your custom settings, encrypted partitions and Flatpak apps are intact.
For users on non‑System76 hardware, the upgrade path works the same, but you may need to ensure you have the latest firmware (Tow‑Boot for Thelio Astra) and that your GPU drivers are up‑to‑date .
Bottom Line
Pop!_OS from System76 delivers a polished, secure and developer‑centric Linux experience that runs on both legacy and cutting‑edge machines. The 24.04 LTS release pushes the envelope with the Rust‑written COSMIC desktop, seamless hybrid graphics, full‑disk encryption and a handy Refresh install feature. Coupled with System76’s strong privacy stance, it’s a compelling daily driver for anyone serious about development, AI work, or just a smooth, customizable desktop.
Ready to try it? Grab the latest ISO from https://system76.com/pop/ and experience the future of Linux desktop computing today.