Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS: COSMIC Rust Desktop with Wayland and Hybrid GPU

System76’s long-anticipated Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS has landed with a full rewrite of the desktop experience—COSMIC—built in Rust, first-class Wayland support, improved hybrid graphics, ARM builds, and a raft of workflow-focused features that reposition Pop!_OS from a polished Ubuntu spin into a distinct, opinionated desktop distribution.

Background / Overview​

Pop!_OS originated as System76’s custom Ubuntu-based distribution tailored for its own hardware, with years of careful tweak work around GNOME. With the 24.04 LTS release, System76 has delivered the culmination of a multi-year project: COSMIC, a new desktop environment written from scratch in Rust and designed for Wayland, paired with a modern base built on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and a recent Linux kernel. This release is being distributed both as downloadable ISOs for general use and as the default OS on new System76 hardware, with official ARM support for System76’s Thelio Astra and community tooling for additional ARM platforms.
The headline changes in Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS:

• COSMIC desktop environment as the default UI, built in Rust and optimized for Wayland.
• Hybrid graphics improvements that aim to run discrete GPU workloads automatically without mode switching.
• COSMIC-native applications (Files, Terminal, Text Editor, Media Player, Store) intended to be faster and more memory-safe.
• ARM support with official backing for select System76 hardware and community support options.
• Refresh install feature for reinstalling the OS while preserving user files, settings, and Flatpak apps.
• Auto-tiling, app stacking, and sticky windows for productivity-focused window management.

These changes are significant: System76 is moving Pop!_OS away from being merely “Ubuntu with tweaks” toward a vertically integrated OS + desktop vision. That strategy brings both opportunities and risks for users and the wider Linux desktop ecosystem.

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What’s new in Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS​

COSMIC: a Rust‑first desktop environment​

COSMIC is the centerpiece of the release. Built using Rust and a modern graphics toolkit, COSMIC replaces many GNOME components with lightweight, purpose-built apps and integrates a tile-first window management approach that can be used with mouse or keyboard. The new apps—COSMIC Files, COSMIC Terminal, COSMIC Text Editor, COSMIC Media Player, and the COSMIC Store—are designed to feel snappy and minimal while being memory-safe by virtue of Rust.
Key COSMIC traits:

• Wayland-first architecture (XWayland still available for legacy apps).
• Auto-tiling and app stacking, enabling single-key or drag-driven tiling layouts.
• Customizable workspaces and a focus on per-screen scaling and multi-monitor workflows.
• Native COSMIC apps intended to replace slower GNOME counterparts for a tighter experience.

Why Rust matters here: Rust’s memory-safety guarantees reduce entire classes of bugs (use-after-free, buffer overflows). For a desktop environment and associated apps that manage windows, rendering, and user input, that can meaningfully reduce instability and security surface area over time—provided the implementation and bindings are solid.

Graphics and battery: smarter hybrid GPU handling​

Pop!_OS 24.04 introduces a hybrid graphics model intended to make GPU switching seamless for users. Instead of manual mode changes that reboot or logout the session, the OS attempts to run applications on the appropriate GPU automatically. Users can still choose a preferred GPU for a specific app via a context menu.
Practical implications:

• Better battery life for laptops by defaulting to integrated graphics while invoking discrete GPUs only when needed.
• Simpler workflow for gamers and GPU-heavy creators since the system will try to honor app requests for the discrete GPU transparently.

Caveat: hybrid GPU support on Linux varies by hardware and driver stack; driver versions (Mesa, NVIDIA proprietary drivers) and kernel features are relevant. Users with specialist GPUs or older hardware may still encounter edge cases that require manual configuration.

ARM support and broader hardware compatibility​

Pop!_OS 24.04 expands to ARM64 with official support for System76’s Thelio Astra desktop. Community tooling and bootloaders enable broader ARM experimentation on non‑System76 hardware. This reduces the barrier to running Pop!_OS on Arm-based workstations and developer boxes, an increasingly important capability for ARM server and desktop adoption.

Usability and installer workflow: “Refresh” install and full-disk encryption​

System76 added a Refresh install option that lets users reinstall the OS while preserving home files, settings, and Flatpak apps—an elegant answer to many reinstall or repair scenarios. Full-disk encryption remains standard and is easier to set up during installation. These are pragmatic additions that reduce friction for users who need to repair or clean install without rebuilding application state.

App management and store improvements​

The COSMIC Store aims to centralize Flatpak/Flathub apps and provide curated “made for COSMIC” listings. The goal is faster app installations and a friendlier discovery experience for newcomers and users migrating from closed platforms.

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Strengths: what Pop!_OS gets vividly right​

• A focused, integrated desktop experience — COSMIC is opinionated and built to be cohesive. For users who prefer an out-of-the-box, productivity-oriented UI, that can be a major win over piecing together GNOME extensions.
• Modern stack and future-proofing — Wayland-first and a Rust codebase position Pop!_OS to leverage modern Linux graphics and security advances while avoiding legacy X11 complexities over time.
• Battery and GPU ergonomics — Hybrid graphics that avoid mode toggles reduce friction for laptop users needing longer battery life without sacrificing GPU acceleration for demanding apps.
• Practical installer tools — The Refresh install and full-disk encryption options are user-centric and reduce reinstall anxiety for a broad user base.
• Stronger ARM story — Official ARM support for a desktop workstation signals a commitment to diverse architectures and helps developers move beyond x86-only constraints.
• Performance-focused apps — Replacing heavier or slower default GNOME apps with nimble COSMIC equivalents should improve responsiveness on many systems.

These strengths make Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS particularly attractive to:

• Linux newcomers who value a curated, polished desktop
• Developers and creators who want predictable performance and GPU ergonomics
• System76 customers who want a tight hardware‑to‑software integration
• Users looking for an alternative to GNOME’s direction with a modern Wayland-native desktop

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Risks and caveats: what to watch for before switching​

• New desktop, new bugs — COSMIC is mature in development terms but remains new as a default desktop. Early adopters and reviewers have documented workflow-impacting bugs and regressions. Users who need a production-stable environment should test carefully before committing to it as a daily driver.
• Compatibility with legacy apps — COSMIC intentionally uses Wayland only (with XWayland compatibility). Some legacy applications and certain graphical toolchains still rely on X11 behaviors; these may show quirks under XWayland or require workarounds.
• Driver and kernel dependencies — Hybrid graphics and N‑way GPU behavior depend heavily on kernel versions, Mesa releases, and proprietary NVIDIA driver support. Systems with older drivers or unusual hardware combinations may require manual tweaks.
• Ecosystem adoption — COSMIC is new outside the Pop!_OS ecosystem. While the desktop and apps are open source, wider adoption by packagers and downstream distros takes time; expect gradual community uptake rather than instant, universal availability.
• Maintenance burden — System76 now owns the full desktop stack. That reduces reliance on GNOME but also means System76 carries responsibility for ongoing maintenance, bug fixes, accessibility features, and third-party app compatibility. The success of this model depends on sustained developer investment.
• User interface and workflow differences — COSMIC’s emphasis on tiling and app stacking is excellent for power users, but it will change muscle memory for those coming from Windows or GNOME. Migration friction is real for productivity workflows tightly coupled to specific UI behaviors.
• Performance regressions and missing features — Some early reports note slower animations, missing features, or rough edges in UI polish. These are expected to improve, but they matter for users who prioritize UI refinement now.

Flag for caution: claims about universal automatic GPU switching and flawless ARM behavior are optimistic and may not hold on every hardware configuration. Users with professional production workloads should validate GPU behavior and app compatibility on their exact hardware prior to migration.

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How this release compares to the wider Linux desktop landscape​

Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS represents a shift from “distro as curated Ubuntu spin” toward an integrated OS and desktop combination—similar in spirit to the strategies behind KDE Plasma’s distribution partners or Canonical’s own polished Ubuntu experience. However, the approach differs because System76 now develops and ships a whole desktop environment rather than customizing GNOME.
Differentiators versus other mainstream desktops:

• COSMIC is Rust-native and Wayland-first, while GNOME, KDE, and XFCE have longer legacy codebases and differing Wayland maturity levels.
• Pop!_OS aims for a productivity-first desktop with built-in tiling and GPU ergonomics; KDE and GNOME emphasize extensibility in different directions.
• System76’s vertical integration (OS + firmware + hardware) is more reminiscent of macOS-like control in a Linux ecosystem—this can accelerate polished experiences but concentrates dependency on a single vendor’s engineering priorities.

For the Linux community, a successful COSMIC rollout could spur innovation and fresh competition between desktop environments. If poorly managed, however, it risks fragmenting resources and duplicating effort across the ecosystem—an age-old tension in open source.

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Practical guidance: installation, testing, and migration​

1. Backup: Always create a full disk image and backup personal files before attempting a new OS install.
2. Try first: Use a Pop!_OS live USB to test hardware, display outputs, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and GPU behavior. Live sessions let you vet Wayland/XWayland compatibility.
3. Dual-boot or VM approach: Keep a fallback Windows or previous Linux install while you evaluate. Dual-boot preserves continuity while you adapt workflows.
4. Refresh install: If troubleshooting or reinstalling, the new Refresh option simplifies recovery without losing user settings and Flatpaks.
5. GPU validation: For GPU-heavy workflows, run representative workloads (games, rendering, or CUDA-like GPU tests) to validate hybrid graphics behavior.
6. Update strategy: Allow a short buffer for early updates—installing minor point releases (e.g., 24.04.1) may reduce early-showstopper bugs.
7. Community channels: Monitor official forums, bug trackers, and the distro’s issue pages for known problems and workarounds.

Step-by-step minimal path to a test install:

1. Download the appropriate Pop!_OS 24.04 ISO for x86_64 or ARM.
2. Create a bootable USB (Rufus on Windows; balenaEtcher or dd on Linux/macOS).
3. Boot live, test devices, and confirm GPU mode behavior.
4. If satisfied, install with full-disk encryption turned on, or choose a dual-boot partition strategy.
5. Post-install: run system updates, check additional drivers (NVIDIA, proprietary firmware), and install Flatpaks or snaps as needed.

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Who should adopt Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS now — and who should wait​

Adopt now if:

• You want a modern, opinionated desktop with built-in tiling and hybrid GPU ergonomics.
• You’re a System76 customer who wants the default experience tuned to their hardware.
• You’re a developer or enthusiast eager to test COSMIC and provide feedback.
• You run workloads where Wayland brings tangible benefits (security, fractional scaling on mixed DPI setups).

Wait if:

• You rely on mission-critical applications that cannot tolerate UI regressions or compatibility quirks.
• You depend on specialized peripherals with vendor drivers that haven’t been validated on Wayland/XWayland.
• You prefer a desktop with decades of incremental polish and the widest compatibility guarantees (for example, an enterprise GNOME deployment or a heavily customized KDE setup).

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Technical verification and open questions​

System-level verification shows Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS is shipping with a modern kernel, Wayland by default, a Rust-based COSMIC desktop, and explicit hybrid graphics improvements. Independent coverage confirms the core claims and the release date; community reports and early reviews document both positive performance impressions and growing issue lists in the early days after launch.
Unverifiable or variable claims to treat cautiously:

• Absolute universality of hybrid GPU switching across all laptops and GPUs—hardware and driver variability make universal guarantees unrealistic.
• The claim that COSMIC will immediately replace GNOME for all use cases—COSMIC is promising but still new; migration timelines and community uptake will be gradual.
• Any fixed statement about hardware pricing or the quality of specific System76 models—these vary by SKU and configuration.

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Final assessment: a bold, pragmatic gamble that matters​

Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS is a bold release that signals System76’s intent to move beyond customization into full desktop stewardship. For the Linux desktop ecosystem, a successful COSMIC could mean a modern alternative built around memory safety and Wayland-first principles—something that excites developers and power users alike.
At the same time, the release is a pragmatic gamble: it trades the safety of long-established stacks for the potential of a modern, cohesive experience. Early adopters will find much to love—smoother performance, focused workflow features like auto-tiling and app stacking, easier hybrid GPU handling, and the convenience of the Refresh installer. Production users and those with specialized hardware should proceed deliberately: test first, keep backups, and allow a short runway for early fixes.
Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS is not merely another incremental distro update; it is System76’s strategic move to define a desktop experience on its own terms. That makes this release one of the most consequential Linux desktop launches in recent years—an opportunity for users to try something new and for the wider open-source world to observe how tight integration, modern tooling, and user-centric ergonomics play together at scale.

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Source: HotHardware System76 Launches Pop!_OS Linux Distro To Much Fanfare, Check It Out