Exploring Linux Mint 21.3: A Solid Wayland Experience!

• Linux Mint 21.3, based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, has been released.

  • The next release will be based on Ubuntu 24.4.

  • It still uses the old Ubuntu LTS base, packages, and kernel version 5.15.

  • MESA drivers version 23 is included, but not the latest Nvidia drivers.

  • The newer ISO plan, called the Edge ISO, has a newer Linux kernel for running on newer hardware.

• Cinnamon 6 is the latest update to the default desktop environment.
  • MATE and Xfce variants are also available, with app updates but no desktop environment updates.
• Introduction to the new experimental Wayland session for Cinnamon:

  • Can be selected from the login screen.

  • Tested on a laptop with both Intel XE integrated GPU and dedicated Nvidia GPU.

  • Display resolution, windows, performance, and multimonitor support work mostly as expected.

  • Missing features, issues with OBS, screen sharing, and screen recorders.

  • Lack of graphical password prompt for package installation or system updates.

  • Inconsistencies in menu placement and some applications behaving erratically.

  • Some features, like changing keyboard layout or gestures, are not available in the Wayland session.

• Other changes and updates in Linux Mint 21.3:

  • Hypnotics (TV-watching app) now allows setting channels as favorites and creating custom TV channels.

  • Cinnamon lets you download actions (add-ons for the file manager) that appear in the right-click context menu.

  • Warpinator (file sharing app) allows connecting to a device manually and supports drag and drop in the file manager.

  • Small changes to the desktop, including 75% fractional scaling on X11, key binds for window opacity, and disabling stylus buttons.

• Instructions for upgrading to Linux Mint 21.3:

  • Launch the update manager.

  • Click the refresh button for an update to the update manager itself.

  • Click on the edit menu and select “Upgrade to Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia”.