Tuxedo Computers, a trailblazer since 2004, made waves when it began rolling out devices with its Ubuntu-based Tuxedo OS towards the end of September 2022. This unique operating system distinguishes itself from Ubuntu by forgoing Canonical’s Snap package manager in favor of its own software repositories maintained on servers situated in Germany. Notably, Tuxedo OS ensures user privacy by refraining from sending any data back to Canonical or Tuxedo itself.
The latest update to this German distro, version 20250115, has landed, boasting several significant enhancements. Topping the list is the upgrade to KDE Plasma 6.2.5, a stability-focused release that arrived at the close of 2024. This update doesn’t stop there; it brings a host of additional improvements that are sure to excite tech enthusiasts.
After years of being tied to Vim version 8.2, Tuxedo OS now supports the newly updated Vim 9.1. Users will also appreciate the upgraded amdgpu package, which has been elevated to version 23.0.0 from 22.0.0 over the last three releases. Browsing is more seamless with Firefox 134.0.1, which replaces the earlier version 131.0.
Various other components have received updates as well, including QT 6.8.1, LibreOffice 24.8.3, GRUB 2.12, and Thunderbird 128.6.0, among others. This release sees modern versions of essential packages such as bash, alsa-lib, e2fsprogs, glibc, gtk, and kmod.
Tuxedo OS stands out with its commitment to open-source values by offering the modified or custom-built drivers and software packages freely available, inviting developers to explore and contribute. While the operating system is designed to be pre-installed on Tuxedo hardware and can be set up through the company’s WebFAI automatic installer, it is also accessible for download in ISO format for those who wish to try it on their systems.
For those new to Ubuntu-based operating systems or looking to expand their Linux knowledge, Josef Moser’s “Ubuntu 24.04: Quick Guide for Beginners” is a valuable resource, priced affordably at $11.99 in paperback.
With these updates, Tuxedo OS continues to carve out a distinctive niche in the world of Linux distributions, offering robust performance, privacy-respectful practices, and an ever-growing list of features that position it as a compelling choice for both newcomers and seasoned Linux users alike.
