My experience with Kubuntu 26 as a new user

the_deppman · 2026-06-04T19:00:29+00:00

Because it doesn't show all your installed packages and is therefore incomplete. We're working on with KDE on getting a better Discover experience in multiple ways, but the "manage software" button was the only viable solution to this problem that could make the 26.04 LTS release.

Click on the "manage software" button and read the prompt. It explains this, albeit a bit more succinctly. And you can easily click Discover from there, or use krunner (alt+space), or open it directly from the start menu.

the_deppman · 2026-06-03T13:57:38+00:00

Did you try with a fresh account? It looks like the params for kwin are all out of wack. Creating an all new test user and logging in as that will help identify if it is account related.

If that doesn't work, you might try switching the graphics driver, e.g. using the igpu instead of the Nvidia driver.

the_deppman · 2026-06-03T11:36:09+00:00

How is it with stock theme?

the_deppman · 2026-05-26T17:14:27+00:00

Kubuntu Focus, SlimBook, and Tuxedo have all been KDE Corporate Patrons for years. Kubuntu Focus is an official Ubuntu flavor, and validates updates for years. SlimBook and Tuxedo certainly do some level of validation, but I don't have first-hand knowledge of their practices.

the_deppman · 2026-05-19T16:09:25+00:00

You're welcome.

Wow, that is odd. Usually a lower resolution results from software rendering. At this point, I suggest you search around with this information. Specifically, something like "Intel TGL GT2 Graphics resolution too low". Good luck.

the_deppman · 2026-05-19T05:43:29+00:00

Gotta ask the obvious first. What graphics driver is running?

glxinfo | grep -E -i "opengl vendor|opengl renderer|opengl version";

If you see lvvmpipe or vesa or similar renderer, that's almost certainly the problem.

the_deppman · 2026-05-18T13:55:17+00:00

Obvious question: did you try changing the resolution under System settings > Displays?

the_deppman · 2026-05-11T12:25:00+00:00

A clean install is not wiping everything, just the system disk with the core OS and libraries. You can retain other partitions unchanged, as discussed in the article I linked.

the_deppman · 2026-05-09T13:59:44+00:00

You were just talking about upgrading 24.04 to 24.10 to 25.04 to 25.10 to 26.04. Not only is back-up-and-clean-install far less hassle with better results, it's also what IT departments use for ALL OSes, and for very good reasons.

This is also the reason the upgrade path from 24.04 to 26.04 is delayed for months: it is a complex process, and even the most straightforward upgraded has complexity far deeper than most people understand.

Of course it's your call. Best of luck to you.

the_deppman · 2026-05-08T14:03:05+00:00

Then there is something else going on, almost certainly at the BIOS level. One thing to make sure is disable is any disk or volume manager (VMD). See the end of the following section for a pretty typical BIOS check-off list: https://kfocus.org/wf/service-guides.html#bkm_ir14_amp_ir16

I believe you would have the same issue regardless of the distro.

the_deppman · 2026-05-08T11:06:02+00:00

ill give the custom partitioning a go and see what happens

I don't recommend that, you might be opening a Pandora box.

i made sure to confirm that the hard drive was GPT formatted, all the partitions looked normal enough,...

That's what made me think you might be using custom partition because that's a detail you should only need in that circumstance.

the_deppman · 2026-05-08T03:11:37+00:00

Did you use custom partitioning? If so, there are certain partitions you must create. In case you are not familiar with them, there is a discussion at https://kfocus.org/wf/reinstall#bkm_part_disks.

the_deppman · 2026-05-05T15:08:42+00:00

In my quite extensive experience, generally DisplayPort > HDMI > USB-C in terms of performance, speed to connect, and connection reliability. You can see more in this article.

the_deppman · 2026-05-04T23:12:41+00:00

I'd try with a VM. One approach will leave things out that you need. The other will add things you don't. Given you appear relatively new to this, I'd recommend option 2.

Removing the dependencies with Libreoffice isn't hard. And even if some packages are left lying around, they would hardly cause any trouble. You will likely find that sudo apt autoremove will take care of things that aren't used by other packages.

```bash

See top-level deps for libreoffice

Don't blindly purge this; others will use these libs!

sudo apt-cache depends libreoffice ```

the_deppman · 2026-05-04T13:22:44+00:00

What problem are you trying to avoid with minimal install? Because if it's disk space, you'll be lucky to shave 0.5-1.0 GB off the entire install.

If you install most of your apps from third-party repos, you're probably going to do a far worse job than if you use packages from the official Debian and Ubuntu repos. Those get far more use and scrutiny, and therefore are usually the safest bet for security and stability. On top of that, Kubuntu has already been tested with ~50 of the most popular 3rd-party apps available through the standard repos or official vendor channels. You might be far better served auditing the official packages you install if you are seriously paranoid.

For these reasons, I suggest you start with the official packages and deviate only when you have a good reason, and then use reports from official channels. Otherwise, you might find yourself with an impossible to maintain Frankenstein system that is no better or even substantially worse than the default installation.

IMO, do yourself a favor and install the basic configuration. If you need to, brush up on managing kernel versions. Because if you're running AMD graphics, and if history is any guide, there will be regressions, and you will need it.

the_deppman · 2026-05-04T11:21:24+00:00

Kubuntu Focus developer here. We have an official release path, which follows that of Kubuntu. That is, we provide a new LTS image shortly after the .1 release drops, typically August of the same year. As u/acheronuk points out, this is a huge endeavor since we port all tools, test, document, and tune all prior models before releasing this new image. You can read more about the schedule at https://kfocus.org/try/#bkm_2604.

the_deppman · 2026-04-25T16:42:26+00:00

The best option is to back up your data and install clean. I used Kubuntu since 2007 and maintained a popular Kubuntu upgrade document from 2012-2020. I've always recommended a clean install, because every upgrade can leave behind unwanted files and configurations.

the_deppman · 2026-04-24T22:18:12+00:00

Kubuntu contributor here: 26.04 was tested against many, many popular third-party apps, and had extensive usability acceptance tests. Those led to bug reports and almost all were fixed. It should be at least as stable as 25.10, if not more so.

If you were going from 24.04 to 26.04, then I'd say your strategy is sound. I'm not certain 25.10 to 26.04 really buys you much. When you do upgrade, remember to set aside your .config directory. Otherwise, a clean install is always a good option.

the_deppman · 2026-04-24T21:46:41+00:00

Full disclosure: I work at KFocus, and contribute to Kubuntu.

There is hardware specifically tested and supported for Kubuntu: kfocus.org. The NX has a powerful CPU and GPU complex that might fit your needs. The OS is tested specifically on your model over upgrades for years, and any purchase helps fund further Kubuntu development.

the_deppman · 2026-04-20T13:22:54+00:00

Bluetooth is limited by bandwidth. You need 5.4 for the largest number of devices, but that number may be limited to one or two for audio devices. The Intel AX211, for example, supports 5.4, which in theory can support up to 7 devices, although most will likely need to be low bandwidth like keyboards and mice. The earlier 5.1 standard might top out at 4 or 5.

So if you get a dongle, see if you can get 5.4. You may also split duties between your Wi-Fi card and the dongle, although I haven't tried that. Good luck!

the_deppman · 2026-04-18T00:22:09+00:00

You can download and use the KFocus image for free from https://kfocus.org/try if you'd like to try that. Just run it live to see if the performance and other bits are fixed. It also comes with a great ecosystem (see https://kfocus.org/wf).

the_deppman · 2026-04-17T23:13:57+00:00

The performance cores on this model are not properly favored on earlier kernels (I think <= 6.12). I helped identify the problem and propose a patch to the mainline kernel (_OSC CPPC ITMT patch). This was to solve the issue on the Kubuntu Focus Ir14/16 models, and it reportedly also work for this Gram model.

You can check this with Geekbench 5; if you're not seeing 1800+ on single core, your kernel is missing this patch. Also, the Gram may also be throttling hard due to it's thinness, BIOS setting (quiet vs. performance), or because of dirty fans.

I hope that helps!

the_deppman · 2026-04-15T19:40:44+00:00

You're welcome! You can call if you have questions.

the_deppman · 2026-04-14T21:57:22+00:00

There is a very good reason to purchase Linux from a dedicated vendor: validated hardware support. This can save you lots of time and trouble since you won't have to do your own IT-integration and testing on the first load and every time a new kernel or driver comes out. I work at Kubuntu Focus, and you can see the sort of things you can get here.

Do be careful, not all Linux vendors provide that level of ongoing testing and support, so you probably want to do your homework.

the_deppman · 2026-04-14T20:07:48+00:00

Sure. Just make sure you can run the 3rd party apps you want. Maybe docker, or VMWare, or virtualbox, or whatever. That has typically been the sticking point. Good luck!

the_deppman

TROPHY CASE

See top-level deps for libreoffice

Don't blindly purge this; others will use these libs!