Ubuntu has long been synonymous with Linux. There is a good reason for this. Ubuntu is one of the easiest Linux distributions on the market, with incredible hardware detection and is based on Debian from the start.
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The latest version of Ubuntu will be released on April 17th. Its version is 25.04 and is a short-term release. The short-term releases don’t enjoy the long support period as their siblings. 25.04 is suitable for going until January 2026.
In most cases, short-term releases aren’t as exciting (or popular) as long-term releases, but 25.04 has some surprises with feathery sleeves.
Starts with the installer
The Ubuntu installer has received a bit of love for this release, with a refined dual boot process and improved handling of Windows Bitlocker-Incrypted Disk. An improved installer helps to solidify Ubuntu as one of the easiest operating systems to install.
Continue on the desktop
Many improvements include the latest iteration of the GNOME desktop environment. The Gnome 48 wasn’t a huge hit release, but there were plenty of performance improvements and some sharp additions, including a new Wellbeing section in the settings.
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The Happiness section is very similar to the Wellbeing app on Android in that it allows you to view screen times, set screen limits, and configure Break Reminders. This handy app is great for those who regularly forget to break themselves from staring at their computer screen (yours are really included).
The Happiness section of the setting helps to remind you to take these much-needed breaks.
Jack Warren/ZDNET
The Wellbeing feature can be accessed by opening Settings and then clicking Wellbeing in the left sidebar.
Other improvements include notification grouping, HDR support, and regular rounds of app updates.
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There is one major improvement that comes with Plucky Puff. Gnome’s new triple buffering feature improves animation smoothness and overall desktop performance by optimizing frame schedules and rendering methods. From what I’ve seen, this is the smoothest Ubuntu desktop I’ve experienced in a long time, so the feature works.
My experience with Plucky Puffin
I’m not going to lie. Sometimes I just boringly review a Linux distribution that is as predictable as Ubuntu.
That’s one of the best things my friends can say at around 25.04…it’s predictable.
What does that mean?
As soon as I logged in to Ubuntu 25.04 I found it to be stable, easy to use and designed. why? Because Ubuntu has been those things for a very long time and Canonical doesn’t ruin what works.
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To that end, you can guess what this experience will look like every time you install a new Ubuntu release. The desktop is the same as before (with a bit of polish) and everything works as expected.
I can’t remember Canonical last released a version of Ubuntu. With slow, stable, predictable, predictable climbs, we are now us and it is perfectly fine by me.
The confused, plump puffins stick to that tendency.
The biggest surprise I found on my desktop was the change to the official document viewer. Plucky Puffin was the first switch from Evince and the paper is a good step forward. It wasn’t that big, but it was a surprise.
At the very least, that’s fine
Ubuntu still has minimal applications. I think it’s better than logging in to an operating system with so many apps in the desktop menu (many of which I never use). Luckily, App Center can help you find what you need.
One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that the Ubuntu App Center has improved significantly from its previous state, and the iteration of Plucky Puffin makes it completely clear. With App Center you can find all the software you need to be entertained and productive.
Performance is par
Ubuntu was not the fastest operating system on the market. Place it somewhere in the midrange at the top. Plucky Puffin looks a little faster than its previous release. This is probably due to both Gnome 48 and Kernel 6.14. The installed kernel includes many improvements and better support for new hardware.
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Open the app with Plucky Puffin and it opens immediately. The outlier is Firefox, but we all know that apps are a little slower than many browsers for a while. That being said, even Firefox opens faster than 24.04 at 25.04.
Should I use plucky fins?
This is a trillion dollar question. First, I say that I don’t want to rely on beta software, so I’ll have to wait until the official release is available. Secondly, if you prefer a long-term solution, it is best to stick to 24.04 until 26.04 is available. That doesn’t mean that short-term releases are not feasible, especially on desktops.
If the intended use of Ubuntu Plucky Puffin was for a server, I think I’ll skip it and wait for the LTS version. If desktop is everything, go ahead and jump. After all, you can upgrade from a short-term release to a long-term release with the help of the Do-Release-Upgrade command. I jumped from short-term releases to long-term releases without any issues, so I don’t hesitate to make suggestions.
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However, if stability and continuity are your biggest concern, refrain from doing so until the next LTS is available.
Plucky Puffin is another standout release from Canonical. It just has the right amount of novelty, but as usual it’s familiar. With the addition of well-being features, improved incremental performance and continuous improvements to GNOME, this brings standard success.
Is 25.04 a game changer? no.
Is 25.04 a positive step for ubuntu? yes.
Should I try 25.04? of course.
You can download it Daily Builds of Difficult Plump Swallowsor you can wait until the official release is available (April 17th). Be sure to check out Official Release Notes Same thing.
