Ubuntu 21.04 Beta Released For This Linux 5.11 Powered Update With Wayland By Default

The beta of Ubuntu as well as its various flavors/derivatives is out ahead of the official "Hirsute Hippo" launch later this month.

Ubuntu 21.04 is to be powered by the Linux 5.11 stable kernel, is sticking to the GNOME 3.38 desktop as its default environment, Mesa 21.0 is in place providing the newest open-source graphics drivers, GCC 10 is the default code compiler, LTO is being enabled, standalone XWayland is available, better Wayland support to the point that Wayland is now enabled by default for Ubuntu with its default desktop, and a slew of other updated packages like LibreOffice 7.1 and much more.

The Ubuntu 21.04 Beta is out for the desktop/server/cloud products along with the 21.04 betas for Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, UbuntuKylin, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Studio, and Xubuntu.

Download links and more via the official release announcement.

Ubuntu 21.04 should be officially released on 22 April while the release candidate is set for 15 April and the kernel freeze for next week.

Ubuntu 21.04 benchmarks are forthcoming on Phoronix.