Eager to get your hands on the next Linux Mint release? You can, as a beta build is now available to download.
Linux Mint 21.3 beta isn’t production ready so in theory you shouldn’t be installing this as your main OS. However, chances are some of you will do that and, as this beta is based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, a mature code base, and the stable Linux Mint 21.3 release is due in a few weeks…
This is the 3rd major update in the Linux Mint 21.x series, following on from the Linux Mint 21.2 release back in the summer.
As updates go, this is an interesting one. It includes a couple of headline-grabbing new enablements, including experimental Wayland support in Cinnamon, as well as smaller, thoughtful touches that buff an already-excellent desktop Linux experience.
Below is an overview of the new features in Cinnamon 6.0, which is the default desktop of Linux Mint 21.3 (MATE and Xfce versions are available to download too but do not include these changes):
- New Cinnamon Spices: ‘Actions’ for Nemo file manager context menu
- Experimental Wayland support in Cinnamon 6.0 desktop
- Option for 75% scaling re-added
- Stylus buttons can be disabled
- Ability to choose which monitor is used for notifications
- New desktop zoom action gesture
- Sound applet supports shift-middle click action
- New wallpapers
Elsewhere:
- Hypnotix now supports custom channels, favouriting, yt-dlp update
- Warpinator lets you connect to a device manually (IP or QR code)
- Sticky now supports dbus commands
- Bulky now shows thumbnails, supports drag and drop
- Pix auto-rotates videos (where needed)
- Mint Backup now features uses a header bar
- Colour picker has been added to Xapp XDG Desktop Portal
- Slick Greeter login box position now configurable
An bunch of lower-level bug fixes, stability improvements, and performance tweaks (naturally) ship as part of this update too, but those aside, the list above represents the key new features in Linux Mint 21.3 (i.e. the ones you’re more likely to notice, enjoy, or benefit from).
Download Linux Mint 21.3 Beta
To download Linux Mint 21.3 visit this blog post and choose from the list of mirrors. Alternatively, if you’re setup to use them, there’s an official torrent provided.
Linux Mint 21.3 is based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and uses the Linux 5.15 kernel. It’s supported until 2027.
This beta release is intended for testing, but if you do install it you can “upgrade” to the final, stable version of Linux Mint 21.3 by installing updates as they come between now and then.
Similarly, once the final release arrives users of Linux Mint 21.1 and 21.2 will be able upgrade to Linux Mint 21.3.