Ubuntu's VP of Engineering says WSL usage on Windows 11 is growing faster than native Ubuntu installs, and could overtake them within months.

After the clickbait-y headline that’s just Canonical sinking into mediocrity once again, there’s this:

Ubuntu is preparing for the AI PC, not just Linux desktops

Seager also described a push toward proper GPU, NPU, and DPU support, hardware partnerships with NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel, and CPU architecture optimization that makes Ubuntu run faster on newer chips without dropping support for older ones.

Ubuntu is also betting on local-first AI, building “inference snaps” that pick the right model and quantization automatically, along with early exploration into agentic workflows at the OS level. Ubuntu 26.04 LTS already ships with native support for both NVIDIA CUDA and AMD ROCm.

  • the_weez@midwest.social
    6·
    5 hours ago

    I actually believe that. Seems like most Linux users are pretty anti Canonical and it’s also the default distro for WSL2. I still like it for server use for enterprise support and whatnot, but I also don’t really love the desktop experience they are currently shipping and don’t use it on any gui machines currently. I’m not in love with snaps, if they opened up the store early on I might have been a believer but at this point it just feels like a land grab.

    • cubism_pitta@lemmy.world
      21·
      4 hours ago

      Canonical has always had a bit of a not invented here syndrome. (Unity and Mir come to mind)

      I have always recommended Ubuntu to newcomers. Mainly because its where I started (Free CDs and dial up in 2005!) and its always just mostly worked for me out of the box.

      I use Ubuntu for most things but I mostly run MacOS for my desktop experience.

        • The_Decryptor@aussie.zoneEnglish
          2·
          3 hours ago

          iiuc it supported a nicer workflow than git did, but that’s not out of the ordinary as so does Darcs, Pijul, Jujutsu, Mercurial, etc. git is just “good enough” for people to put up with the rough edges, rather than learn a new tool that never has them to begin with.

          It just never had the dev mindshare to catch on, it’s been a GNU project for over 18 years at this point and that hasn’t helped.

        • Eldritch@piefed.worldEnglish
          3·
          3 hours ago

          The only bazaar I’m familiar with is this one. Which is an awesome interface to flat hub. But I can get behind the general sentiment that Canonical ruins everything related to canonical.