Just I am preparing a laptop to install Ubuntu Desktop LTS. I upgraded my pendrive with Ventoy to install the 24.04 LTS ( as 24.04.3LTS) but I remembered as a spark in the mind the schedule of releases and I arrived to:
The stable LTS version will be released on April 23, 2026
Normally there is an upgrade path so if you did 24 today then when 26 comes out there will be the option to upgrade. Although in some cases it does not work as the changé is so major.
I personally would not do ubuntu as I prefer mint. Also I would not trail blazer into a new release prefer to wait a few weeks before I jump. Not yet seen whats going to be in the newer versions yet but no doubt we will see the new features showcased before the event.
There is no correct answer to your question its personal choice.
Normally there is an upgrade path so if you did 24 today then when 26 comes out there will be the option to upgrade. Although in some cases it does not work as the changé is so major.
Rarely I did do that kind of upgrade. I prefer do a fresh install.
I personally would not do ubuntu as I prefer mint
I am ok with this distro I’ve never had a problem in many machines … and according with my understanding mint is based on Ubuntu. Am I correct?
Also I would not trail blazer into a new release prefer to wait a few weeks before I jump.
Agree. Between a couple of weeks or a month is wise to let Ubuntu receive any kind of reports
There is no correct answer to your question its personal choice.
Well, in your own post and the link is the answer:
The stable LTS version will be released on April 23, 2026
Mint comes in several flavours, Cinnamon mate and xfce which have tge ubuntu origines which I have used in the past myself. But about 18 months back I took the step towards using LMDE which is based on debian although with a cinammon desktop. I tried it and prefered it for myself then bit by bit I have moved most of my clients in that direction.
I go for one standard as if there are questions I can answer quickly and easy as they all look and feel the same. Only exception is I have a couple of very old computer clients who cannot afford new machines and only have 2gb memory so they are on xfce as its lower I hardware demands. I also have 2 on 32 bit versions which lmde supported upto the latest version. Some time this year I will swap their boxes and upgrade them to 64 bit and the latest version of debian mint. They have the money I just need the time to do it.
Mint comes in several flavours, Cinnamon mate and xfce which have tge ubuntu origines which I have used in the past myself. But about 18 months back I took the step towards using LMDE which is based on debian although with a cinammon desktop. I tried it and prefered it for myself then bit by bit I have moved most of my clients in that direction.
THanks for that feedback, wow I learnt about the direct Debian branch (LMDE - Linux Mint Debian Edition). Could you expand the bold part?
I go for one standard as if there are questions I can answer quickly and easy as they all look and feel the same. Only exception is I have a couple of very old computer clients who cannot afford new machines and only have 2gb memory so they are on xfce as its lower I hardware demands. I also have 2 on 32 bit versions which lmde supported upto the latest version. Some time this year I will swap their boxes and upgrade them to 64 bit and the latest version of debian mint. They have the money I just need the time to do it.
I have the same situation for the bold part, I use Peppermint based on Debian 12 for 32 bits too, I hope they create its own support for 32 bits for Debian 13. It in January 2026
Bit by bit, is simply as each computer came in for service (dust removal, updates etc. I Talked the client into changing to the debian version. Basically for them the cinammon desk top did not change that much they thought it was just a newer versions. Unlike some I dont charge much for this service we are all happy with that idea.
Many clients have issues with dust and heat due to where we live so service dust removal is part of the things I offer, if they want.
On the 32 bit and 2 gb , many of my clients are older generation limited income dont want to change the box just because its 15 years old etc. But I have been warning them at some stage they will be forced down the newer box route. I do recyclé kit so If I get the chance for a rejected computer I take it, refurbished with mint, put maximum memory in then only charge a small amount (25 to 35 euros) just to cover my costs.
conventional wisdom suggests a wait until the first point release of a new LTS version drops before going full in to allow the developers to iron out any initial niggles (there are often quite a few). The interim versions, 25.04 and 25.10 will often give you a flavour of what to expect in the following LTS release.
The first point release of Ubuntu 26.04, known as 26.04.1, is scheduled for August 6, 2026
Personally, I would recommend spinning up a live USB copy of 25.10 to see what it offers and whether any extensions or key applications you rely on will perform to expectations.