The folks behind the Fedora Project have released a major update to the popular, long-running Linux distribution.

Among other things, the default desktop environment for Fedora 34 is GNOME 40, which brings a new look, redesigned apps, and other improvements. Pipewire replaces PulseAudio for all audio applications. And the Btrfs file system now supports transparent compression, which basically means data can be compressed on the fly to save space and improve performance.

Fedora 34 Desktop with GNOME 40

Fedora says the move from PulseAudio to Pipewire should offer a single solution for casual users and professionals alike, support for high-performance, low-latency audio, and improved security.

Using the zstd:1 compression algorithm with the Btrfs file system can help extend the lifespan of solid state drives and improve read and write speeds. But if you’d rather not use it, there is support for disabling compression.

And you can find a bunch of other under-the-hood changes for developers and sysadmins in the release notes.

Prefer not to use the GNOME desktop? Fedora offers official “spins” that come with alternate desktop environments including KDE Plasma, Xfce, LXQt, LXDE, MATE-Compiz, and Cinnamon.

Fedora 34 is also the first to feature an official spin with a tiling window manager. The new Fedora i3 Spin is designed to be easy to navigate with just a keyboard, no mouse, touchpad, or pen required. In addition to the tiling window manager, it features lightweight, keyboard-friendly apps including a web browser, text editor, and media player.

Fedora i3 Spin

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9 replies on “Fedora Linux 34 brings big changes to the desktop, audio, and more”

  1. Like Ubuntu LTS for stability and Fedora for edge also there is openSUSE rpm. You need to enable RPMFusion on Fedora for many software to use. Yes regolith-linux based on Ubuntu also there Ubuntu Cinnamon Remix. https://bodhilinux.com also on Ubuntu with enlightenment DE.

  2. I just installed Fedora 34 on my laptop and I’m liking it. Gnome 40 is a BIG improvement over Gnome 3 and the Gnome Shell. I like the way they made the Activities overlay look like a NORMAL desktop, instead of like the infamous UAC screen introduced in Windows Vista. It’s good to see Gnome finally trying to fix the mistake they made 10 years ago. I think it’s cool that Fedora beat Ubuntu to the punch by releasing Gnome 40 as the default desktop first. I’m also curious to see System 76’s Pop! OS when they release the Cosmic desktop environment next month.

    1. And unlike Ubuntu, Fedora 34 is 100% compatible with the wifi adapter in my laptop.

  3. Since Ubuntu left the Unity desktop, this gnome….they keep polishing and polishing, but it’s still a turd. Now…they’ve taken way the only asset they had(and stole from unity)…horizontal desktop space. What idiot can up with this? They might as just copy Windows 10 now and get it over with….it’s quite obvious their bereft of any new ideas.

    1. You did read the part about other DEs being available, didn’t you?

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