Why provide a non-LTS kernel by default.

Hi there,
I was going to install a new Manjaro KDE system inside a VM with the newest ISO image provided on the website and I was quite surprised to see that it provided Linux 6.10 as its default kernel instead of the latest LTS, which is usually the choice I see.

Is there a good technical reason for choosing a non-LTS kernel, a EOL one nonetheless, over an LTS one like Linux 6.6? Because with a LTS kernel, you can usually run the same series for several years without having to manually install a new one, while a non-LTS kernel last a few months at best.

(Not that I particularly care for a virtual machine in my case, I was wondering in general.)

I can see this happening, it is just a matter of timing. The next ISO will have the newer kernel. You just need to use Manjaro-Settings-Manager and update to your desired kernel.

For me, as a rule, I keep one LTS kernel and run the latest the system can handle.

-Cheers

I’ve wondered this myself, but I don’t hate it.

What is concerning is the times an actual EOL kernel (or days away) is pushed out through all the supported images, for up to many weeks.

The support posts here always seem to elevate after those, for quite some time.

I think it’s safe to say most people will be updating their system, but not their kernel in (stable) Manjaro, for their first time using it.

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I’ve wondered about this too. It seems Nvidia users always have issues with updates when they don’t know they need to update to a supported kernel.

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Minimal ISOs with v6.6 and v6.1 LTS kernels are available in forum release announcement

Manjaro 24.1 Xahea released

Kernel 6.10 is used for this release, such as the latest drivers available to date. With 6.6 LTS and 6.1 LTS we offer additional support for older hardware as needed.

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The idea is (i guess) people with very new hardware to be able to test if it works with manjaro. That is fine, but this is where fine ends and stupid begins. Like downloading official image from the official website with already unsupported eol kernel. And no, new users cannot be expected to deep dive in github or the forum, otherwise why at all having a (recently redesigned!) website.

The problem is official images are pushed to the website every couple of months instead of every month. And the lifetime of the linux kernels is 3 months, so it is clear how it is going.

For me, 2 things have to be done: updating the iso-s on the site after every stable update once a month (it will also eliminate the need to download gigabytes of updates right after fresh install). And shipping with stable AND lts kernel. After all the isos are 3 GB, a 100MB more or less do not matter.
But for some reason the manjato developers do not do it that way.

At least recently was dealt with automatically replacing the eol kernels on update, this was a step in the right direction.

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Xahea 24.1.2 (2024-11-04)
Xahea 24.1.1 (2024-10-11)
Xahea 24.1.0 (2024-10-01)

Manjaro 24.0 Wynsdey released
Kernel 6.9 is used for this release, such as the latest drivers available to date. With 6.6 LTS and 6.1 LTS we offer additional support for older hardware as needed.

Wynsdey 24.0.8 (2024-09-08)
Wynsdey 24.0.7 (2024-08-21)
Wynsdey 24.0.6 (2024-08-12)
Wynsdey 24.0.6 (2024-08-12)
Wynsdey 24.0.5 (2024-07-30)
Wynsdey 24.0.3 (2024-07-02)

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Technical reasons for latest kernel

  • features
  • hardware support
  • security

Please see the FAQ on The Linux Kernel Archives - FAQ

See releases at Manjaro Linux - Browse /kde/24.1.2 at SourceForge.net for kernel options

Release reviews at Releases · manjaro/release-review · GitHub

arent minimal flavors supplied with not one but few LTS kernels

With 6.6 LTS and 6.1 LTS we offer additional support for older hardware

is the main reason.

As Manjaro allows switching to every Kernel by design.