I've been using Linux (Debian) for about a year and a half on my old laptop, and it worked like a charm. However, after getting a new Zenbook UX3405C, I've faced numerous issues over the past month, like crashes after waking from suspend, erratic audio problems, clipboard glitches, and issues with GNOME logos not loading. Given my smooth experience on my old laptop, I'm curious if Linux support, particularly with new kernel updates (I'm on Arch 6.16), gets better over time. Will these issues resolve themselves with future updates, and should I consider switching to a long-term support (LTS) kernel if it includes the necessary firmware for my new laptop?
4 Answers
From what I've seen, updates can definitely improve things over time. I had an HP laptop with tricky sound drivers that didn't work with any distro until one day, out of the blue, an update fixed it. About switching to LTS, if it supports your hardware, go for it—just keep in mind that it might not have the latest fixes since it’s typically older.
Yes, newer drivers come with newer kernels. But support timelines can vary, and certain devices might lag behind in updates, so patience is key here. Consider what features you're using before moving to an LTS kernel, especially if you're relying on something like ZFS on DKMS that might need the latest updates.
Absolutely! Newer kernels do introduce better hardware drivers and overall improvements. Just remember that different distributions update their kernels on different schedules, so those enhancements could take a while to reach your system. For new hardware, rolling releases are usually more up-to-date with the latest fixes.
Honestly, it really depends. Kernel support for newer hardware gets better with each release, but there’s no guarantee that all bugs will be fixed right away. Bugs like clipboard issues or GNOME loading problems might not be solved just by a kernel update alone.
And if you're using an Asus model, check out asus-linux.org. They have some great resources that might help!