EndeavourOS Linux Mercury Neo refresh arrives with updated ISO and proves Windows 11 isn’t worth the hassle
There’s a brand new ISO out for EndeavourOS referred to as “Mercury Neo,” and it’s the type of Linux launch that makes you critically query why you’re nonetheless placing up with the annoying Home windows 11. Let’s be sincere, of us, Microsoft’s flagship product feels extra like a roadblock than an working system at this level. Mercury Neo, alternatively, simply quietly works.
This isn’t some large flashy overhaul, and that’s completely superb; it’s extra of a quiet tune-up. Mercury Neo is a refreshed tackle the Mercury launch from February, and it brings some essential fixes, updates, and enhancements — particularly for people doing new installs. Should you’ve already acquired Mercury put in and also you replace repeatedly, you’re good. No have to reinstall something.
The brand new ISO brings up to date packages and instruments that make the set up expertise smoother and extra predictable. The Calamares installer has been bumped to model 25.02.2.1-2. Firefox 136 is baked in. The Linux kernel? It’s model 6.13.7.arch1-1. There’s additionally Mesa 25, the most recent Xorg server, and up to date Nvidia drivers for these utilizing discrete graphics.
Just a few sensible modifications have been made beneath the hood too. They eliminated xwaylandvideobridge from the set up script because it was dropped upstream. Mirror rating throughout set up acquired mounted — that bug was inflicting failed installations in sure areas. And out of date Nvidia boot choices? Gone. Cleaned up.
One change that’s simple to overlook however actually helpful: in case you decide the Systemd auto-install possibility, the EFI partition will now be 2GB as an alternative of 1GB. That may sound small, however it offers you extra respiration room for issues like a number of kernels and superior setups. It’s the type of element Home windows customers by no means even get to regulate.
Mercury Neo is Arch-based, so it’s quick, light-weight, and rolling launch. But it surely additionally feels surprisingly polished. The crew behind it really listens to suggestions, and so they’re always refining issues primarily based on real-world use. That’s one thing you simply don’t actually see from Microsoft.
EndeavourOS Mercury Neo is on the market to obtain here now. Should you’ve had sufficient of Home windows 11 doing no matter it needs together with your system, this is likely to be the right time to strive one thing completely different.
