Linux Mint 21.3 Edge-ISO with Linux kernel 6.5 released for download

Linux Mint is the second most popular Linux distribution on Distrowatch, but it comes with the older Linux kernel 5.15 LTS ("long-term support") as the default version. This is due to the equally older base distribution Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, on which the current Linux Mint 21.3 "Viginia" is still based. As in the past, the Linux Mint developers also provide an "Edge" ISO file of the Cinnamon edition with the latest kernel for newer hardware for Mint 21.3.

Linux Mint 21.3 runs on current hardware with Linux Kernel 6.5

"This image is made for people whose hardware is too new to boot the 5.15 LTS kernel included in Linux Mint 21.x. It ships with kernel 6.5 instead," the developers write on the Linux Mint blog. This means that almost two weeks after its official release, Linux Mint 21.3 is now getting the Edge version for broader hardware support, in case the regular install file fails to boot from the live USB stick, or the graphics card or WLAN adapter does not work, for example.

The Edge ISO of Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon Edition was originally scheduled to ship with the 6.2 Linux kernel from Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS, but due to compatibility issues with Acer laptops, AMD graphics cards, WLAN adapters and SSDs, the Mint development team switched to the more up-to-date 6.5 kernel instead.

The Edge version is currently only available with the Cinnamon desktop, which is developed by the Linux Mint team itself. However, other desktop environments such as XFCE or Mate can usually be easily installed using the package management system. The Edge ISO of Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon Edition is now available for download from the Linux Mint website.