Ubuntu Linux 24.04.4 LTS brings several key updates, including a new Linux kernel 6.17 and Mesa 25.2.8, which add support for fresh hardware and improve gaming performance. The update also includes newer versions of Firefox, Snapd, and LibreOffice, making most users' experiences smoother and more stable. Gamers on laptops with integrated graphics will particularly benefit from the Mesa refresh, which can lead to a 5-10% bump in frame rates. Overall, this point release addresses real pain points for Ubuntu users, including new hardware support and modest gaming improvements, making it worth upgrading.

Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS: Kernel 6.17 and Mesa 25.2.8 Bring Fresh Hardware Support and Gaming Gains

Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS lands with the Linux 6.17 kernel pulled from the upcoming 25.10 “Questing Quokka” cycle, plus Mesa 25.2.8 for a noticeable graphics lift. The update also bumps Firefox to version 147, Snapd to 2.73 and LibreOffice to 25.8.4, meaning most users can stay on the same LTS base while getting newer drivers and a smoother browsing experience.

What’s actually changing

The biggest headline is the kernel swap. Earlier point releases stuck with 6.8, 6.11 or 6.14; jumping to 6.17 adds support for a handful of late‑release CPUs, recent Wi‑Fi chips and newer NVMe SSD controllers that were previously left on the sidelines. In practice that means a laptop that started refusing to see its Wi‑Fi after the 24.04.3 upgrade will likely reconnect once you roll forward.

On the graphics side Mesa 25.2.8 brings updated Radeon, Intel and AMDGPU drivers straight from the Quokka development branch. Players who kept an eye on frame‑rates in titles like Valorant or Elden Ring have reported a 5‑10 % bump after moving to the newer stack, especially on hybrid laptops that rely on the integrated GPU for most games.

Firefox’s move to version 147 isn’t just a number change; it finally drops support for legacy NPAPI plugins and tightens sandboxing. If you’ve been annoyed by occasional crashes when loading heavy web‑GL sites, the new build feels more stable.

Snapd 2.73 is mostly under the hood, but it does tidy up the classic “snap refresh” timing that many users found unpredictable. LibreOffice 25.8.4 adds a few minor UI tweaks and better handling of large spreadsheets—nothing revolutionary, but a welcome polish for office‑type workloads.

Who really needs this point release

If you’re running Ubuntu 24.04 on older hardware that still works, the upgrade may feel unnecessary; the LTS promise is stability, not bleeding‑edge features. However, anyone who’s hit driver dead‑ends—think a brand‑new Wi‑Fi 6E card that never showed up in lspci after the 24.04.2 update—will see this as a genuine fix.

Gamers on laptops with integrated graphics will notice smoother frame pacing thanks to the Mesa refresh. The difference is subtle but enough that you’ll stop wondering why your game stuttered after a Windows install and start appreciating the Linux side again.

How to get the new bits

The point release is delivered through the normal update channel, so there’s no need for a fresh installation ISO unless you prefer a clean install. Open a terminal, run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

The command pulls in the latest kernel and associated packages from the Ubuntu archive. After the upgrade finishes, reboot to land on Linux 6.17. If you prefer to keep your current kernel as a fallback, the installer automatically adds it to the GRUB menu, allowing a quick roll‑back if something goes sideways.

For those who like to test before committing, the ubuntu-mainline-kernel.sh script can fetch the exact 6.17 build from Ubuntu’s kernel PPA without touching the rest of the system. Just remember that mixing mainline kernels with LTS libraries occasionally leads to mismatched driver versions; most users are better off sticking with the official point‑release path.

A solid upgrade

Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS isn’t a radical overhaul, but it does address real pain points—new hardware support, modest gaming improvements and a steadier Firefox experience. If your system has been limping along with older drivers or you’ve been curious about how the newer Mesa stack feels on an integrated GPU, the upgrade is worth a few minutes of downtime.