Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution developed by System76, a manufacturer of Linux laptops and desktops. Created to provide an optimal computing experience for System76 hardware while being excellent on any PC, Pop!_OS has evolved into a popular distribution known for its productivity features, excellent NVIDIA support, and custom COSMIC desktop environment.

Key Features and Advantages

Pop!_OS focuses on productivity, developer experience, and seamless hardware support. System76 developers have created numerous enhancements over standard Ubuntu, including automatic window tiling, improved keyboard-driven workflow, exceptional NVIDIA driver integration, and recovery partition for easy system restoration. The custom COSMIC desktop (currently based on GNOME, with Rust rewrite in progress) provides a refined Linux experience.

Core Features

• Auto-Tiling: Built-in window tiling for productivity
• COSMIC Desktop: Custom GNOME-based environment
• Excellent NVIDIA Support: Dedicated ISO with drivers pre-installed
• Pop!_Shop: Curated application store with Flatpak support
• Recovery Partition: Built-in system recovery and refresh
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Extensive keyboard-driven workflow
• Workspaces: Enhanced virtual desktop management

Installation and Setup

Pop!_OS provides two ISO images: standard (Intel/AMD graphics) and NVIDIA (with proprietary drivers pre-installed). The custom installer handles drive encryption, dual-boot setup, and partition management. Pop!_OS creates a recovery partition enabling system refresh without reinstallation media—preserving user data while resetting the system to factory state.

# Update system
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

# Pop!_OS specific tools
pop-upgrade  # Manages OS version upgrades
system76-power  # Power management for laptops

# Install additional software via Pop!_Shop
# or command line
sudo apt install package-name

COSMIC Desktop Environment

COSMIC (Computer Operating System Main Interface Components) is Pop!_OS’s custom desktop based on GNOME with significant enhancements. Features include automatic window tiling, stacking mode toggle, launcher with application and system search, workspaces manager, and keyboard-first navigation. System76 is developing a complete Rust rewrite of COSMIC for even better performance and customization.

Auto-Tiling Feature

Pop!_OS’s killer feature is automatic window tiling. Toggle tiling mode with Super+Y to have windows automatically arrange in efficient layouts. Tiling mode optimizes screen space for productivity work, coding, and multi-tasking. Combined with workspaces and keyboard shortcuts, it creates a powerful productive environment.

Pop!_OS for Different Users

Developers and Programmers

Pop!_OS excels as a development platform with excellent tools, native Docker/Kubernetes support, wide programming language availability, and productive tiling window management. Many developers choose Pop!_OS for its balance of stability (Ubuntu base) and enhancements (COSMIC, tiling).

Content Creators and Multimedia

Strong NVIDIA support makes Pop!_OS excellent for video editing, 3D rendering, and graphic design. Pre-installed codecs, Flatpak support for creative applications, and optimized graphics drivers provide good multimedia experience.

Gaming

Pop!_OS supports gaming well with NVIDIA drivers pre-configured, Steam easily installable, Proton compatibility layer, and System76-optimized graphics switching for hybrid laptop graphics. While not gaming-specialized like Garuda, Pop!_OS handles gaming capably.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Pop!_OS different from Ubuntu?

Pop!_OS includes custom COSMIC desktop with auto-tiling, improved keyboard workflow, pre-installed NVIDIA drivers (NVIDIA ISO), recovery partition, Pop!_Shop with Flatpak, and System76-specific enhancements. It removes Snap store in favor of Flatpak, provides cleaner experience, and focuses on productivity features.

Do I need System76 hardware to use Pop!_OS?

No, Pop!_OS works excellently on any PC. While optimized for System76 hardware with additional drivers and firmware support, the majority of Pop!_OS users run it on non-System76 computers. It’s a general-purpose distribution available to everyone.

Which Pop!_OS ISO should I download?

Download NVIDIA ISO if you have NVIDIA graphics card for pre-installed proprietary drivers. Download Intel/AMD ISO for integrated graphics or AMD discrete graphics. Both ISOs are otherwise identical; the difference is NVIDIA driver inclusion.

Can I use Pop!_OS without the tiling window manager?

Yes, auto-tiling is completely optional. Toggle it on/off with Super+Y or disable it permanently in settings. Pop!_OS works perfectly as a traditional desktop without tiling. The feature is there when you want productivity benefits but never mandatory.

How does Pop!_OS handle system updates?

Pop!_OS receives updates from Ubuntu repositories plus Pop!_OS-specific packages. Regular updates install through Pop!_Shop or apt. Major version upgrades use the pop-upgrade tool for controlled, reliable OS version transitions. The recovery partition enables system refresh if updates cause issues.

Is Pop!_OS good for beginners?

Yes, Pop!_OS is very beginner-friendly. The installation is straightforward, hardware detection is excellent, COSMIC desktop is intuitive, and System76 provides good documentation. It’s easier than standard Ubuntu for NVIDIA users due to pre-configured drivers.

What is the Pop!_OS recovery partition?

Pop!_OS creates a 4GB recovery partition containing a minimal Linux environment and tools to refresh or repair your installation. Boot into recovery (hold Space at startup) to reinstall OS while preserving user data, fix boot issues, or perform system maintenance without external media.

Can I install other desktop environments on Pop!_OS?

Yes, you can install GNOME vanilla, KDE Plasma, or other desktops alongside COSMIC. However, this may create conflicts and isn’t officially supported. For different desktop environments, consider using base Ubuntu or other distributions designed for multiple DEs.

How stable is Pop!_OS compared to Ubuntu?

Pop!_OS is as stable as Ubuntu since it uses Ubuntu LTS as its base. System76’s additions are thoroughly tested before release. Pop!_OS follows Ubuntu LTS release cycle, providing stability while adding valuable enhancements and productivity features.

What programming languages and tools are available on Pop!_OS?

Pop!_OS provides access to all Ubuntu software repositories, meaning virtually any programming language, IDE, or development tool is available. Python, JavaScript/Node.js, Java, Go, Rust, C/C++, and more install easily. Docker, Kubernetes, Git, VS Code, and development toolchains work perfectly.

Conclusion

Pop!_OS successfully enhances Ubuntu with productivity-focused features, exceptional hardware support, and thoughtful design decisions. Whether you’re a developer seeking efficient workflow tools, a creator needing reliable NVIDIA support, or a user who values keyboard-driven productivity, Pop!_OS delivers a polished, capable Linux distribution. System76’s commitment to improving the Linux desktop experience benefits the entire community, making Pop!_OS an excellent choice for anyone seeking a productive, well-supported Ubuntu-based distribution.