TUXEDO OS Drops Ubuntu in Favor of Debian Testing

TUXEDO Computers is leaving Ubuntu behind. The Linux distribution developed by the Bavarian PC manufacturer will soon be based on Debian Testing instead. The decision comes down to several factors.

Why the switch?

Until now, TUXEDO OS followed a hybrid release model built on Ubuntu LTS while continuously updating components such as the Linux kernel, web browsers, NVIDIA drivers, and KDE Plasma. That approach has worked well for years, but maintaining it has become increasingly difficult.

Backporting is becoming a challenge

Backporting modern software to an older package base requires more effort over time, especially when newer applications depend on libraries that are either outdated or unavailable in Ubuntu LTS. Updating core libraries such as Qt, which KDE Plasma depends on, can also cause software from the Ubuntu repositories to stop working properly.

The growing focus on Snap

Canonical is steadily shifting more applications toward Snap packages while traditional DEB packages are becoming less important. As a result, keeping Snap out of TUXEDO OS is becoming increasingly difficult.

Canonical's AI roadmap

TUXEDO also points to Canonical's AI roadmap, announced by Mark Shuttleworth during Ubuntu Summit 26.04. According to the company, the plans are still not transparent enough. It also argues that security updates sometimes take longer to reach users than necessary.

"Continuous Debian"

Rather than switching to Debian Stable, TUXEDO OS will use Debian Testing as its permanent foundation. Even after the release of Debian 14 "Forky", expected in the summer of 2027, the distribution will continue tracking the Testing branch. TUXEDO refers to this approach as "Continuous Debian."

For users, very little will change. Package management stays the same, updates will continue through Discover or the command line, and the overall system layout remains unchanged. The kernel, browsers, and graphics stack will still receive frequent updates.

New packages first enter Debian Unstable (Sid) before moving to Debian Testing after successful testing. Testing eventually becomes the next stable Debian release.

Btrfs with snapshots

Another major change is the adoption of Btrfs as the default file system, together with automatic snapshots and rollback support through Snapper. Before every package update, the system automatically creates a snapshot. If something goes wrong, users can restore the previous system state within minutes.

No direct migration

According to TUXEDO, an in-place upgrade from the Ubuntu-based release to the new Debian-based version will not be technically possible. Instead, users will have to perform a clean installation. A detailed migration guide will be published before the final release. Those who prefer to remain on an Ubuntu-based platform will be offered a straightforward migration path to Kubuntu 26.04.

Conclusion

The move to Debian Testing gives TUXEDO greater control over its release cycle while reducing its dependence on Canonical's strategic decisions. The company also sees the transition as a step toward greater digital sovereignty. For customers who buy TUXEDO hardware, that is likely to be good news in the long run.