Which LTS Version of Ubuntu Should You Choose: 16.04 or 18.04?

When deciding between Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus and Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver, the best choice depends on your specific needs. Both versions are Long-Term Support (LTS) releases, which means they receive extended support and updates, but they vary in terms of support timelines, features, and desktop environments.

Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver

Support

Ubuntu 18.04 was released in April 2018 and is scheduled to receive support until April 2028. This extended support lifecycle offers users a substantial advantage in terms of security and stability, especially for mission-critical systems.

Features

Ubuntu 18.04 includes newer software, improved performance, and updated security features. This version comes with a newer kernel, which enhances hardware support and performance.

Desktop Environment

The default desktop environment in Ubuntu 18.04 is GNOME, which offers a modern and intuitive user interface. GNOME replaces Unity, the desktop environment in Ubuntu 16.04, providing a more polished and efficient experience.

Conclusion

If you are starting a new project or system, Ubuntu 18.04 is generally the better choice due to its longer support lifecycle, newer features, and improved performance. However, if you have specific applications that require Ubuntu 16.04, or if you are maintaining legacy systems, Ubuntu 16.04 may still be relevant for your needs.

I Prefere Unity Over GNOME

While many prefer GNOME due to its appearance, I have a soft spot for Unity, partially because of the HUD (Head-Up Display) feature. Unity 7, in particular, offers a higher degree of customization compared to straight GNOME. Although you can't swap shells between GNOME and Unity without risking breaking the system, my preference remains Unity. After upgrading from Ubuntu 16.04 to 19.04 Disco Dingo, I quickly found myself using VMware instead of VirtualBox due to Wayland's instability. Now, with Wayland's maturation, it runs much better.

While I appreciate the GNOME 3 appearance, I still prefer Unity. After upgrading to Ubuntu Unity 21.10 and Ubuntu Studio 20.04 LTS, I find Unity more user-friendly and customizable for my workflow.

UBUNTU 18.04: THE LATEST LTS VERSION

Ubuntu 18.04 is the latest LTS version, meaning it will be supported longer and will have newer features and updates. This makes it generally superior to Ubuntu 16.04, which will not receive updates for much longer.

Considerations Before Upgrading from Ubuntu 16.04 to 18.04

Although Ubuntu 18.04 is an obvious upgrade, there are several aspects to consider before making the switch:

High Visual Demand: Ubuntu 18.04 requires more GPU resources, making it difficult to run as a virtual machine on VirtualBox. I had to switch to VMware.

Increased Bugs and Instability: While the new version has more bugs and crashes, this will be resolved with time.

Incompatibility with Solutions: Some solutions and instructions from online forums will not apply to Ubuntu 18.04, but this will change over time.

Changes in Default Setup: Important changes include updates to OpenJDK and Python 3 over Python 2. I had to spend a significant amount of time configuring the entire "Python stack."

Incompatibility with Some Binaries and Tools: Some tools available on Ubuntu 16.04 might not be available in the apt repositories for Ubuntu 18.04.

Subjective Design Choices: Some design choices, such as an extra title bar, are highly subjective and can be fixed by installing GNOME shell extensions.

While there are downsides, upgrading to Ubuntu 18.04 also has many advantages, mainly due to the new kernel and improved desktop responsiveness. Overall, while upgrading might not transform your life for the better, it is worth considering for those with the time and patience to play around with the configurations.

Update 2020: Ubuntu 20.04

Ubuntu 20.04 has made significant improvements over Ubuntu 18.04, especially with respect to GNOME. The desktop is now much more responsive than in 18.04, and the changes in defaults and supported tools are more limited compared to the transition from 16.04 to 18.04. For those looking to upgrade, it is a recommended choice.