Imagine booting up your laptop, not with a chip from the usual suspects, but with one built on an open-source architecture, humming along with a familiar, fluid desktop experience. This isn’t a sci-fi fantasy; it’s the audacious goal Canonical, the wizards behind Ubuntu, are striving for with their upcoming Ubuntu 25.10 release, affectionately dubbed “Questing Quokka.” By October 2025, they aim to deliver a fully polished desktop session on RISC-V, an open-standard instruction set architecture (ISA) that’s creating quite a stir in the tech world. This bold move could truly shake up how we perceive computing freedom, performance, and the very spirit of innovation.
So, what’s all the fuss about RISC-V, and why should you care? Well, think of RISC-V, pronounced “risk-five,” as the energetic, open-minded sibling in the family of chip architectures, standing apart from proprietary designs like x86 and ARM. The beauty of RISC-V lies in its open-standard nature, meaning anyone can freely use, tinker with, or build upon it without the burden of hefty licensing fees. This unprecedented openness has unleashed a torrent of creativity, leading to everything from compact single-board computers like the OrangePi RV2 to powerful laptops such as the DC-ROMA RISC-V Laptop II. Its inherent flexibility empowers chip designers to craft processors perfectly suited for specific tasks, whether it’s powering AI algorithms, handling data at the edge, or, as we’re now seeing, running full-fledged desktop environments.
For us, the everyday users, RISC-V’s allure is its promise of dismantling the stronghold of closed systems, potentially leading to more affordable and customizable hardware options. For developers, it’s nothing short of a boundless playground for experimentation. However, until very recently, the idea of enjoying a complete desktop experience on RISC-V was more of a distant dream than a tangible reality, primarily due to the intricate dance of software and hardware compatibility challenges. But Canonical’s ambitious undertaking with Ubuntu 25.10 is set to flip that script, paving the way for a user-friendly, robust desktop experience on RISC-V devices.
Canonical’s Grand Leap: Ubuntu 25.10 Embraces RISC-V’s Future
Canonical’s announcement has certainly sent delightful ripples throughout the Linux community. With Ubuntu 25.10, their sights are firmly set on achieving a truly functional desktop session on RISC-V hardware that proudly supports the RVA23 profile. This newer standard, officially ratified by RISC-V International in October 2024, is a game-changer, ensuring a much-needed level of compatibility across various RISC-V implementations. The ultimate payoff? You’ll soon be able to boot up a RISC-V device running Ubuntu and seamlessly use your beloved applications like Firefox and Thunderbird, just as you would on any other system.
Now, there’s a small but significant detail: to pull this off, Canonical is raising the bar for hardware requirements. Ubuntu 25.10 will exclusively support devices that meet the RVA23U64 profile. This means that a good chunk, around 90%, of existing RISC-V hardware – which largely relies on the older RVA20 profile – won’t be able to run or upgrade to this specific release. This decision has sparked some lively discussions. On one hand, it undeniably pushes the entire ecosystem towards modern, high-performance standards, which is exciting for the future. On the other hand, it does run the risk of leaving behind users with older RISC-V boards, some of which, like the OrangePi RV2, were released as recently as March 2025. The RVA23 profile mandates crucial features like Vector (V) and Hypervisor (H) extensions, along with certain cryptography functionalities, which significantly enhance performance for demanding workloads like AI/ML and virtualization. This is a leap towards bringing RISC-V up to par with contemporary ARM64 and x86_64 processors, but it does mean a more limited pool of immediately compatible hardware.
What to Expect from Ubuntu 25.10’s Desktop Experience
So, what exactly does a “fully functional desktop session” translate to for you? Picture this: you power on your RISC-V laptop or single-board computer, and you’re greeted by the sleek and modern GNOME 49 desktop environment. Everything from the smooth animations to the polished interface will be there, along with seamless support for essential applications. Canonical is diligently working to ensure that core apps like Firefox (your trusty web browser) and Thunderbird (a reliable email client) run without a hitch. The release will also cleverly include a mechanism to detect whether your RISC-V hardware supports RVA23, saving you the headache of frustrating upgrade attempts on incompatible devices.
Beyond the exciting RISC-V developments, Ubuntu 25.10 “Questing Quokka” is bringing a treasure trove of other fantastic features to the table:
- Enhanced Wayland Support: Get ready for an even smoother experience, especially for NVIDIA GPU users, with improved Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for breathtaking gaming and multimedia on compatible monitors.
- Fortified Security: Look forward to fully functional TPM-backed Full Disk Encryption (FDE), providing robust protection for your precious data. You’ll even be able to view, save, or print your recovery key during installation, and regenerate it later via the Security Center.
- Fresh GNOME Apps: The desktop experience will feel more modern and intuitive with the introduction of the new Loupe image viewer and Ptyxis terminal emulator.
- Streamlined Enterprise Integration: The desktop installer will now integrate with Landscape, Canonical’s powerful systems management tool, allowing enterprise administrators to fetch autoinstall configuration files directly. Plus, deeper ties with Microsoft Entra ID will enable Ubuntu devices to register natively for centralized policy enforcement.
These additions make Ubuntu 25.10 an invaluable testing ground for features that are destined for the next Long-Term Support (LTS) release, Ubuntu 26.04. This means they’ll be thoroughly battle-tested before reaching a wider audience, ensuring stability and reliability.
Why This Matters for the Future
Canonical’s strong commitment to RISC-V isn’t just about a single release; it’s about laying the groundwork for a whole new era of computing. By prioritizing RVA23, Canonical is placing a strategic bet on newer, more capable hardware that embraces advanced features like vector extensions. As Samsung wisely points out, these extensions can make CPUs significantly faster and more efficient by performing multiple operations simultaneously. This move positions RISC-V as a serious contender, putting it on par with ARMv9 and x86-64v4, and potentially paving its way into everything from our everyday laptops to the vast data centers that power our digital world.
For the passionate tech enthusiasts among us, this means a wider array of options to experiment with cutting-edge hardware, liberated from the confines of proprietary ecosystems. For businesses, it opens the door to building cost-effective, high-performance solutions tailored to their unique needs. And for the vibrant open-source community, it’s a powerful rallying cry to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s truly possible.
Your First Step into the RISC-V World: A Simple Guide
Feeling the itch to dive into this exciting new world? Here’s a straightforward guide to help you get started with Ubuntu 25.10 on a compatible RISC-V device once it’s officially released in October:
- Check Your Hardware: First things first, make sure your device supports the RVA23U64 profile. Examples include the DC-ROMA RISC-V Laptop II or newer single-board computers like the Milk-V Mars. If you’re unsure, a quick check of your manufacturer’s specifications or Canonical’s RISC-V support page should clarify things.
- Download the Image: Once available, head over to ubuntu.com to grab the Ubuntu 25.10 developer image specifically for RISC-V. These are typically 64-bit builds optimized for a smooth desktop experience.
- Flash the Image: Use a reliable tool like Etcher to “flash” the Ubuntu image onto an SD/microSD card or an NVMe drive, depending on what your device uses. For eMMC or NVMe drives, Canonical suggests using the Ubuntu Server live installer for a more streamlined setup.
- Boot and Install: Insert your newly flashed card or drive into your RISC-V device, power it on, and patiently follow the on-screen instructions to install Ubuntu. The installer will perform a quick check for RVA23 compatibility, so you’ll know instantly if your hardware is ready for the “Questing Quokka.”
- Explore the Desktop: Once the installation is complete, log in to the GNOME 49 desktop and let your curiosity guide you! Try launching Firefox or Thunderbird to experience the desktop firsthand, or simply play around with the new Loupe image viewer.
- Stay Updated: Keep in mind that Ubuntu 25.10 is a non-LTS (Long-Term Support) release, meaning it will be supported for nine months (until July 2026). So, make sure to keep an eye on Canonical’s updates for essential security patches and exciting new features.
If your current hardware doesn’t support RVA23, don’t fret! You can still enjoy the stable Ubuntu 24.04 LTS for long-term support or explore other Linux distributions that continue to support RVA20 hardware.
The Road Ahead: Balancing Challenges and Opportunities
Canonical’s decision to sharply focus on RVA23 isn’t without its points of contention. Some critics argue that by dropping support for older RISC-V hardware, it might inadvertently slow down adoption among hobbyists and enthusiasts who often rely on more affordable boards. However, others view it as a crucial and necessary step to ensure that Ubuntu remains a stable, cutting-edge, and forward-looking platform. As a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) aptly noted, “Ubuntu 25.10 raises the bar for RISC-V support,” but this also implies that “only very recent SBCs and other RISC-V hardware platforms will be able to run or upgrade.” This is a natural tension between supporting the vast existing hardware base and pushing for technological advancement that demands more capable silicon.
Despite these debates, the future appears incredibly bright. Canonical’s collaborative efforts with industry leaders like DeepComputing, SiFive, and ESWIN are bringing increasingly powerful RISC-V devices to market, such as the impressive 50 TOPS DC-ROMA RISC-V AI PC. These strategic partnerships, combined with Ubuntu’s well-established and robust software ecosystem, could very well transform RISC-V into a familiar name in desktop computing by the time Ubuntu 26.04 LTS makes its grand debut.
A New Chapter for Open-Source Computing
Canonical’s visionary plan to deliver a fully functional desktop session on RISC-V with Ubuntu 25.10 is far more than just a technical achievement; it’s a powerful testament to the sheer potential and collaborative spirit of open-source development. It’s about empowering users and developers with the freedom to innovate without unnecessary barriers, all while upholding the renowned ease of use and rock-solid reliability that Ubuntu is celebrated for. Whether you’re a seasoned Linux enthusiast, a curious developer, or simply someone fascinated by the evolving landscape of computing, Ubuntu 25.10 on RISC-V is undeniably a story that deserves your attention.