Linux Mint Ships Cinnamon 2.8 Ahead of Mint 27
The Linux Mint team has released Cinnamon 2.8, the default desktop for the upcoming Linux Mint 27 release.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Remote Work
The Linux Mint team released Cinnamon 2.8, which will serve as the default desktop in Linux Mint 27. Mint 27, codenamed "Adrien," is scheduled for release next month.
Why it matters
Linux Mint versions have been based on Ubuntu LTS releases since 2014, so the new desktop release shapes the upcoming distribution. Mint 27 restores system hibernation, a feature Ubuntu has not enabled by default since 12.04.
Cinnamon 2.8 Wayland support is no longer experimental, and Mint 27 restores system hibernation that Ubuntu has not enabled by default since 2012. The stub does not specify performance benchmarks or adoption figures for the new release.
The players
Linux Mint
Linux Mint is a community-driven Linux distribution built on Ubuntu LTS releases that is known for its traditional desktop experience.
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a widely used Linux distribution developed by Canonical, on which Linux Mint has been based since 2014.
The details
Cinnamon 2.8 is the default desktop in Mint 27, which also includes a new alarm clock app and a Community Website that uses GitHub for logins. The Network Manager applet gained improved VPN support and Wi-Fi encryption handling.
Timeline
Late April 2026: Ubuntu 26.04 "Resolute Raccoon" arrived.
November 2026: Cinnamon 2.8 was released alongside LXQt 2.5.0.
December 2026: Linux Mint 27 is expected to land before Christmas.
Roadmap
Mint 27's restoration of hibernation marks a departure from the Ubuntu default that has held since 12.04 "Precise Pangolin." The release follows the 2014 pattern in which Linux Mint builds its versions on Ubuntu LTS foundations.
Users who rely on hibernation can expect it to return in Linux Mint 27 after its absence from Ubuntu defaults. Improved VPN support and Wi-Fi encryption handling in the Network Manager applet affect how users connect securely.
The takeaway
Users planning to upgrade should watch for Linux Mint 27 and its restored hibernation support. The new release signals that Linux Mint continues to diverge from Ubuntu defaults where its users need it.
What happens next
Linux Mint 27 is expected next month, with LXQt 2.5 likely to appear in Lubuntu 27.04 in about five months.
Further reading
For broader context on distributed work tools, see Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TheRegister.
