One of the most noticeable features of cosmic os is its desktop environment, COSMIC. COSMIC is based on GNOME Shell, but it introduces some changes that improve the workflow and usability of the system. For example, COSMIC separates the workspaces overview from the applications overview, allowing you to switch between them with different keyboard shortcuts or gestures. It also adds a dock at the bottom of the screen, which can be customized to show your favorite or running apps. Additionally, COSMIC offers a keyboard-centric app launcher that lets you quickly search and launch apps with just a few keystrokes.
Another feature of cosmic os is its GPU support. Cosmic os comes with two versions: one for Intel/AMD systems with free drivers, and one for Nvidia systems with proprietary drivers. You can choose the appropriate version for your hardware when you download the ISO image. Cosmic os also provides a GUI toggle in the system menu for switching between different video modes on dual GPU laptops. You can choose between integrated graphics, discrete graphics, hybrid graphics, or compute graphics depending on your needs and preferences.
Cosmic os also offers some under-the-hood changes that improve the performance and responsiveness of the system. For instance, it uses a power management package from Intel's Clear Linux distribution that optimizes the CPU frequency and governor settings. It also uses some patches from XanMod Kernel that enhance the desktop interactivity and latency. Furthermore, cosmic os provides easy installation of TensorFlow and CUDA packages for machine learning and scientific computing.
How to install cosmic os on your computer?
The recommended way to install cosmic os is through the package manager on Pop!_OS, another Linux distribution developed by System76. Pop!_OS is very similar to cosmic os in terms of features and functionality, but it uses a more vanilla GNOME desktop environment. To install cosmic os on Pop!_OS 21.04 or higher, you need to run the following commands in a terminal:
sudo apt update sudo apt install pop-cosmic libpop-desktop-widget gnome-shell-extension-cosmic-dock gnome-shell-extension-cosmic-workspaces
After that, you need to restart GNOME Shell by pressing Alt+F2, typing r, and pressing Enter. Then you need to enable the "Cosmic Dock", "Cosmic Workspaces", and "Pop COSMIC" extensions in GNOME Extensions or GNOME Tweaks. You will also need to enable "Pop Shell" if it is not enabled already.
If you want to install cosmic os from scratch on your computer, you can download the ISO image from . You will need to choose between the Intel/AMD version or the Nvidia version depending on your hardware. Then you will need to create a bootable USB drive with the ISO image using a tool like Rufus or Et systems with easy switching between video modes.
- Nvidia version requires proprietary drivers that may not support the latest kernel or hardware features.
- Performance and responsiveness improvements from power management and kernel patches.
- Performance and responsiveness improvements may not be noticeable on some hardware configurations or workloads.
- Large software repository and compatibility with Ubuntu packages and updates.
- Some software packages may not be optimized or tested for cosmic os or COSMIC desktop environment.
- Easy installation of TensorFlow and CUDA packages for machine learning and scientific computing.
- TensorFlow and CUDA packages may not be compatible with some GPU models or drivers.
As you can see, cosmic os has some strengths and weaknesses that may affect your decision to use it or not. Ultimately, the best way to find out if cosmic os suits your needs and preferences is to try it out yourself. You can either install it on a separate partition, a virtual machine, or a live USB drive and test its features and performance. You can also check out some reviews and benchmarks from other users and experts online.
Conclusion: A summary of the main points and a recommendation for the readers.
Cosmic os is a Linux distribution that offers a customized desktop environment, out-of-the-box GPU support, and plenty of tools for gaming and productivity. It is based on Ubuntu, but it also adds some customizations and enhancements that make it stand out from other Ubuntu derivatives. Cosmic os is mainly designed for System76's own hardware, but it can also be installed on any compatible computer. Cosmic os features a modified GNOME desktop environment called COSMIC, which aims to provide a more efficient and intuitive user experience. Cosmic os also comes with two versions: one for Intel/AMD systems with free drivers, and one for Nvidia systems with proprietary drivers. Cosmic os also offers some under-the-hood changes that improve the performance and responsiveness of the system. Cosmic os also provides easy installation of TensorFlow and CUDA packages for machine learning and scientific computing.
If you are looking for a Linux distribution that delivers light-speed performance, plenty of features, a high level of fluidity, and good battery life, you might want to give cosmic os a try. Cosmic os is especially suitable for gamers and power users who want to have more control and customization over their system. However, cosmic os may not be compatible with some GNOME extensions or themes, some software packages may not be optimized or tested for cosmic os or COSMIC desktop environment, and some GPU models or drivers may not work well with TensorFlow or CUDA packages. Therefore, you should test cosmic os before installing it on your main system and check if it meets your expectations and requirements.
FAQs: Five frequently asked questions about cosmic os with answers.
Q: How do I update cosmic os?
A: You can update cosmic os using the same methods as Ubuntu. You can either use the Software Updater GUI tool or the apt command-line tool in a terminal. For example, to update cosmic os using apt, you need to run the following commands:
sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade
Q: How do I customize COSMIC desktop environment?
A: You can customize COSMIC desktop environment using the Settings app or the GNOME Extensions app. You can change the appearance, behavior, keyboard shortcuts, gestures, dock settings, workspaces settings, app launcher settings, and more. You can also install additional GNOME extensions or themes to enhance your desktop experience.
Q: How do I install Steam on cosmic os?
A: You can install Steam on cosmic os using the Pop!_Shop app or the apt command-line tool in a terminal. For example, to install Steam using apt, you need to run the following command:
sudo apt install steam
Q: How do I enable fractional scaling on cosmic os?
A: You can enable fractional scaling on cosmic os using the Displays settings in the Settings app. You can choose between 100%, 125%, 150%, 175%, or 200% scaling for your display resolution. However, fractional scaling may cause some performance issues or graphical glitches on some applications or hardware configurations.
Q: How do I uninstall cosmic os?
A: If you want to uninstall cosmic os from your computer, you need to boot from another operating system or a live USB drive and delete the partition where cosmic os is installed. You may also need to restore the bootloader of your previous operating system if you have one. However, before uninstalling cosmic os, you should backup your important data and files to avoid losing them.
</p
0e077331a3