Mageia 8 Update: Release Candidate 1 (RC1) out with new GLVND support

The upcoming stable Mageia 8 release is still a long way ahead, but the latest update, Mageia 8 RC1 brings several core package updates.

While Mageia 8 Alpha 1 update was made available in July 2020 to early testers to help with the development of the stable final release of Mageia 8. With large scale updates to core packages as well as features to improve on what Mageia already offered; albeit the initial final release scheduled for September 18 has surpassed its estimated time.

Nonetheless, the first release candidate (RC1) which was announced on February 6, means that Mageia 8 development though a bit slow is still a work-in-progress.

What's New in Mageia 8 RC1

Mageia 8 RC1 brings the latest Linux Kernel 5.10.12 LTS, and update desktop environments such as Xfce 4.16, Mate 1.24 and Plasma 5.20.4. It uses the new GLVND (GL Vendor Neutral Dispatch) that allows you to install Mesa and any other third-party GL drivers in parallel, with improved performance and hybrid GPU configurations.

Also, Mageia 8 RC1 has updated the Java stack to version 11, with support for Java 8 removed (though users can still work with Java 8). Other core package updates in Mageia 8 RC1, includes:

LibreOffice 7.0.4.2
Chromium 88 (x86_64-only)
Python 3.8.5, Rust 1.48.0, Ruby 2.7.2
GCC 10.2.1, LLVM 10.0.1
Cinnamon 4.8.3
Systemd 246

Additionally, Mageia 8 RC1 also brings improvements in the Netinstall ISO image, which now allows installation via Wi-Fi connections using WPA encryption.

How to Download Mageia 8 RC1

If you want to give Mageia 8 RC1 a spin, you can download the torrent file or ISO image here. It offers installation media for both 32 and 64bit systems, with 64bit live images for Plasma, GNOME and Xfce, as well as 32bit live image for Xfce.

But as always recommended with pre-release images, do not install on your main system, and you should use your best judgement.