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# Mageia 9 Released With Linux Kernel 6.4 and PulseAudio Support
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/mageia-9-released/
- Published: 2023-08-29T11:54:09.000Z
- Updated: 2023-08-29T11:54:09.000Z
- Description: Mageia's next big release is here. Check it out.
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: Distribution Releases, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

What started as a fork of [Mandriva Linux](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandriva%5FLinux?ref=itsfoss.com), now has grown into a fully-fledged [independent Linux distro](https://itsfoss.com/independent-linux-distros/).

Started back in 2010, Mageia has come a long way since. It is now a stable and secure operating system for desktop/server use that gets regular updates.

With a recent announcement, Mageia 9 was introduced with plenty of key improvements.

Allow me to take you through those.

## 🆕 Mageia 9: What's New?

![a screenshot of mageia 9 desktop screen](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/08/Mageia_9_1.png)

Powered by the recently released [Linux Kernel 6.4](https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-6-4/), Mageia 9 offers a plethora of improvements over its predecessor.

Some key highlights include:

- **Better Kernel and Hardware Support**
- **Updated Software Suite**
- **Desktop Environment Upgrades**

### Better Kernel and Hardware Support

Thanks to Linux Kernel 6.4, Mageia 9 is equipped with **[Mesa 3D 23.1](https://docs.mesa3d.org/relnotes/23.1.0.html?ref=itsfoss.com)**, that has resulted in better graphics support than ever before.

In the case of hardware, **Mageia 9 uses free video drivers for AMD/ATI graphics cards, AMDGPU**, to support both newer and older cards. But, proprietary drivers don't seem to work with this release.

Similarly, **in the case of Nvidia**, the performance of the Xorg Nouveau driver has been enhanced compared to Mageia 8, and proprietary Nvidia drivers are provided via the non-free repositories.

This has allowed for supporting both, older, and newer Nvidia GPUs.

Furthermore, Mageia 9 is offered with **X.Org 21.1.8** and **XWayland 22.1.9,** they have been split from Xserver for easier maintenance.

### Updated Software Suite

Mageia 9 features an extensive suite of applications, that have been updated to newer versions.

Some include:

- **[LibreOffice 7.5](https://itsfoss.com/libreoffice-7-5-release/)**
- **Blender 3.3.4**
- **VirtualBox 7.0.10**
- **NeoVim 0.9.1**
- **Xen 4.17.0**
- **Ruby 3.1.4**
- **QEmu 7.2**
- **RPM 4.18**
- **Vim 9.0**
- **PHP 8.2**

**Suggested Read** 📖

[LibreOffice 7.5 Unveils Stunning New App Icons and Cool FeaturesLibreOffice 7.5 seems to have a new personality with its brand-new app icons and other improvements.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/02/libreoffice-7.5-release.png)](https://itsfoss.com/libreoffice-7-5-release/)

### Desktop Environment Upgrades

![a screenshot of mageia 9 about info](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/08/Mageia_9_2.png)

First things first, as Mageia's default desktop is KDE Plasma, we start with that.

Mageia 9 features **KDE Plasma 5.27.5**, that has been built on top of **Qt 5.15.7**, **KDE Frameworks 5.105**, and **KDE Applications 23.04.1**.

**Suggested Read** 📖

[💕Valentine’s Gift for KDE Users Arrive in the Form of Plasma 5.27 ReleaseKDE Plasma 5.27 has landed with plenty of improvements.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/02/kde-5-27-release.jpg)](https://itsfoss.com/kde-plasma-5-27-release/)

Then, for **GNOME edition**, Mageia 9 features **GNOME 44.2**, that now defaults to running Wayland on boot with an alternative “GNOME on Xorg” session available.

**In the case of Xfce**, Mageia 9 features [**Xfce 4.18**](https://itsfoss.com/xfce-4-18-release/), that now has dedicated 32-bit/64-bit Live DVDs.

And finally, to sum it up, we have **MATE 1.26.0**, **Cinnamon 5.6**, and **LXQt 1.3.0** as other variants being offered with Mageia 9.

### 🛠️ Other Technical Changes

To conclude, here are some other changes that are worth mentioning:

- Support for both PulseAudio and PipeWire sound servers.
- Lower install footprint if disabling the recommended packages.
- The RPM database now uses SQLite instead of Berkeley DB.
- Major performance improvements for [Nvidia Optimus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia%5FOptimus?ref=itsfoss.com) laptops.

You may go through the [release notes](https://wiki.mageia.org/en/Mageia%5F9%5FRelease%5FNotes?ref=itsfoss.com) to know more about this release.

**Suggested Read** 📖

[13 Independent Linux Distros That are Built From ScratchUnique and independent Linux distributions that are totally built from scratch. Sounds interesting? Check out the list here.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSSreenath![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/08/independent-linux-distros.png)](https://itsfoss.com/independent-linux-distros/)

## 📥 Download Mageia 9

Mageia 9 is available for download right now, head over to the [official website](https://www.mageia.org/en/downloads/?ref=itsfoss.com) to get started.

[Mageia 9](https://www.mageia.org/en/downloads/?ref=itsfoss.com)

**For existing users:** You can follow the official [handy guide](https://wiki.mageia.org/en/How%5Fto%5Fchoose%5Fthe%5Fright%5FMageia%5Fupgrade%5Fmethod?ref=itsfoss.com) to upgrade.

*💬 What do you think about the new changes? Were you waiting for this release? Share your thoughts in the comments down below.*