The Debian-based Mauna Linux 25, codenamed Polaris, has landed with a new desktop choice. Already available in Cinnamon, LXQt, MATE, and Xfce flavors, the distro now ships with GNOME 48 for the first time, rounding out its lineup with five editions.
Mauna Linux 25 introduces GNOME desktop support
Until now, Mauna Linux users had to choose from four environments, or from the unique Christian Edition designed for churches and faith-based users. With this release, GNOME joins the roster, giving fans of the desktop a fresh Debian-based option built on Debian 13.1 Trixie.
The distro continues to feature its own touches, including the Calamares installer, a Mauna software manager, and built-in Portuguese language support. Of course, English and other languages are available too, though the main download portal is still Portuguese-only.
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Mauna Linux 25 Polaris gets kernel and app upgrades
Under the hood, Mauna Linux 25 ships with the Linux 6.12 LTS kernel, plus a long list of updated apps and firmware. Among them:
- GNOME 48.1 (new edition)
- Xfce 4.20 (in the AHE build)
- Cinnamon 6.4.10
- LXQt 21.0
- MATE 1.26.2
- OnlyOffice 9.0.4
- Firefox 142.0.1
- Shortwave 5.0
- GIMP 3.0.4
- Firmware pack dated August 8, 2025
These updates arrive alongside smaller tweaks and bug fixes from both the Debian base and the Mauna team.
Christian Edition is still waiting for an update
The Mauna Linux Christian Edition (MaunaCE) hasn’t yet been refreshed to version 25. It remains tied to the older Debian Bookworm base. When updated, it should bring the same kernel and app upgrades, along with its bundled faith-oriented apps like digital Bibles and tools for church use.
Reasonable requirements keep Mauna Linux lightweight
Despite the new features, Mauna Linux 25 remains lightweight. Its system requirements are modest:
- 2 GB of RAM
- 30 GB of disk space
- Intel Atom processor or better
That makes it accessible to older hardware while still offering a modern Linux experience.
It builds on its strengths
By adding GNOME 48 and updating its toolchain, Mauna Linux 25 expands its appeal while keeping its resource footprint modest. For users who want Debian stability with extra polish and multiple desktop choices, Polaris is shaping up to be a versatile option.
