OpenSUSE has released the new version of its Leap distribution. Debuted as OpenSUSE Leap 42.3, the new release is based on SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLE) 12 Service Pack 3.
The new OpenSUSE Leap update includes hundreds of updated packages as compared to its previous release. There is the new SUSE version that is powered by Linux kernel 4.4. Importantly, the development team has spent good eight months in production of the rock-solid Leap build.
The most notable addition in OpenSUSE Leap 42.3 is KDE Plasma 5.8 LTS desktop environment. Users have been provided with the option to either pick the latest KDE version or go with GNOME 3.20. There is also a provision to install other supported environments.
Apart from the new desktop environment options, the OpenSUSE Leap update comes with a server installation profile and includes a full-featured text mode installer. The platform also officially supports Open-Channel solid state drives through LightNVM full-stack initiative. Likewise there are numerous architectural improvements for 64-bit ARM systems.
The OpenSUSE team has provided PHP5 and PHP7 support in the latest Leap distro. There is also an updated graphics stack based on Mesa 17 and GCC 4.8.5 as a default compiler.
Designed for versatile projects
Considering the list of new changes, OpenSUSE 42.3 appears to be an advanced Linux version. It also comes preloaded with packages for streaming media, editing graphics, creating animation, playing games and building 3D printing projects.
The new OpenSUSE Leap version is available for download for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. Existing OpenSUSE Leap users can upgrade their systems using the built-in update system.
