Which version to newly install prior to an LTS release, the latest point release or the current LTS? [closed]

Solution 1:

Try Both

Download the ISO files for both the 20.04 and the 21.10 and burn them into two USB drives. Boot from each of them in turn. Use the Try Ubuntu option and verify all the hardware peripherals work in the version you are trying.

Pick the version that works for your new computer.

The Reason

The Ubuntu 20.04.3 HWE currently (in December 2021) uses the kennel version 5.11 while the version 21.10 uses kernel version 5.13. The newer kernel may have support for some peripherals such as the WiFi card in your brand new computer.

Note if you install Ubuntu 20.04 now, it will be updated to kernel 5.13 in February 2022.

Advice

Whichever version of Ubuntu you install now, wait for the first point update, that is 22.04.1 (probably August 2022) before you upgrade to the next LTS version.

Hope this helps

Solution 2:

1. Point releases tend to be a bit more unstable than LTS releases.
2. It's always better to install a new release from scratch instead of upgrading an earlier one.
3. 20.04 will be supported for at least a year after 22.04 has been released, depending on the flavour you install, and you won't have to install the new one right away.

Judging from these, I'd use 20.04.