Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need – a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.

I have been using Ubuntu 8.10 RC for sometime now and haven’t faced any problems. The hardware support is just exceptional. However, you might wannt check the release note of Ubuntu 8.10 before upgrading or installing.

System Requirements
Bare Minimum System Requirements

• 300 MHz x86 processor
• 64 MB of system memory (RAM)
• At least 4 GB of disk space (for full installation and swap space)
• VGA graphics card capable of 640×480 resolution
• CD-ROM drive or network card

Recommended minimum requirements

• 700 MHz x86 processor
• 384 MB of system memory (RAM)
• 8 GB of disk space
• Graphics card capable of 1024×768 resolution
• Sound card
• A network or Internet connection

For other requirements you might want to check the System Requirements.

Download Ubuntu 8.10
In order to download the latest version of Ubuntu which is Intrepid Ibex, please visit the download page.

Upgrading to Ubuntu 8.10
You can upgrade to the latest release in very simple steps. The complete upgradation guide can be found here. You can also request for free CDs of Ubuntu 8.10 here.

Have fun with the latest release. It’s a good idea to back up your computer and if possible create an image of existing system before upgrading.

I am not going to tell you how to install Ubuntu on your machine whether it’s a fresh install or whether you are planning to dual boot it on your windows machine. There are plenty of resources out there which will help you achieve this based on your requirements. The whole concept with which we are writing Ubuntu related posts is that you should be able to install and achieve things in non-geeky and in very simple 2-5 steps. Ubuntu launches 2 versions each year and the latest version is which is highly awaited will be launched at the end of this month.

The new version is code named Intrepid Ibex and is going to be called as Ubuntu 8.10. However, the beta version of Intrepid Ibex is already available for download and upgradation. Today, we are going to see how you can in easy steps upgrade to Ubuntu 8.10 or Intrepid Ibex. There are multiple ways of doing this, but as we only focus on the most easiest way of doing things on Linux, we’ll see the graphical way of upgrading to Ubuntu 8.10. Please note that I am on Ubuntu 8.04/Hardy Heron but it should not affect if you are on previous version of Ubuntu. The step remains same.

Following is how you can upgrade to Intrepid Ibex/Ubuntu 8.10:

1. Press Alt+F2 to launch Run Application and type “update-manager -d” without quotes in the command box.

2. You’ll see a window like the one below and click Upgrade.

3. After a little while you’ll see a window like the one below. Just press Start Upgrade.

4. That’s it your upgradation process would start and will take a while depending on your Internet connection speed.

5. Once the upgradation is done, restart your computer to boot into Intrepid Ibex/Ubuntu 8.10.

We hope this guide helped you upgrading. Please not that upgrading to beta version Ubuntu 8.10 might not be good idea as it’s for testers. You might wanna wait for the final release.