Raspberry Pi OS Switches to labwc Compositor—But Is It Ready?

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Raspberry Pi OS Switches to labwc Compositor—But Is It Ready?


Introduction

The Raspberry Pi Foundation recently announced a significant update to Raspberry Pi OS, introducing a new Wayland compositor called labwc. This change marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Raspberry Pi Desktop, aiming to enhance performance and security. However, early adopters are reporting a less-than-smooth transition, raising questions about the readiness of labwc for widespread use.


Our Recommendation:  Don't Upgrade

Our strong recommendation is to hold off on upgrading to labwc if you need a stable and reliable system. Based on early feedback, labwc appears to still be in a "beta-like" state, with several users reporting bugs and instability. While labwc promises performance enhancements and better compatibility with Raspberry Pi hardware in the long run, the current release may not yet be suitable for all users, particularly those who rely on their Raspberry Pi for critical or everyday tasks.


If you are an advanced user or enjoy experimenting with new software, feel free to give labwc a try, but keep in mind the potential issues and the option to revert if necessary.


A Brief History: From X to Wayland

For decades, the Linux desktop environment has relied on the X Window System (X11) to manage graphical display. While X11 has been a cornerstone of UNIX-like operating systems, it's showing its age. Recognizing the limitations of X11, the Raspberry Pi team began exploring Wayland—a more modern and efficient protocol for managing graphical interfaces.


Initially, Raspberry Pi OS experimented with the mutter window manager, which could function as both an X11 window manager and a Wayland compositor. Later, they transitioned to wayfire with the release of Bookworm in 2023, making Wayland the default for Raspberry Pi 4 and 5 models.


Enter labwc: The New Compositor

After identifying compatibility and performance issues with wayfire, especially on older Raspberry Pi models, the development team turned to labwc. Built on wlroots, labwc promises better performance and a closer alignment with Raspberry Pi's hardware capabilities.


The Login Dialog: A Subtle Admission?

Upon updating to the latest Raspberry Pi OS version and logging in, users are greeted with a dialog box:


"A new window manager is available. Would you like to switch to labwc for a better experience? You can switch back at any time."


This prompt is more than a simple notification; it's a safety net. By offering an easy way to revert to the previous window manager, the Raspberry Pi team appears to acknowledge potential issues with the stability and performance of labwc.


Early Reports: Bugs and Performance Issues

Within two weeks of its release, users have reported various bugs:


  • Display Glitches: Screen flickering and tearing during regular use.

  • Application Crashes: Some applications fail to launch or crash unexpectedly.

  • Touchscreen Problems: Inconsistent behavior with the new virtual keyboard and touch gestures.


These issues are particularly problematic for educational and industrial users who rely on Raspberry Pi for critical tasks.


What This Means for Users

While the move to labwc is a step towards modernization, the current state suggests it might not be ready for all users. If you rely on your Raspberry Pi for stable, everyday use, you might want to hold off on switching to labwc.


How to Revert to the Previous Window Manager

1.  Open a terminal window.
2.  Run sudo raspi-config.
3.  Navigate to 6 Advanced Options > A6 Wayland.
4.  Select W1 X11 Openbox window manager with X11 backend.
5.  Exit and reboot your Raspberry Pi.


Looking Ahead

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has a history of iterative improvement, and it's likely that labwc will receive updates to address these initial shortcomings. For now, the inclusion of the dialog box serves as both an invitation to try the new compositor and an acknowledgment that it's a work in progress.


Final Thoughts

Change is often accompanied by growing pains. The shift to labwc represents a significant technical advancement, but it's essential for the Raspberry Pi community to be aware of the current limitations. As always, backup your important data before making significant system changes and consider testing new updates on a secondary device.



Source:  Raspberry Pi - A new release of Raspberry Pi OS

Image:  Raspberry Pi

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