The release candidate phase has begun for the upcoming openSUSE Leap 16.1 in-step with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.1. Most notable with the openSUSE Leap 16.1 is the introduction of its new immutable mode.

openSUSE Leap 16.1 is the first Leap version offering an immutable mode for transactionally updating the system with a read-only root file-system. The openSUSE Leap 16.1 immutable mode aims to replace the existing Leap Micro builds. openSUSE Leap 16.1+ with Immutable Mode is intended for container and VM hosts moving forward rather than the Leap Micro releases. Opting for the immutable mode of openSUSE Leap can be done via the OS installer.

With openSUSE Leap 16.1 RC builds also is KDE Plasma 6.6 while the GNOME desktop alternative remains at GNOME 48. LXQt also was upgraded from v2.2 to v2.4.

Downloads and more details on the openSUSE Leap 16.1 release candidate testing via news.opensuse.org.