Which LinuxCNC version for a MESA 7i96s in 2024?

Hi,

Which version of LinuxCNC is recommended for the MESA 7i96s (for a beginner user) in late 2024 / '25?

Debian 10 (Buster) + 2.8.4 has a few very good youtube beginner tutorials.  Is Buster + 2.8.4 still a reliable and recommended install?

A forum search on 7i96s + 2.9 seems mainly to be posts of people with issues getting 2.9 working reliably ...

I'd just like whichever solution is easiest to get up and running reliably!

Thanks

     

I would probably use the latest as a lot of improvements have been made both
in LinuxCNC and the configuration utilities for Mesa cards.

The main issue with the latest ISO is not LinuxCNC specific but that newer
kernels have problems with the Realtek Ethernet driver so it needs to be replaced
with the DKMS version. This issue can be avoided if you have a PC with Intel
Ethernet hardware.

Brilliant, thanks for your help