Graphics, audio and drivers on Linux

In short: On Linux graphics is handled by Mesa (AMD, Intel) and the NVIDIA drivers, audio by PipeWire. Most devices work immediately because drivers are in the kernel.

In more detail: The graphics stack has several layers: kernel driver (DRM/KMS), Mesa (OpenGL, Vulkan) and the compositor, see X11 and Wayland.

In detail

• AMD and Intel: open drivers in the kernel and in Mesa, nothing extra needed. Vulkan via RADV (AMD) and ANV (Intel).
• NVIDIA: proprietary driver (now with open kernel modules) or the free Nouveau (slower). Installation on Ubuntu: ubuntu-drivers install. With Wayland and hybrid laptops (Optimus) watch for current drivers.
• Check: glxinfo -B, vulkaninfo --summary, lspci -k (shows driver per device).
• Audio: ALSA (kernel), PulseAudio (old) and PipeWire (standard today) for sound, microphone, Bluetooth and screen sharing. Control with wpctl, pavucontrol.
• Bluetooth: BlueZ.
• Printers and scanners: CUPS and SANE, many devices work driverless (IPP).
• Firmware: linux-firmware, often needed for Wi-Fi cards.
• New hardware: a newer kernel helps, see Kernel versions and release cycle.

See also: Kernel modules and drivers, Linux desktop environments at a glance