Newer Kernel

[bronze orbit]

$ uname -a
Linux ... 6.1.0-27-amd64

Is it possible to install a kernel in LMDE 6 that is version 6.8.1 or newer? If so, how?

[ivory mesa]

easiest way is to enable backports from trixie and upgrade linux package
https://fostips.com/upgrade-kernel-debian-bookworm/?amp=1#rb-Option-1-Upgrade-Kernel-from-Backports-Repository-Official

I'll also tell that you probably don't need a new kernel, this one was released last year and if all your hardware runs fine, it's fine

[bronze orbit]

Thank you for that link there. So why would I be motivated to give LMDE 6 a newer kernel? Here's why:
-LMDE 6 has an older kernel than what is needed to support the newer hardware on a laptop I want to install it on
-Computer freezes, but with some distros that have newer kernels that are at least the minimum supported versions, it works fine
-I like Linux Mint Debian Edition and would like to see if it can run on this laptop

[willow frigate]

Have you considered using Linux Mint 22 which defaults to 6.8 and can even use newer should you desire?

Linux Mint has a few more nicities like driver manager, newer kernels, and many PPAs and proprietary packages available that aren't available for Debian. It's probably more fit for your purpose

[ivory mesa]

if you get it solved, mark as solved

[bronze orbit]

Haven't tried it yet, guess I could. I don't think I like ubuntu for a handful of my own reasons, and would love to see Mint be based on Debian alone, with the ability to run a newer kernel.
I wonder why LMDE cannot run a newer kernel? Or can it? Just curious about that

[ivory mesa]

because Debian doesn't easily release optional newer kernels like Ubuntu does

[bronze orbit]

I plan to mark this as solved soon, just want to try out the kernel update instructions that you provided first : )
But I have to figure out dual booting & grub so I can try it out...