While browsing the web I came across a rather discouraging news itemThis has really made me think, since I've been using Linux-based distributions for years (mostly Arch Linux, Fedora, and Ubuntu), and for a long time, I've always seen Ubuntu as that ultimate lifeline that rescued computers destined for the trash. However, the upcoming 26.04 LTS version, nicknamed "Resolute Raccoon," scheduled for release on April 23rd, has made me reconsider this perspective.
For the first time since 2019, Canonical has decided to raise the minimum memory requirements, now requiring 6 GB of RAM for its main desktop edition, accompanied by a 2 GHz dual-core processor and 25 GB of disk space. At first glance, this figure scared me and feels like a direct exclusion for those who still rely on entry-level equipment, but upon closer examination, I think we are facing a brutal blow to the current technological reality.
If we look back, It's almost nostalgic to remember when Ubuntu 14.04 only required 1 GB of memory...or the big jump to 4 GB with version 18.04. Seeing the 6 GB now required, it's tempting and very easy to blame the GNOME desktop environment for being overloaded, but from my point of view, the real problem lies in what we do within the operating system.
El The real burden that chokes our computers today does not come from the system. operational itself, but rather the network and the tools that we consider basic. We have become accustomed to keeping web browsers open that consume entire gigabytes of memory with only a few active tabs.
Added to this are messaging apps, image editors, and music platforms, which are essentially just encapsulated browsers running in the background. The 6 GB that Canonical now requires is not a toll to make the desktop look nice, but a safety net. essential so that you can have your email, your work environment and your tools open simultaneously without the computer crashing due to lack of resources.
Despite understanding the technical justification, I cannot deny the bitter taste this measure leaves.This is especially concerning given the current historical moment, as we find ourselves in the midst of a technological bubble fueled by the artificial intelligence craze, which has led to a dramatic increase in the price of memory modules and solid-state storage. Devices we once considered affordable have doubled or tripled in value.
In this financial climate, telling a user that their entry-level laptop with 4GB of RAM is no longer suitable for the main version of Ubuntu It feels like a painful exclusion.It is a frustrating reminder that technological progress inevitably generates a layer of obsolescence and electronic waste, forcing software to advance hand in hand with the latest hardware in order not to get stuck in the past.
Interestingly, Canonical leaves Ubuntu in a peculiar position when compared to Windows 11Microsoft's operating system officially specifies a minimum of 4 GB of RAM and a 1 GHz processor. At first glance, the advertising campaign might lead you to believe that Windows is now lighter than Linux, but the reality is that this is only partially true. Running Windows 11 with 4 GB of memory is a painful, slow, and patience-testing experience, similar to trying to play a video game at ten frames per second.
Ubuntu's 6 GB isn't a physical barrier; it simply provides us with a figure to work comfortably, while Microsoft sells us the bare minimum to turn on the screen.
Fortunately, quThe fact that the main edition of Ubuntu has raised its requirements doesn't mean we're facing a dead end. For modest hardware. If you're limited to 4GB of RAM and can't avoid generating electronic waste by buying a new computer, the community continues to offer wonderful alternatives. In my experience, the best option is to switch to variants that use desktop environments like LXDE, XFCE, or MATE. And why not consider desktop environments like i3, IceWM, Openbox, Sway, and others?
In the end, open source still has its variety and we simply have to accept that the luxury version of the desktop is no longer for every computer.