32-Bit Mint

[brucechidester]

It appears that Mint is abandoning 32-bit distributions. I would like the team to consider continuing to release 32-bit versions of Mint.

• I still find that 32-bit Linux support is still better than 64-bit

• When creating a development environment that targets a 32-bit solution (like Beaglebone), 64-bit is not really an option

Can someone confirm that Mint will never release another 32-bit solution or not?

[karlchen]

Linux Mint 18.x / 19.x / 20.x are based on Ubuntu.
Ubuntu has discontinued 32-bit editions. Ubuntu 20.x is only available as 64-bit edition.
As a consequence, Mint 19.3 is the very last Ubuntu based release, which comes as 32-bit edition and as 64-bit edition.
Starting with Mint 20, there are and will only be 64-bit editions.

Linux Mint Debian Edition, LMDE4, however, is based on Debian.
LMDE4 is available as 32-bit edition and as 64-bit edition.
It depends on Debian, for how long they will go on offering Debian as 32-bit edition and as 64-bit edition.
As long as Debian offers both, the Mint developers might go on offering LMDE as 32-bit and as 64-bit as well.

Cf. Linux Mint Releases

[Termy]

If it's of any interest at all, here on Ubuntu 18.04, I'm able to find 213 libraries for 32-Bit support, based on:

Code: Select all

apt-cache search '' | grep -i '32bit' | wc -l

The kernel itself does support 32-Bit systems, so if you're knowledgable of this stuff, you could compile the kernel yourself with 32-Bit support, but of course, that comes with its own set of things to consider — see here.

[Hoser Rob]

... ]I still find that 32-bit Linux support is still better than 64-bit...

How can that be when 32 bit Linux support is falling away so fast? It's not going to get any better, for Mint or any other distro.

[Pierre]

most computer manufacturers Stopped making 32bit PCs nearly Twenty Years ago

so, it very unlikely that your machine is actually using an 32bit CPU . .

thus, you should, all other things being okay, still be able to utilise an 64bit LinuxMint System.

[karlchen]

It is simple to find out whether a machine, running Linux Mint, is ready for 64-bit software.
Execute the commandline inxi -C
It will look similar to this:

Code: Select all

$ inxi -C
CPU:       Info: Quad Core model: Intel Core i5-8265U bits: 64 type: MT MCP cache: L2: 6 MiB 
           Speed: 800 MHz min/max: 400/3900 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 800 2: 800 3: 800 4: 800 5: 800 6: 800 7: 800 8: 801

In the first line of the output, you will read the word bits: and a number following it, 64 for 64-bit, 32 for 32-bit. This number tells you whether your CPU is a 64-bit or a 32-bit CPU really. This "bits: no" field will tell you 64, if your CPU is a 64-bit CPU, even in case you run 32-bit Mint only.

[Termy]

You can often use the command arch to show the architecture type, as well. A 64-Bit machine will show x86_64, for example.

[JesseRBassett]

I was shocked to find out Windows10 ISOs run in 32 bit mode! That is weird to me...especially with Linux distros not following suit...

[DAMIEN1307]

I was shocked to find out Windows10 ISOs run in 32 bit mode! That is weird to me...especially with Linux distros not following suit...

I wouldn't be so "shocked"...Win 10 came out in 2015 when everyone was still supporting 32 bit...im willing to bet that their new Win 11 doesn't support 32 bit whatsoever...DAMIEN

[motoryzen]

I was shocked to find out Windows10 ISOs run in 32 bit mode! That is weird to me...especially with Linux distros not following suit...

I wouldn't be so "shocked"...Win 10 came out in 2015 when everyone was still supporting 32 bit...im willing to bet that their new Win 11 doesn't support 32 bit whatsoever...DAMIEN

I wonder when 128bit applications will finally become a thing xD

[Petermint]

128? An operating system based on a GPU could run 256 bit or 512 bit.

Raspberry Pi OS is Debian 32 bit for backward compatibility with their older chips. It still works on their 256 MB devices. Their 1 GB model made an excellent netbook. The latest model is only 4 GB so still does not need 64 bit.

Unfortunately you cannot fit an NVMe disk on the Pi motherboard as the motherboard is too small. I only just managed to squeeze an mSATA SSD in the motherboard space.

[Termy]

Unfortunately you cannot fit an NVMe disk on the Pi motherboard as the motherboard is too small. I only just managed to squeeze an mSATA SSD in the motherboard space.

What about via USB?

[Petermint]

The Pi device and mSATA both fit the same tiny case. NVMe drives are too long for the case. They are also too fast to waste on the limited Pi USB speed.