Is really the end for 32-bit?

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since2019
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Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by since2019 »

Hello
History: The amazing Linux, working many architectures like x86, ARM, MIPS, Power PC, Sparc and others. Also known as an old computer refresh.
Ubuntu 16.04.6 LTS (Xenial Xerus) was the last 32-bit distro.
Plan and build selected 32-bit i386 packages for Ubuntu 19.10 Eoan Ermine and 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa. Libreoffice drops 32-bit support too.

(Origin, based) Debian 10 buster/sid - Ubuntu 18.04 LTS Bionic Beaver - Mint 19.3 Tricia is going to be the last 32-bit?
there are plenty 32-bit computers in many countries.

Latest Windows still supports 32-bit versions!.
Is going to be discontinued in the future.
Definitely but not for many years. There's still a huge amount of 32-bit hardware.
Can you recommend some other 32-bit distro?
Last edited by since2019 on Tue Mar 24, 2020 3:38 pm, edited 16 times in total.
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Kadaitcha Man
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by Kadaitcha Man »

since2019 wrote: ↑
Sun Feb 23, 2020 11:24 pm
 manjaro? mxlinux? kali?
Did google not return any results?

There are a myriad reviews of 32bit Linux distros out there.
It's pronounced kad-eye-cha, not kada-itcha.
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all41
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by all41 »

Someday perhaps we will be asking the same questions regarding 64bit
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Kadaitcha Man
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by Kadaitcha Man »

all41 wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 24, 2020 12:39 am
 Someday perhaps we will be asking the same questions regarding 64bit
Yes, but we'll regress by 59 bits and go down to 5 qubits.
It's pronounced kad-eye-cha, not kada-itcha.
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I2k4
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by I2k4 »

My old laptop and netbook both shipped with 32 bit Windows, and for years I thought they were limited to 32 bit Ubuntu / Mint. They are not. Both PCs installed and are running 64 bit Mint 19.x without any special configuration for that, and third party software I use that requires 64 bit systems can now run on them. I suggest creating a persistent live USB with a 64 bit distro, and testing it thoroughly for a few weeks - might be surprised.

It's abandonment by third party software that's going to terminate 32 bit. As Windows Ballmer taught the world: "Developers! Developers! Developers!" ... or else forget it.
Last edited by I2k4 on Wed Feb 26, 2020 7:02 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by pbear »

I2k4 wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:30 am
 ... for years I thought they were limited to 32 bit
The relevant question is the hardware. Do they still run? What does inxi say, 32 bit or 64 bit?
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by NuBz »

since2019 wrote: ↑
Sun Feb 23, 2020 11:24 pm
 Hello

debian 10 buster/sid - ubuntu 18.04 lts bionic beaver - mint 19.3 tricia is going to be the last 32-bit?

i know is because the ubuntu version the issue, but they say they will support "some" 32-bit

there are plenty 32-bit computers and more in "third world" countries.

Can you recommend some other 32-bit distro?
manjaro? mxlinux? kali?
I seriously doubt that any cedible source told you that Debian is ending 32bit support.
Unless I am misunderstanding you which then by all means please correct me.
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back to xp
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by back to xp »

there are plenty of windows 10 32 bit applications out there; so why the hell would this toyboy school boy project insist on making it all 64
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by Pjotr »

back to xp wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 24, 2020 6:30 pm
 why the hell would this toyboy school boy project insist on making it all 64
Well, back to xp then? Off you go, laddy. :lol:
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by pbear »

back to xp wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 24, 2020 6:30 pm
 ... 32 bit applications
i386 architecture is installed by default in the 64 bit versions of Ubuntu/Mint, where it's considered a foreign architecture. I'd expect that to continue.
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by Petermint »

The lowest spec computer I have used is a Raspberry Pi and they went 64 bit on their new models some years ago. Their distribution of Linux is 32 bit for backward compatibility with the early models carved out of balsa wood using flint axes.
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by Hoser Rob »

There will be 32 bit Linux .as long as there are 32 bit kernels. Those aren't going to last forever. Linux Torvalds would wholeheartedly support that, and the Linux Kernel Project doesn't give a tinker's damn about keepiing old hardware going.
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by Leminway »

R u kidding ? Of course Mint is the best distro for 32 bits too ! I once installed Manjaro 32 bits, but it was full of bugs! No longer updated etc...
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by since2019 »

It is a shame, with the 2020 there is no more updates for Mint 32-bit and Libreoffice 32-bit too.
I know that the thing started with Ubuntu team, no more 32-bit support since 2016.
Debian continues 32-bit at the moment (1Q 2020), i don't know later.
Some team really needs to continue developing 32-bit at list one (1) Distro of Linux for many years more.
A printer fail started with the creation of the open source and linux, is some of the issues with technology since decades.
2007 laptop Core Duo 1.73GHz, Intel GMA950, Linux mint 19.3 32-bit. Provide real help of course if you really want to help.
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by Gruncher1010 »

I2k4 wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:30 am
 My old laptop and netbook both shipped with 32 bit Windows, and for years I thought they were limited to 32 bit Ubuntu / Mint. They are not. Both PCs installed and are running 64 bit Mint 19.x without any special configuration for that, and third party software I use that requires 64 bit systems can now run on them. I suggest creating a persistent live USB with a 64 bit distro, and testing it thoroughly for a few weeks - might be surprised.

It's abandonment by third party software that's going to terminate 32 bit. As Windows Ballmer taught the world: "Developers! Developers! Developers!" ... or else forget it.
It depends on your CPU.
Certain Pentium 4 HT have the AMD64 instruction set.
Next came the Core architecture, so you had the Core Duo from Intel. Most of the models had AMD64 with a few being only IA32 instruction set.
Next came Core2 Duo and Core2 Quad. These all had AMD64.
On the AMD side of things, there is no confusion. They named their CPU Athlon 64 and starting from that point, they all had AMD64 instruction set.
Note: When I say that something has the AMD64 instruction, it also has the IA32 instruction set.

There is no reason to not use a 64 bit OS these days. You will definitely need 8 GB RAM and more.
For the apps, these can be 32 bit since quite a lot of apps don't use GB of RAM.
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by pbear »

since2019 wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 23, 2020 11:14 pm
 Some team really needs to continue developing 32-bit at list one (1) Distro of Linux for many years more.
Finally got around to looking at antiX the other day. (Been on the round tuit list for a year.) Really nice low weight distro. Sensibly composed and one of the best "manuals" I've seen in Linux (their FAQ). Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but I expect they'll be around as long as they can scrounge parts.
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by Petermint »

My first Intel computer was 4 bit. Debian does not support 4 bit anymore. :shock:
Although I did build something earlier using stacked 1 bit technology. Do you think you can get 1 bit Linux anymore? :(
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by missmoondog »

pbear wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 24, 2020 2:57 am
since2019 wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 23, 2020 11:14 pm
 Some team really needs to continue developing 32-bit at list one (1) Distro of Linux for many years more.
Finally got around to looking at antiX the other day. (Been on the round tuit list for a year.) Really nice low weight distro. Sensibly composed and one of the best "manuals" I've seen in Linux (their FAQ). Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but I expect they'll be around as long as they can scrounge parts.
i tried that antix a while back. had one of the weirdest installers i've ever used! system ran great once i got it installed though.
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by Petermint »

https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/pixel-pc-mac/
Because we’re using the venerable i386 architecture variant it should run even on vintage machines like my ThinkPad X40, provided they have at least 512MB of RAM.
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Re: Is really the end for 32-bit?

Post by Minux1 »

End for 32 bit Linux ? ... no, not really :D
Switched my 32 bit only Acer netbook to MX-LINUX ... faster ... no bugs to fix :mrgreen:
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