14 DAY TRIAL // Canonical provides 32- and 64-bit images for Ubuntu and it's been like this for a long time, since the first edition that came out in 2004. Now, an Ubuntu contributor is looking to change this by proposing that Canonical drop 32-bit support after the release of 16.04 LTS.
The 32- and 64-bit architectures have not been on equal footing for many years. The majority of people are now using the 64-bit edition, although it's safe to say that 32-bit is not exactly gone. If we take a look at the Steam for Linux hardware survey, we'll notice that Ubuntu 14.04.1 LTS 32-bit is actually occupying the fourth place, which is rather weird. Right now, according to Steam, there are seven times more 64-bit users than 32-bit users, but that's hardly enough for a big change.
One of the problems is that there are quite a few 32-bit applications still in use, although most of them can be run in a 64-bit environment. The situation should improve in the coming years, but this is not the biggest issue right now.
The reason why there still are so many Ubuntu 32-bit users is the hardware. There are still a lot of users that have 32-bit processors and they can't install 64-bit editions on their systems. It's not about the apps, it's about the hardware.
Just 64-bit support for Ubuntu
Now, Michael Larabel from Phoronix has spotted a post made by Bryan Quigley on his website about dropping 32-bit support starting with Ubuntu 16.10. This might not be a bad idea, but it remains to be seen just how many users still rely on that particular Ubuntu edition. This is what he's asking in the short poll he posted on his website.
"I'm considering proposing that Ubuntu 16.04 will be the last release with 32 bit images. If you have a machine that uses a 32 bit install of Ubuntu, please respond to the survey. This should not have any impact if you just run 32 bit applications on a 64 bit install. Want to answer these questions without touching the terminal? Click Settings/Power menu at top right -> 'About This Computer' will list everything you need," says Bryan Quigley.
It's likely that he will try to make the suggestion at the next UDS session, which is scheduled for November, but it's uncertain whether it will get any kind of traction among the developers or in the community.
So, what do you think? Should Canonical stop putting effort into the 32-bit edition of Ubuntu?