It’s Official: Ubuntu Is Dropping 32-bit Desktop Builds

Yes, It is true that Ubuntu has decided to drop 32-bit desktop images for upcoming Ubuntu 17.10  Artful Aardvark release.  It is a result of ongoing discussion in Ubuntu development process, which argued that there is no point in continuing to build i368 images.  Canonical’s Dimitri John Ledkov has told the Ubuntu Release Team to remove “Ubuntu Desktop i386 daily-live images from the release manifest for Beta and Final milestones of 17.10.” As a result,

Ubuntu 17.10 Will Drop The 32-bit Desktop ISO

Canonical’s Dimitri John Ledkov has told the Ubuntu Release Team to remove “Ubuntu Desktop i386 daily-live images from the release manifest for Beta and Final milestones of 17.10.” As a result, Ubuntu-desktop-i386.iso won’t be shipping.

This message is a follow-up of an earlier discussion in May, in which Ledkov wrote that 32-bit architecture is changing and it’s no longer the default or widely used design on traditional form factors like desktop, laptop, and rack servers.

It was proposed that while i386 images should continue to ship for core, container, netinst, etc., they should be scrapped for Server and Desktop.

In case you’re wondering, this change, currently, only affects the flagship Ubuntu Desktop version, which now ships with GNOME desktop environment. Other Ubuntu flavors like Lubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Xubuntu, etc., haven’t announced any related plans. It won’t be surprising if these lightweight flavors continue to ship 32-bit images in future as well.

What are your thoughts on this recent Ubuntu development? Are you still running a 32-bit architecture machine? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in comments below