Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel, is considering dropping support for the Intel 486 processor. The move will last long after most users have moved on to the new processor architecture.
Torvalds: 486 Chips “Museum Pieces”
In a message to the Linux Kernel Mailing List, the main focus of Linux kernel development, Torvalds said that despite small pockets of use, he considered the 486 architecture obsolete.
“I really don’t think i486 class hardware is relevant anymore,” Torvalds wrote.
If Torvalds’ response is any indication kernel development will focus more on modern hardware in the future.
Torvalds seems insensitive about hardware. The kernel development team had already dropped support for 486’s predecessor, 386, which was used by Torvalds himself to write his original kernel. “At some point, people keep them as museum pieces,” he said. “They can even run museum kernels.”
Still some 486 Linux holdouts
The Intel i486 architecture was introduced in 1989, two years before Linus Torvalds announced his kernel. The 486 was the high-end standard-bearer for PCs until the introduction of the Pentium in 1993. While the Pentium replaced the 486 in PCs in the mid-1990s, it remained popular in embedded systems.
Intel seems to have moved on as well, discontinuing the 486 in 2007. Despite this, there are still some obstacles. Some Linux distros such as Tiny Core Linux support 486 as a minimum requirement. The capabilities of Linux on such older hardware are limited compared to what is possible on newer architectures.
It’s also possible to get new 486-based hardware. Taiwan-based DMP Electronics produces the Vortex 86 line of system-on-a-chip (SoC) processors for embedded use based on the 486 architecture.
Where Will Linux 486 Users Go?
With Torvalds hinting that Linux’s days on the 486 may be numbered, what will the remaining users do? They have a few options in terms of open-source operating systems.
Those who still want a Unix-like operating system on their machines can still use NetBSD. NetBSD is known for supporting older, out-of-production systems, including Digital Equipment Corporation’s VAX line of minicomputers. “Of course, it runs NetBSD” is the project’s motto.
There is also FreeDOS, a clone of MS-DOS which runs on 486. Both of these OS will probably be popular choices for embedded development.
Apparently, some chips are too old for Linux
While users claim the ability to run Linux on older computers, there are limits to how far this will go. Lightweight Linux distributions are still popular for reviving older PCs that no longer receive OS updates from Microsoft but are not so old as for 486 processors.
Lots of people prefer to use Linux on older machines. The reasons for doing this obviously vary from person to person. Some want to save money by not upgrading to a new computer, while others want to avoid e-waste. And yes, you will also find many people who think that running Linux is fun.
If you’re having a hard time finding a solid excuse, we’ve listed a variety of reasons why you should consider installing Linux on your old computer.
1. Lightweight Distros Work Well on Older Machines
Linux is popular on older machines because minimal distros like Ubuntu Edition Xubuntu run great on PCs with low memory and processor power when modern Windows versions struggle to do so on aging hardware.
While the last few Windows versions have changed little in terms of system requirements, Windows 11 has higher memory requirements and requires a TPM module in the CPU. While most computers sold over the past few years meet the requirements, and it is possible to circumvent the TPM module requirement, there are plenty of PCs that may not be able to upgrade.
While Microsoft will support Windows 10 until 2025, what happens to people who want to hang onto their machines? Then there will likely be a struggle for newer systems, as we saw with the end of Windows XP and Windows 7 support. This brings us down to the next reason.
2. Linux supports machines that Apple and Microsoft do not
While Microsoft has offered long-term support for Windows machines, there comes a point where users must upgrade or replace the system entirely. On the other hand, Apple also wants its customers to pay for new machines as a hardware company.
Because Linux support is more about community than business concerns, Linux distros tend to support older machines for as long as possible.
3. Use Linux Machines as Secondary Computers
Even if you move to more powerful computers, it’s always nice to be able to use something from your old machines. The old machine running Linux is perfectly adequate for simple web surfing or email tasks.