Ubuntu 26.04 lts resolute raccoon demands more from users

Canonical's latest Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Resolute Raccoon may have turned the tables for those fed up with Microsoft, Windows, and their respective system requirements.

Ubuntu's amiable face gets a reboot

For years, Ubuntu has been the friendly face of Linux, especially for those who wanted to breathe new life into aging hardware that no longer supported the latest Windows innovations. However, with the new base version, things are about to change.

According to the release notes, the system now recommends at least 6 GB of RAM for the desktop, along with a dual-core processor of 2 GHz and 25 GB of storage. This is a significant blow to those PCs that still managed to function smoothly for lighter tasks with 4 GB or even 2 GB of RAM.

Windows 11 has been gradually phasing out old kernel drivers and will eventually put an end to the cross-signing that Ubuntu relied on. Ubuntu's amicable SO is thus saying goodbye to being the go-to option for those no longer wanted by others.

This isn't the first time Ubuntu has raised the bar. Ubuntu 14.04 LTS could run with 1 GB of RAM, while Ubuntu 18.04 LTS needed 4 GB. Many users converted Ubuntu into a lifeline for old laptops and mini PCs, even making them function with 4 GB. Now, with a minimum of 6 GB, the distro is moving away from its lightweight image.

But here's the curious part: all this change isn't because the Ubuntu system has become heavier; it's simply due to how users now use their PCs. With many more tabs open in the browser, web apps, basic editing, email, chats, and more, all consuming significantly more memory than we expect.

Ubuntu 26.04 is thus putting an end to misleading users about the smooth experience they can expect with 4 GB. Compared to Windows 11, which officially requires only 4 GB of RAM (though 8 GB is highly recommended), Ubuntu 26.04 sits right in the middle and demands more than the minimum for Windows but aligns with the idea that minimal specs won't provide a truly usable experience.

If you now have a PC considered outdated even by Linux standards, don't worry; you can still install Ubuntu 26.04, but be prepared for a subpar experience. The system won't crash with less than 6 GB, but it will make it clear that the recommended specs are no longer the bare minimum, but rather what's thought necessary for a good experience.

Of course, this doesn't mean Lubuntu, Xubuntu, and other variants that cater to older hardware with 2 GB or 4 GB are no longer options. They'll continue to be the perfect landing spot for your ancient PC.

Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, has already expressed doubts about the stability of Linux 7.0, stating,