Linux Drops Support for Aging 486 Chips: What It Means for Users
Linux kernel maintainers are removing support for the 1989 Intel 486 processor, a chip that was discontinued over 15 years ago. Learn how this change impacts users and the long-term future of Linux.
After years of debate, Linux kernel maintainers have made the decision to drop support for the venerable Intel 486 processor in the upcoming kernel version 7.1. This 1989-era chip, which was succeeded by the first Intel Pentium in 1993 and discontinued in 2007, has been a cornerstone of the Linux ecosystem for decades, providing broad hardware compatibility. However, the cost of maintaining support for these aging chips is no longer justifiable.
The move to phase out 486 support is a pragmatic one, as Linus Torvalds and other key Linux contributors have been pushing for this change for several years. Maintaining legacy code for obsolete hardware diverts resources away from driving innovation and improving the Linux kernel for modern systems. As Phoronix reports, further changes to remove 486-related code will follow in subsequent kernel versions, solidifying the Linux community's commitment to this transition.
Source: Ars Technica
