Ubuntu MATE is no longer the only official version of Ubuntu to abandon 32-bit support. Ubuntu Budgie 18.10 will also delete 32-bit ISO images allowing a proposed installation of the operating system.
Ubuntu Budgie 18.10, ISO 32-bit bids farewell
The whole Ubuntu universe is slowly moving towards a new stage with the abandonment of the 32-bit. Recently in an article the Ubuntu Mate team announced its intention to abandon its support. This decision will materialize with the launch of Ubuntu Mate 18.10 expected by the end of the year.
A second version of the Linux distribution also takes the same path, Ubuntu Budgie. The change is planned here again at the Ubuntu Budgie 18.10 release.
David Mohammed, Project Manager at Ubuntu Budgie, explained
“We had a successful release for Ubuntu Budgie 18.04 LTS, and we are now focused on planning version 18.10, Similar to the decision made by the Ubuntu team, we decided to focus all our efforts on an image based on the hardware that almost all of you currently use […] Starting with version 18.10, we would like to focus solely on ISO 64-bit.
According to David Mohammed, this evolution will have no impact or at least it will be insufficient. Most Ubuntu Budgie users use 64-bit machines, and those using the 32-bit version of the distribution also have compatible computers.
Of course, the Ubuntu Budgie team will continue to maintain the existing 32-bit installations. Ubuntu pointed out that 32-bit (i386) “packages” will continue to be offered in official repositories for some time.
The Ubuntu Budgie team recommends that those who have no choice but to focus on the latest version of the distribution, Ubuntu Budgie 18.04 LTS. Available in 32-bit, it comes with the long-term support of three years.