The 32-bit have their days numbered. It is not known how many they will be, and there is still software that depends on them, but we do know that more and more distributions are waving goodbye. The last to do so was Manjaro, a very popular distribution that is also installed by default on several computers that are sold with Linux, such as the Pinebook from PINE64.
Drop support for 32-bit It is the way. Or so Ubuntu, Fedora or even Linux Mint think so, a distribution that, in its beginnings, stood out for working very well on old computers. A few hours ago, Manjaro announced the same thing, and the reason is that keeping 32-bits alive costs them time that they do not have. In addition, this will allow them to use all that time in the version that is used the most, which is none other than the 64-bit version.
Manjaro now only supports 64-bit
With sad hearts we have to say goodby to @ManjaroLinux 32-bit. # manjaro32 you have ceased due to a lack of time and a hardware failure! More about it in our forums: https://t.co/AGWcd3ULf7 pic.twitter.com/3sO08dKnnX
- Manjaro Linux (@ManjaroLinux) June 30, 2020
With a sad heart we have to say goodbye to @ManjaroLinux 32 bits # manjaro32 has ceased due to lack of time and a hardware failure. More on this in our forums.
If we enter the link provided to us, not really much more information, but they do mention that Arch Linux, the version they are based on, has also dropped support for 32-bit, which is probably the reason for the hardware failure they mention in their tweet.
Philip Mueller says that although they announce it sadly, it is for the better. In addition, they have been maintaining the i686 architecture more than they originally expected, which has been good for their users… until now. From here, the owners of a 32-bit computer will have to look for another alternative, although it must be recognized that, with the passing of the months, this is increasingly difficult.
I have an old laptop from 2007. Its processor works fine with 64-bit, but the fan goes crazy and makes a lot of noise, so I have it working with 32-bit Debian (I don't know why, but with 32-bit I don't know heats up). They're relics already, but Linux still lets you get some use out of those garbage machines;)
Sep, it's a shame. I have a 64bit computer x or x years I used it only with 32 software. If I went to 64bit it was because I needed to run virtual with RH (I no longer had 32 versions a day).
Until then (and as I said, x years) I had lived happily with 4GB. It is impossible to work quietly with that memory when I go to 64. My computer is not UEFI, but BIOS, and it does not support more than 8GB. The "hilarious" thing is that I do the "same" thing in 64bit as I did in 32. And although nothing goes "faster", I need the "double" of ram (xq of course, with the theme that the 32 versions are disappearing , there is no other).