- Ubuntu raises RAM expectations during ongoing global memory shortages
- New requirement reflects modern software demands rather than system inefficiency
- Older hardware struggles as baseline memory expectations continue rising
Canonical has quietly raised the minimum RAM requirement for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS by 50%, now requiring at least 6GB of memory alongside a dual-core 2GHz CPU and 25GB of storage.
The timing of this change could hardly be worse, as global component shortages continue to drive memory prices higher and limit availability for PC builders and upgraders.
The last time Ubuntu increased its minimum RAM requirements was in 2018, when Ubuntu 18.04 LTS required 4GB instead of 1GB.
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What the new requirement actually means for users
Ubuntu experts at OMG Ubuntu characterized this revision as “an honesty bump” rather than a genuine increase in system demands.
The core operating system is not more resource-hungry than previous versions, but Canonical recognizes that modern workflows require more memory.
The latest GNOME desktop environment, current web browsers, and typical multitasking patterns do not perform well on systems with only 4GB of RAM.
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS will still install on machines that do not meet the new specification, but users should expect poor performance on lower-memory configurations.
OMG Ubuntu tested the beta version on a laptop with only 2GB of RAM and found it functional but noticeably slow.
The RAM market is currently experiencing what many have called a “RAMpocalypse,” with shortages affecting availability and driving prices upward.
For users who would have installed Ubuntu LTS on machines limited to 4GB of RAM, the timing of this change adds frustration to an already difficult situation.
No one likes to see minimum system specifications rise, especially during component shortages that directly affect potential upgrades.
Users with memory-constrained systems now have to consider lighter alternatives, even within the Ubuntu ecosystem.
Lubuntu, a lightweight and efficient distillation of Ubuntu, requires only 1GB of RAM along with a 1GHz CPU and less than 10GB of storage.
The current version of Lubuntu is available up to 24.04 LTS, and that release remains supported for several years.
Other Linux distros that cater to low-memory systems also provide viable options for users who cannot meet Ubuntu’s new 6GB requirement.
Higher memory requirements across operating systems reflect changing software expectations, not poor planning by any single company.
The real losers here are users with older hardware who now face either sluggish performance or the hassle of switching to a less familiar distribution, while global memory prices continue to climb.
Via Tom’s Hardware
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