Episode 6:12: It's All About the Pentiums

Episode 6:12: It's All About the Pentiums

From Linux User Space by Linux User Space

April 13, 2026 · 1h 14m · Season 6

About this episode

The episode discusses the end of i486 support in the Linux kernel, increased RAM requirements for Ubuntu, Firefox's VPN issues, and rising Raspberry Pi prices.

Coming up in this episode The Ends of an Era A Leaky Firefox RAM is Affordable Now?! 0:00 Cold Open 1:36 Ends of an Era 32:30 A Leaky Firefox 48:47 A Slight RAM Reprieve? 1:04:51 Two Notes & Next Time 1:13:30 Stinger Today in User Space we dive into the wonderful world of nostalgia again as we find out that the 486 architecture will soon be dropped from the Linux kernel. Luckily the very first Pentium (with MMX!) is still in-tree, but for how much longer? We also find out that Ubuntu is raising their minimum RAM requirement to 6GB from 4. Honestly, it's about time. Then, some bittersweet news. Leo finally gets to play around with the Firefox built-in VPN, but Dan still hasn't seen it. What we found out, though, is that Firefox will happily leak your real IP address with WebRTC. Does this defeat the purpose?! Lastly, we try to guess what's going to happen next with RAM prices. They seem to have hit their peak, but will they really come tumbling down? At least for Raspberry Pi, that's not the case as price rises across the entire line are happening. The Pi 5 16GB is a jaw dropping $300! We also respond to a couple of comments. The Video Version https://youtu.be/g41J6B8KsBQ…

People in this episode

Hosts: Leo, Dan

Topics covered

  • Linux kernel changes
  • RAM requirements
  • Firefox VPN
  • WebRTC IP leakage
  • Raspberry Pi pricing
  • Nostalgia in technology

Keywords

  • Linux kernel
  • Ubuntu
  • Firefox
  • RAM
  • Raspberry Pi
  • WebRTC
  • Pentium

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ubuntu, Firefox

Products: Pentium, Raspberry Pi

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