Ubuntu 26.04 LTS now recommends 6 GB of RAM for a comfortable desktop experience, a significant increase from the 4 GB baseline set in 2018. The release note confirms this change reflects modern workloads, driven by the updated GNOME desktop and current web browsers like Firefox, which demand more memory during multitasking. While 6 GB is not a hard requirement - systems with 2 GB still function albeit slowly - this shift marks the first major memory upgrade since 2018. Canonical cites the need to support contemporary applications as the primary driver, not core OS bloat. 25 GB of storage remains mandatory for the desktop edition.

For users with lower-end hardware, lighter alternatives like Lubuntu or Linux Lite remain viable options. Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, code-named Resolute Raccoon, is scheduled for release on April 23.