Old Hardware Support

The cluster centers on debates about whether software should continue supporting older hardware, frustrations with dropping support for devices just a few years old, and accusations of planned obsolescence versus practical reasons like developer resources and security.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Hardware
3,474
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#6068
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
2
2008
5
2009
12
2010
47
2011
58
2012
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2013
81
2014
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2015
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2016
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2017
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2018
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2020
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2021
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2022
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2025
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2026
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Keywords

RAM bugsbunnyno.jpg IT ASP.NET e.g RPG BlackBerry VT320 GPU HN hardware old supporting software older obsolete year old computers support os

Sample Comments

josephcsible Jun 22, 2020 View on HN

Why shouldn't old-but-capable hardware be able to run new software?

seiji Sep 10, 2013 View on HN

Stop advancing software because people want to run a seven year old hardware platform?

Naac Mar 26, 2021 View on HN

People aren't using it because it is no longer receiving updates. 2-3 year old hardware should not be considered "old", or obsolete.

Chris2048 Jan 19, 2024 View on HN

Developers have made it clear they are too busy supporting recent hardware, don't have time to support >15yrs old stuff.

Gibbon1 Jan 16, 2016 View on HN

To a certain extent, not supporting old hardware is saving users from themselves.

urbandw311er Aug 17, 2025 View on HN

I feel like it probably would work on older hardware, this very much smacks of forced obsolescence. Just guessing though.

guelo Mar 15, 2018 View on HN

Sorry, there's not enough revenue or developers to support 5-10 year old hardware. As a consumer you should have realized by now that when you buy these appliance computers they will only be supported for a few years. But nothing stops you from continuing to use your hardware with the old software.

precommunicator Nov 28, 2024 View on HN

If it's reused without much changes, why not make it available for older hardware?If it changed enough it won't matter.

wolvoleo Dec 29, 2025 View on HN

Yeah especially as its now a few years' old hardware too.

leowoo91 Dec 21, 2017 View on HN

Can't they just admit they retract support from old OS versions that works best with older hardware?