# The chip was introduced in 1989, was replaced by the first Intel Pentium in 1993.

*business · news · 2026-04-07 · Ars Technica*

## Key points

- Linux kernel version 7.1 will be the first to drop official Intel 80486 support.
- Subsequent kernel versions will continue removing 486-related code beyond version 7.1.
- Dropping 486 support will also affect compatible chips like Cyrix 5×86 and AMD Am5x86.
- Tiny Core Linux is one of the few distros that still explicitly supports 486 processors.

**Companies:** AMD

[Read the full story on Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/04/linux-kernel-maintainers-are-following-through-on-removing-intel-486-support/)

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Canonical: https://newsio.io/n/bb416416-fe25-4a80-92ad-32bb8718fa1f/the-chip-was-introduced-in-1989-was-replaced-by-the-first-intel-pentium-in-1993
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