Waterfox: 32-bit support (hear me out)

[Fierelier]

I read up on the roots of this browser, I know this is supposed to be a pure 64-bit kind of deal, but...

I really think this browser could have an important role for older devices with low memory and weak CPUs. Waterfox Current is quite a modern fork of Firefox, though it still lets you disable e10s (a feature I much appreciate), which saves a butt-load of memory and makes CPU prioritization much simpler. And because the browser is based on modern pinnings, it runs quite fast. There's nothing quite like it out there, and I was crushed to find out about this caveat.

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[Ibuprophen]

I feel the pain my friend as I currently have an open issue https://github.com/MrAlex94/Waterfox/issues/730 regarding this specific topic for around 2 years...

~Ibuprophen

[asdf2345]

I read up on the roots of this browser, I know this is supposed to be a pure 64-bit kind of deal, but...

I really think this browser could have an important role for older devices with low memory and weak CPUs. Waterfox Current is quite a modern fork of Firefox, though it still lets you disable e10s (a feature I much appreciate), which saves a butt-load of memory and makes CPU prioritization much simpler. And because the browser is based on modern pinnings, it runs quite fast. There's nothing quite like it out there, and I was crushed to find out about this caveat.

If you have a system that can't run a x64 OS, you really should upgrade. Even the Pentium 4 can do 64-bit.

[Fierelier]

@Ibuprophen :+1:

@asdf2345 That is not correct. Pentium 4s are 32bit, in fact, I think all Intel CPUs were, until the Intel Core 2 Duo changed that, with the original Intel Core Duo line still being 32bit, even. Also, I'm personally really against the "just upgrade" advice, these systems are more viable than you might realize, and this browser would make them even more viable thanks to the great render speed, even on software.

[hawkeye116477]

The first Pentium 4-branded processor to implement 64-bit was the Prescott (90 nm) (February 2004), but this feature was not enabled. Intel subsequently began selling 64-bit Pentium 4s using the "E0" revision of the Prescotts, being sold on the OEM market as the Pentium 4, model F.

http://www.cpu-world.com/sspec/SL/SL8J6.html

[Fierelier]

Good to know, the Pentium 4 line sure is confusing.

[asdf2345]

@Ibuprophen +1

@asdf2345 That is not correct. Pentium 4s are 32bit, in fact, I think all Intel CPUs were, until the Intel Core 2 Duo changed that, with the original Intel Core Duo line still being 32bit, even. Also, I'm personally really against the "just upgrade" advice, these systems are more viable than you might realize, and this browser would make them even more viable thanks to the great render speed, even on software.

90% Certain I was able to install Vista x64 on a Pentium 4.

I really think this browser could have an important role for older devices with low memory and weak CPUs. Waterfox Current is quite a modern fork of Firefox, though it still lets you disable e10s (a feature I much appreciate), which saves a butt-load of memory and makes CPU prioritization much simpler. And because the browser is based on modern pinnings, it runs quite fast. There's nothing quite like it out there, and I was crushed to find out about this caveat.

I think what you want would be something like basilisk55/serpent55. Just Ctrl + F for basilisk55, and you'll find it.

[Ibuprophen]

My deepest apologies as I was under the impression that this was referring to the 32-bit Android OS.

:-((

~Ibuprophen

[Fierelier]

90% Certain I was able to install Vista x64 on a Pentium 4.

I have already acknowledged that some Pentium 4s are indeed 64-bit.

I think what you want would be something like basilisk55/serpent55. Just Ctrl + F for basilisk55, and you'll find it.

Thank you, that's cool. I'll check it out.

[MrAlex94]

I can appreciate your points, unfortunately it's not likely to happen. It would require pushing out even more builds and introduces a set of it's own problems. The ask is too much for how many people would actually use it.