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| 1 | +# Ubuntu platform reference table |
| 2 | +Ubuntu is available on multiple platforms. Relevant features, use cases, and documentation are summarised below. |
| 3 | + |
| 4 | +> **Universal features (apply to *all* Ubuntu editions below)** |
| 5 | +> |
| 6 | +> - **Long-Term Support (LTS)** releases every two years, maintained for **5 years** (extendable to 10 years with Ubuntu Pro). |
| 7 | +> - Common **security-update infrastructure** (Livepatch, ESM, unattended-upgrades, CVE tracker). |
| 8 | +> - Access to the **Snap** packaging ecosystem alongside traditional **.deb** packages where relevant. |
| 9 | +> - A predictable release cadence (interim releases every six months). |
| 10 | +> - Optional enterprise support with **Ubuntu Pro**. |
| 11 | +
|
| 12 | +| **Name** | **Target platform** | **Features** | **Docs / links** | **Example use-cases** | |
| 13 | +|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| |
| 14 | +| **Ubuntu Desktop** | Personal computers (laptops, desktops) | <ul><li>GNOME-based GUI by default</li><li>Optimised for everyday computing</li><li>Extensive range of desktop applications</li></ul> | <ul><li>[ubuntu.com/desktop](https://ubuntu.com/desktop)</li></ul> | <ul><li>General-purpose personal computing</li><li>Office productivity, browsing, media consumption</li></ul> | |
| 15 | +| **Ubuntu Server** | Physical or virtual servers, HPC clusters | <ul><li>No GUI installed by default</li><li>Security-hardened, stable platform</li><li>Headless and cloud-friendly</li></ul> | <ul><li>[ubuntu.com/server](https://ubuntu.com/server)</li><li>[documentation.ubuntu.com/server](https://documentation.ubuntu.com/server/)</li></ul> | <ul><li>Hosting web services & databases</li><li>Infrastructure / DevOps automation</li></ul> | |
| 16 | +| **Ubuntu Cloud** | Public, private, multi & hybrid clouds | <ul><li>Pre-built cloud images</li><li>Optimised for fast boot and scale-out</li><li>Cloud-init for first-boot configuration</li></ul> | <ul><li>[ubuntu.com/cloud](https://ubuntu.com/cloud)</li></ul> | <ul><li>Rapid VM provisioning on AWS/Azure/GCP</li><li>Large-scale automated IaaS (OpenStack, MAAS)</li></ul> | |
| 17 | +| **Ubuntu Core** | IoT devices, embedded systems, robotics | <ul><li>Fully snap-based, immutable OS</li><li>Atomic over-the-air updates</li><li>Small footprint & secure boot</li></ul> | <ul><li>[ubuntu.com/core](https://ubuntu.com/core)</li><li>[ubuntu.com/core/docs](https://ubuntu.com/core/docs)</li></ul> | <ul><li>Industrial controllers & gateways</li><li>Smart appliances, kiosks, edge computing</li><li>Robotics platforms</li></ul> | |
| 18 | +| **Ubuntu on WSL** | Windows 10/11 via Windows Subsystem for Linux | <ul><li>Ubuntu userspace inside Windows</li><li>Native command-line tools</li><li>Seamless file-system & networking integration</li></ul> | <ul><li>[ubuntu.com/wsl](https://ubuntu.com/wsl)</li><li>[documentation.ubuntu.com/wsl](https://documentation.ubuntu.com/wsl/en/stable/)</li></ul> | <ul><li>Software development on Windows with Linux toolchains</li><li>Cross-platform scripting & testing</li></ul> | |
| 19 | +| **Ubuntu Pro** | Enterprise & regulated environments | <ul><li>Extended Security Maintenance (10 years)</li><li>FIPS 140-2, CIS, DISA-STIG hardening</li><li>Kernel Livepatch and compliance tooling</li></ul> | <ul><li>[ubuntu.com/pro](https://ubuntu.com/pro)</li><li>[documentation.ubuntu.com/pro](https://documentation.ubuntu.com/pro/)</li></ul> | <ul><li>Finance, healthcare, government deployments</li><li>Long-term, secure production fleets</li></ul> | |
| 20 | +| **Real-time Ubuntu** | Robotics, industrial automation, automotive, low-latency audio | <ul><li>PREEMPT<sub>RT</sub> real-time kernel</li><li>Deterministic scheduling & µs-level latencies</li><li>Delivered as an Ubuntu Pro add-on</li></ul> | <ul><li>[ubuntu.com/real-time](https://ubuntu.com/real-time)</li><li>[documentation.ubuntu.com/real-time](https://documentation.ubuntu.com/real-time/en/latest/)</li></ul> | <ul><li>Robot motion control</li><li>Factory PLC replacement</li><li>High-performance audio production</li><li>Medical devices</li></ul> | |
| 21 | + |
| 22 | +### Notes |
| 23 | + |
| 24 | +- **Ubuntu Pro** is available on Desktop, Server, Cloud images and Ubuntu on WSL, providing [Extended Security Maintenance (ESM)](https://ubuntu.com/esm), Livepatch and automated compliance profiles (CIS, DISA-STIG, FIPS 140, Common Criteria). |
| 25 | +- **Flavours**: Official [Ubuntu flavours](https://ubuntu.com/desktop/flavours) (Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Studio, etc.) offer alternative desktop environments or specialist creative toolsets on the same Ubuntu base. |
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