Do the servers really require 1.5gb? I've always enjoyed using super cheap instances with just 0.5gb of RAM at places like Vultr. I guess the new version won't handle those chores.

RAM is expensive. Didn't they get the memo/invoice?

Some are higher, some are lower.

Windows, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifica...

1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores, 4 gigabytes RAM, 64 GB or larger storage device, UEFI, Secure Boot capable, (TPM) version 2.0, Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during initial device setup.

Ubuntu, this link, https://documentation.ubuntu.com/release-notes/26.04/

2 GHz dual-core processor or better, a minimum of 6GB RAM and 25 GB of free hard drive space. For ISO-based installs, you will need a USB port or DVD drive for the installation media. An internet connection is ... not required for the initial installation.

No requirement listed for UEFI, TPM, or account with a company that the Human Rights Council and others describe as aiding and abetting atrocity crimes.