OSes Windows 10: end of life, 14. Oct. 2025
- Thread starter Second Summer
- Start date
beancounter
The Fire That Burns Within
OP
OP
What did you do with your old laptop?
I understand that the end-of-life for Windows 10 combined with the higher hardware requirements for Windows 11 mean that a lot of computers are deemed obsolete. However, they can usually be fitted with a different OS and work perfectly well for many more years. If you don't need it yourself, perhaps you could consider selling it (e.g. to a shop that specialise in refurbishing used computers) or donating it to charity. In this age of financial hardship a cheap used computer can make a big difference, even if it can't run Windows 11. Just a thought!
beancounter
The Fire That Burns Within
I already recycled it. It was a potato, and I'm not sure anyone would have been happy with it.
OP
OP
OP
OP
I really can't emphasize how user-friendly some Linux distros have become in recent years. The big hurdle for most new users is the actual installation. I think if it were more common for vendors to sell computers with Linux pre-installed, then there would be a lot more Linux users in this world!
My main machine (A 17" Dell laptop) is on Win 11.
My dev machine at work is on Win 11.
My desktop at home is on 10.
I will stick with 10, or possibly use the hack that's available to get Win 11 on it.
I can't go to Linux as I use Visual Studio for programming Windows based software.
I also have an old mini-laptop/tablet and a tiny pc running Win 8 and Windows server respectively.
I also have another tiny pc running Ubuntu.
My dev machine at work is on Win 11.
My desktop at home is on 10.
I will stick with 10, or possibly use the hack that's available to get Win 11 on it.
I can't go to Linux as I use Visual Studio for programming Windows based software.
I also have an old mini-laptop/tablet and a tiny pc running Win 8 and Windows server respectively.
I also have another tiny pc running Ubuntu.
OP
OP
Yeah, probably better off sticking with Windows in your case.
However, for people with more typical desktop computer needs, such as Internet browsing, emails, word processing + spreadsheets (except if you must have very accurate rendering of Microsoft formats), video conferencing, photo editing, or even a lot of gaming and video editing, Linux might well suit you just fine.
I quite like Linux.
But I would never recommend to anyone not computer savvy.
The amount of stuff that a console window is needed for is too much for the average grandparent for example
OP
OP
I think if they're motivated to try something different than Windows, then that's a good start. And now with Microsoft wanting to kill off our not-so-new but otherwise perfectly working computers, that motivation might well be quite common.I quite like Linux.
But I would never recommend to anyone not computer savvy.
The amount of stuff that a console window is needed for is too much for the average grandparent for example
For many distros, as long as you're not trying to do anything very complicated, I don't think the terminal is nearly as crucial these days as it used to be, let's say 10 years ago.
A couple of the hundreds of available Linux distros out there are aimed at non-tech users, and my understanding is they do a pretty good job at this point in time. E.g. Mint, Zorin, Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu, Elementary OS, Pop!_OS, maybe Deepin (if you don't mind the company behind it being Chinese).
I don't have any first-hand recent experience with any of these distros myself - I stopped distro-hopping a long time ago - but experts whose opinions I value are saying these distros really are great for non-techie former Windows users.
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