this post was submitted on 20 Sep 2024
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Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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That's a pretty weak machine. Linux Mint is my #1 recommendation for new Linux users, especially former Windows users. It's what I moved my parents to on their very old computer and it works great.
Try the default Linux Mint Cinnamon desktop first, but if it seems really slow, go with the XFCE version.
You really need to use an SSD in that laptop if possible, it will speed things up to a usable level. Also, if the RAM is upgradable, you should put 8GB minimum in it. DDR3 laptop sticks are dirt cheap, you can get them online for $20-$30 for 8GB sticks.
Same with SSDs, get a 1000GB brand new SSD for $50-$60, it will make everything much more responsive.
Yeah, it's an old laptop. She doesn't have much money for a new laptop and since she won't use it often, it's enough to check mail, e-banking, ... And we have some old laptops at home nobody uses, so we thought we could give it to her as a gift.
Eventually, she'll buy a new ~400$ laptop later with some good specs but that's not in the next few months. But thanks for the tips.
On my living room setup hooked up to a projector:
mint xfce
sff tower
dual core
only 3GB ddr2. (One slot fried) 1080p via display port to HDMI 1tb HDD Use 2 VPN. An sshd server Myriad physical issues. Old as fuck BIOS.
(Was released in 2009 or 2011?)
Memory is a bit of a pain sometimes. Mostly Firefox needs to be closed and reopened after system sleep.
I can watch 4 football games in HD with no real issue.
It is tweaked to high heaven in kernal and configs.
As long as it can work I will make it work.