What OS to Make My Laptop Usable

Lmylo on 22/10/2023 - 19:23
Last edited 22/10/2023 - 23:53 by 1 other user

Ive got an old laptop that I want to make useable.
Im hoping I can install a different OS so that i can at least give it to the kids to watch YouTube.

Any suggestions, or am i best to just send it to the morgue?

specs

  • AMD A6 A6-4455M 2.1 GHz
  • 33.8 cm (13.3") HD 1366 x 768 pixels LED backlight 16:9
  • 4 GB DDR3-SDRAM 1333 MHz
  • 500 GB HDD
  • AMD Radeon HD 7500G
  • Ethernet LAN 10,100,1000 Mbit/s Bluetooth 4.0
  • 45 Wh 40 W
  • Windows 8 64-bit
Computing Operating System

Comments

  • bdl on 22/10/2023 - 19:27
    +8

    boot a linux live usb and see how it runs

    • mylo on 22/10/2023 - 19:29

      seems like a good idea. any suggestions on which one? thanks

      • bdl on 22/10/2023 - 19:50
        +9

        If you don't have much experience with Linux, try the Ubuntu LTS one here https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop (instructions: https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/install-ubuntu-desktop#1-overvi…)

        If you're liking the responsiveness/feel of Linux on the machine, then you can start trying others like Mint, Ubuntu, Zorin, ChromeOS Flex - you name it! :)

        If you find it's too slow/frustrating to use as a desktop, give https://dietpi.com/ (Download -> PC/VM -> Native PC) a try to run it as a nice little linux box with a built in UPS.

        I would definitely swap the HD out with a cheap SSD no matter what, however. Even a 512gb cheapy will make the machine feel so much better.

        • Mechz on 22/10/2023 - 22:19
          +2

          I think Mint is quite easy to use and closer to the Windows experience in comparison to Ubuntu. Especially if the requirement is just watching youtube.

          • bdl on 23/10/2023 - 00:05

            @Mechz: Yes, however I suggested Ubuntu at first since it's really well documented for those with no linux experience

        • BrettSh on 23/10/2023 - 08:14

          Good suggestions. 512 GB SSD is more than ample for a Linux distro and will improve performance.

  • scrimshaw on 22/10/2023 - 19:32
    +5

    If you want to stick with Windows you could try Atlas OS
    https://atlasos.net/

    It's a stripped down, lightweight version of Windows 10 or 11 with only the bare minimum. No Windows Defender, no Windows update, no system restore points.

    Alternative, Chrome OS Flex can help breath life into some old systems. Secure too: ChromeOS Flex is on the same update cycle as ChromeOS. This means you'll receive an OS update about every four weeks, while minor security fixes can be rolled out once every couple of weeks.

    https://www.androidpolice.com/chrome-os-flex-what-it-is-and-…

  • bobbified on 22/10/2023 - 19:37
    -1

    You probably should just donate that to the museum…

  • 7ekn00 on 22/10/2023 - 19:40
    +2

    Mint ;)

  • Richardc on 22/10/2023 - 19:45

    replace the thermo paste and swap the hdd to ssd

  • Muzeeb on 22/10/2023 - 19:48
    +2

    ChromeOS Flex.

    • A-mak on 23/10/2023 - 21:30

      I second this, runs absolutely great on older hardware. I use it on my laptop since I only use that to stream. Tried it on some of my older laptops (xp based ones) and it didn't miss a beat.

      https://chromeenterprise.google/intl/en_au/os/chromeosflex/

      The only downside is you cannot install Android apps on it. If this is needed you could try Fydeos; I've heard great things but have been too lazy to switch personally.

      https://fydeos.io/

  • tebbybabes on 22/10/2023 - 22:15
    +3

    I had an older but a bit more powerful i7 2620 laptop that I put mint on. Worked very well and definitely breathed new life and made it far more usable… However, I will echo the statements that replacing the spinning rust to an SSD will make a world of difference.

    As an aside, I've even put mint on a much older netbook and was able to keep using it. But yes, it was slow. Was a shame, because I still remember that the damn thing had a gorgeous screen. I honestly felt that it had better visuals than many of succeeding and more powerful laptops.

  • DemocracyManifest on 22/10/2023 - 22:20
    +1

    Try Fedora LXDE spin https://fedoraproject.org/spins/lxde/ - it’s a lightweight desktop environment for modern system
    Ultimately however your biggest problem will be the modern web overpowering the laptop. Put in a SSD and upgrade the ram, if you can

  • bumpyhead on 22/10/2023 - 23:02
    -1

    Debian/ArchLinux is the way to go. Relatively beginner friendly, and relatively lightweight

  • blitz on 22/10/2023 - 23:08

    I installed Fedora 34 on a laptop with similar specs to yours and it's very good. Very smooth and useable.

  • pinchies on 23/10/2023 - 02:16

    Looking at the CPU benchmark alone … no words except … ouch.

    Looks like a lot of good suggestions above. Commendable for trying to minimise eWaste.

  • Loot N Plunder on 23/10/2023 - 08:12

    Why not try an Australian flavour with a small footprint
    Puppy linux
    https://puppylinux-woof-ce.github.io/index.html

    Try and get a ssd in there to greatly improve the speed and reduce the frustration of load times

  • mylo on 23/10/2023 - 10:20
    +6

    Thanks everyone

    Ive run Chrome OS Flex Live and runs fine for YT and battery lasted 2hrs.
    Ill compare all the OS and install on a new SSD

    How good is OzB community!

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