Linux and old computers

[Boomerang]

Is it worth it or possible to put linux on an old laptop,2004 hp g61.
3gb ram hard drive 160gb.
Had windows 7 upgraded to windows 10 ,it's slow,takes an age to boot up, recently it went into a cant complete updates loop.
Or do I just buy a new one, if so what? Only light emails, surfing web and the odd spreadsheet . The exterior ,screen and keyboard of current laptop are in first class condition .

 

[Fruitbat]

You could always try Raspberry Pi OS.

Raspberry Pi OS – Raspberry Pi

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Libre Office, or Google through a browser?

 

[TechWise]

Yes, I installed Ubuntu onto an old machine and it gave it a new lease of life for general browsing. You can set it up to retain the Windows installation in a separate part of the harddrive so that it's still there if you encounter a Windows specific piece of software you need.

 

[harrow]

I put ubuntu on an old compaq computer but while it was fast it would freeze every so often

 

[teslacoils]

Tbh I'd just go buy a new one.

 

[Netherfield]

I'd the same idea and sent for a copy of Linux Mint, before I'd chance to load it up the battery died and wouldn't hold charge, can't find another battery anywhere to fit.

I even thought of fitting an SSD to help out.

 

[rollestonpark]

you could try it, linux will normally boot from a usb stick. So you can run from that to test (be it a bit slow as USB is slow compared hard disk) without effecting the win install.
I would look to go for 1 of the thin linux distros, as the hardware is old etc.
But you may find it's still slow because modern browsers etc are fairly demanding on the OS, no matter which OS your on.
linux mint xfce is suppose to be more lightweight.

 

[Generally01]

Is it worth it or possible to put linux on an old laptop,2004 hp g61.
3gb ram hard drive 160gb.
Had windows 7 upgraded to windows 10 ,it's slow,takes an age to boot up, recently it went into a cant complete updates loop.
Or do I just buy a new one, if so what? Only light emails, surfing web and the odd spreadsheet . The exterior ,screen and keyboard of current laptop are in first class condition .

Yes that is very possible. i am running Linux Mint 20 on an old desktop computer woith 2gb ram, and im not sure how old the computer is but around 20 years. it does lock up when running too many heavy apps/programs. if u just want to surf/browse the web i would advise Tahrpup http://distro.ibiblio.org/puppylinux/puppy-tahr/iso/tahrpup64-6.0.5/tahr64-6.0.5.iso download the ISO burn it a disc, set the boot device priority to cd drive have the highest priority. On boot it will copy the files to the RAM (so as soon as it boots u can remove the disc) to save your progress when u shut the computer down it will ask u if u want to make a save file, go thru the steps, and on next boot it will load your save file.

 

[Masseymad]

Mum and dads computer was very similar specs although a little newer used to take nearly 2 minutes to boot up put a 500gb ssd into it for £60 and your in and working in under 30 seconds now

 

[Foxhollow]

I have done it on two old laptops and they run very well. Installed libreoffice as well so they have a free "microsoft office" equivalent which works just perfect. One of the machines I have loaned to a friend for use by their children during lock down as they needed a computer each for their online lessons. That was back in March and they still have it and one of the children is still using it. I have had no problems reported.

 

[computerbeing]

Linux would be an option but Windows 10 would run fine if you added a small SSD and some RAM onto the laptop. Would not cost more than £50-£60