Can an everyday consumer run Linux on their old laptop, and does it work well enough for day-to-day use? We explore this question with a Lenovo Yoga 310 that was struggling under Windows 11. With the help of various Linux distributions, we see if this aging laptop can be revived to serve as a productive machine.
The idea that Linux would one day dominate the desktop market has been around for years. However, at the time when I started working as a technology journalist in the late 1990s, it was not yet mainstream. Despite being a full-fat Linux equivalent, Ubuntu ran slow and struggled with hardware compatibility. However, we can still use lighter distributions that might be more suitable for older laptops like the Lenovo Yoga 310.
Through trial and error, we found a solution using Linux Mint Xfce Edition, which is known for its lightweight nature. By employing some tweaks to resolve issues during the installation process, we were able to overcome problems with booting and installing on the device. The result? A functional machine that can handle everyday tasks, albeit with some limitations.
While Linux has made significant strides in recent years, there are still some barriers that may hinder its adoption by non-technical users. These include issues related to coding at a terminal level, network speeds, and user-friendliness of help files. Nevertheless, the vast majority of applications are now web apps, making it possible for users like us to get work done on an old laptop.
As this is just one example of Linux working well with older hardware, it may not be immediately apparent that we’ve reached “prime time” for Linux on the desktop. Nonetheless, a lot of consumer-facing work has been done using Linux in various devices such as Chromebooks and gaming consoles like the Steam Deck. Moreover, refurbishing old laptops to make them more productive is a feasible approach, even if it may require some technical know-how.
Can you use this laptop for day-to-day work? Yes, with some patience and adaptation to lower network speeds. The result can be an efficient writing machine that saves us from having to upgrade our devices more often than necessary.
Source: https://alexreviewstech.com/have-we-finally-reached-the-year-of-linux-on-the-desktop