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In reply to the discussion: How to Upgrade for Free to Windows 10 Home or Pro [View all]hunter
(38,310 posts)36. Linux Mint might be a good place to start.
https://linuxmint.com/
For people worried about messing up their main computer a Raspberry Pi can be bought new for about $100.
https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-400/
Linux Mint or Raspberry Pi Desktop will run well on old Windows 7 computers, even computers that have become extremely sluggish running Windows 7 or 10.
I don't regularly use any software that requires Windows so Linux works very well for me. The Linux browsers are excellent and LibreOffice is a pretty good substitute for Microsoft Office.
Google gave up on its "don't be evil" motto a long time ago and is every bit as wretched as Apple or Microsoft, but it's difficult to mess up a Chromebook. My sister-in-law is an educator and Chromebook evangelist. The public schools around here give Chromebooks to any student who needs one. She convinced me to try one.
Now I use an inexpensive Chromebook for traveling. Years ago I had to travel with expensive Windows machines and I hated it because I'm really good at losing stuff or having stuff stolen when I travel. My battered Chromebook and flip phone are inconspicuous.
Newer Chromebooks run Linux and Android apps as well.
For people worried about messing up their main computer a Raspberry Pi can be bought new for about $100.
https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-400/
Linux Mint or Raspberry Pi Desktop will run well on old Windows 7 computers, even computers that have become extremely sluggish running Windows 7 or 10.
I don't regularly use any software that requires Windows so Linux works very well for me. The Linux browsers are excellent and LibreOffice is a pretty good substitute for Microsoft Office.
Google gave up on its "don't be evil" motto a long time ago and is every bit as wretched as Apple or Microsoft, but it's difficult to mess up a Chromebook. My sister-in-law is an educator and Chromebook evangelist. The public schools around here give Chromebooks to any student who needs one. She convinced me to try one.
Now I use an inexpensive Chromebook for traveling. Years ago I had to travel with expensive Windows machines and I hated it because I'm really good at losing stuff or having stuff stolen when I travel. My battered Chromebook and flip phone are inconspicuous.
Newer Chromebooks run Linux and Android apps as well.
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If I do get all this laptop updated, it will need a battery. It has none now.
mahatmakanejeeves
Jan 2020
#16