For many people, the #Linux vs #Windows vs #Mac debate is a privilege — it assumes you can choose. But working with the Computer Upcycle Project, I've seen the real choice is often Linux vs no computer at all.
~95% of donated computers are "too old" for Windows 11 or macOS. Linux installs on them anyway, adding 10+ years of life to machines #Microsoft and #Apple called trash.
This isn't Linux vs Windows. It's Linux vs e-waste.
@codemonkeymike Damn right!
A friend asked me for help with their laptop, the manufacturer's site told me, when inquiring about the exact model, straight up TO BUY ANOTHER.
An 8GB RAM Ryzen 5!
The cherry on top is that, after installing Linux, fwupd worked flawlessly and updated the firmware right from the manufacturer!
The laptop is fully compatible with latest EVERYTHING and they don't even advertise it.
It's foolish and wildly anti-ecological. Please bring those machines to good use.
@andybrwn You can take a gander at https://distrosea.com/
Also, you can stick a couple of Linux distros on a USB stick and run them straight from there. Unlike Windows, no installation needed until you are ready to commit to a distro.
@thegardendude I put one together just for this purpose. Or something more mainstream like Linux mint.
@codemonkeymike @thegardendude
I am an experienced Linux user and excited about nixOS. Doesn't it require some scripting though, compared to other distros?
This looks very good. I hope you put together some more sections on the webpage, like a FAQ, describing how you have made it easier.
I'm planning to derive a distro from nixOS, and replace the nix language with an existing, popular, battle-tested scripting language like Ruby or Perl. ( Ruling out Python & Raku ). This could drive adoption.
I agree. I was also excited about Ubuntu, though they have added snap packages, and other proprietary extensions.
Older versions of Windows are not an option. Since they don't receive updates anymore, they are open barndoors for malware.
Same is true for MacOS, of course. I have an old MacBook Air that needed to be converted to Linux once Apple stopped supporting it.
Zustimmung.
Exactly.
My 13-y-o MacBook is exciting again.
And once again performing like the day I first unboxed it.
Because Linux/GNU.
@codemonkeymike Yes!! I have an ASUS Vivobook from when I was in grad school ca. 2016 - would have likely gone to the Eco station if I'd tried to install Win 11 on it.
Instead, it is humming along juuuust fine with @pop_os_official on it. I use it to do research and write articles for my blog, plus assorted feed reading, browsing, email, all that good stuff. Even some light Steam gaming.
And it looks sleeker than Windows ever did!
@m1rk0 the full story makes windows look even worse. Trust me. I've worked with thousands of people over decades.
But if you're happy with windows. Awesome. I'm not here to convince people to switch.
Don't worry - young people mostly want two things: (1) the same as their fellows, (2) no hassle whatsoever.
Yet, they grow older and more individual - and that's the moment to show them the power of linux.
Because that's its real strength: you can **DO** something with it.
Don't worry - young people mostly want two things: (1) the same as their fellows, (2) no hassle whatsoever.
Yet, they grow older and more individual - and that's the moment to show them the power of linux.
Because that's its real strength: you can **DO** something with it.
@codemonkeymike You know, the CUP or C.U.P. is a perfect name for the perversion of AI infested systems. Since they will be spying on you all day and all night.
@hyc @codemonkeymike Especially "newer is not always better". ("Almost Human" was such a great TV Show.)
Windows 11's clarion call back in 2021 was "hardware vulnerabilities have changed the game." Here in 2026, AI backed exploits are impacting cybersecurity in a manner that resembles the rein of Caligula. Now consider the quantum computing threat that almost no one is talking about thanks to AI. This is essentially a promise of remaking encryption from the ground up... Making everything a degree harder and slower online for all.
No hardware choices are reasonably going to stop those issues.
Then throw in RAMpocalypse: Prices skyrocketing on storage and RAM, but not just RAM, CPU shortages are next. AI datacenters are eating up the consumer supply, threatening to destroy the entire tech market for computers below $500 (I'd argue $1,000 with Trump in office)... so it's all a wash anyway.
TL;DR: When the decision is "have a laptop that isn't perfect, or have nothing at all", fuck it. Keep going with Linux.
There's also special hardware that loses driver support on macOS and Windows. E.g. I don't dare to upgrade away from my MacBook Pro 2017 because it still runs with the RME Fireface 400 audio interface (using an adapter chain from Thunderbolt 3 to Firewire 400/800).
This thing also runs with Linux, but its internal hardware digital mixer is close to impossible to use with ffado-mixer, the Linux alternative. But it's better than not running it. Thunderbolt 4 is said not to be able to run this adapter chain any more.
In my main audio workstation I use UbuntuStudio and an RME digi9652 PCI card. The last Windows driver for that card is for Windows 7 32bit. Yes, this card is 20 years old now, but it is doing its job every day and an upgrade would not give me any benefit.
So, even Linux pro audio is not always easy, you can get very professional audio interfaces for cheap now used, like the Fireface 400, since they soon won't work anymore with more recent hardware and recent other OSses.
Still runs like a total champ.@codemonkeymike I got myself a 12 year old lill Surface Pro 3 at a "giveaway" price, tossed out Windows and set up linux.
This computer is doing more or less anything I need at the same speed as my way newer, more powerful desktop computer.
Given what I find of "old used" stuff online now, it makes me realize that I should never have bought that desktop computer.
I am never going to buy a new computer again.
I hate this "To beat windows, linux need to..." debate, because as you point out, it is not about what "OS is best" but what is sustainable.
It's time we show windows the door.
It's a castle made of sand, and I feel a wave of freedom coming.
@codemonkeymike
Pixel 3a -> Ubuntu Touch
Surface Pro 3 -> Ubuntu 24.04
HP-ZBook -> Ubuntu 24.04
On the Raspberry´s
NextCloud, pihole, Wireguard VPN, Trilium, Paperless ngx.................
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