Mike 2d ago

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.

Show threadJigme Datse2d ago
@codemonkeymike I've got a modern Linux on a Pentium III laptop. It's not great, but if I'm just wanting to write on it, or code on it, certainly a useful device. If the battery was good, it would basically be very nice option for me. Sadly, I get about 15 minutes out of the battery, and replacements are more than the machine is worth.
Show threadLeszek
@JigmeDatse @codemonkeymike sometimes getting unofficial battery replacement can be worth the gamble. I got mine from AliExpress, Amazon or eBay. Did it 3 times over the years and they survived for over 2-3 years. The cost usually is around 20-30€
Mar 28 at 6:41amWeb
Show threadThomas1d ago
@lpryszcz In my opinion a battery upgrade for a Pentium III isn't not worth it (if it's not for sentimental reasons): the performance/power consumption ration, important for mobile use, of cheap Core i5 machines is a lot better (not to mention the need to use 64bit binaries).
@JigmeDatse @codemonkeymike
Show threadJigme Datse20h ago
@tg9541 @codemonkeymike @lpryszcz Very good point. Yes, probably couldn't put most distributions on the Pentium III. The cost of replacing the battery may be more than a low cost laptop, especially if you're willing to look at the used market. Where you may be able to get a good processor, in a solid machine. Mostly the laptop isn't in use, as I've not had a reason to need a portable machine.
Show threadThomas13h ago

@JigmeDatse I own an Atom N280 "netbook" which runs the last viable Debian distribution, soon likely without an up-to-date web browser. Battery life is still good after 15 years, but unlike in its prime it's only fast enough for console applications these days. I still keep it around because it served me well in the years where I used to be a "traveling engineer". Back then mobile Internet was expensive and I ran a "DNS tunnel"; good enough for a shell.
#nostalgia

@codemonkeymike @lpryszcz

Show threadJigme Datse13h ago
@tg9541 @codemonkeymike @lpryszcz Yeah, I should realise that a 26 year old laptop, being vaguely usable is really not an expected thing... Dang, this thing is oldeeeee
Show threadThomas13h ago
@JigmeDatse A Pentium III laptop that still works is quite remarkable. When I tried to open the display lid of an old Olivetti laptop (with 128 MB RAM I believe) which I had kept in the basement for as long as I own the netbook, 15 years, it simply broke off. I didn't use much force; Olivetti must have used PVC instead of more durable plastics. Once the plasticizer are away such an item is trash. The design was nice, though.
@codemonkeymike @lpryszcz
Show threadJigme Datse13h ago
@tg9541 @codemonkeymike @lpryszcz This is a Toughbook. No real signs of mechanical failure. But I have to have a "massive" swap partition, like over 4 times the size of memory to run updates, and it's basically console, though I think I can run X on it, for the few things I might absolutely want some graphics display (though they'll be very slow and cumbersome).
Show threadThomas13h ago
@JigmeDatse I also once had a Panasonic Toughbook which served me well in countless workplace and prototype tasks. The downside of these laptops is non-standard hardware. These days, Freedos or a console BSD are the closest thing to a viable OS installation one can get. @codemonkeymike @lpryszcz
Show threadJigme Datse13h ago
@tg9541 @codemonkeymike @lpryszcz Everything is supported, though the live CD didn't manage to handle the USB network adaptor, so ended up getting a PCMCIA one, until I updated the kernel. So, yeah, I know, not really supported. The drivers are in the kernel, but "no one would be using this old stuff on a new system," seems to be a real thing.