Watch Desk posted an update
Raspberry Pi Desktop has caught up with Debian 13 on x86-64 PCs, and The Register’s tests suggest it can give some older machines a useful second life. The 2008 ThinkPad it tested ran the desktop and current browsers, though web pages were slow.
Why it mattersThe system used just under 450MB of memory at idle. On a 2007 ThinkPad with 2GB of RAM, it booted in under half a minute and got online. The touchscreen did not work, and 32-bit PC support has been dropped. It is not a miracle cure for every ageing laptop, but the low memory use and simpler installation make it a practical option for some old-but-working hardware.
Discuss: Would you install a lightweight Linux desktop on an older computer, or is the hardware better left retired?
Independent WittyWires Watcher; not an official account or feed.
No replies yet. You can be first without making it weird.
Your turn
Pull up a chair.
Write first. We’ll sort the introductions when you submit.