A dev friend wants to start taking steps away from Windows, starting with their old laptop.

The laptop has 4 GB ram, and an 8th gen i3 CPU, and they mostly will use it to program.

Some have recommended them Lubuntu. Would that be a good choice?

Thanks!

Edit: yeaaah. Definitely away from Windows, not Linux. Time for lunch.

  • Possibly linuxEnglish
    14·
    2 days ago

    Upgrade the ram and you will have a pretty good experience.

    Also make sure it has a decent SSD

    • NostraDavid@programming.dev
      4·
      21 hours ago

      Also make sure it has a decent SSD

      That means any SATA SSD that can pull 500MB/s. No need to try to stick an m.2 7000GB/s SSD into such a weak laptop. Not trying to poop on his hardware - just staying realistic for when you look for an SSD (presuming he does not already have one).

      After 10 years, I still remember switching to an SSD from a classic HDD. Probably the biggest hardware upgrade I’ve ever done.

      • Possibly linuxEnglish
        1·
        20 hours ago

        Not all SSDs are created equal. Some of the very cheap ones are worse than HDDs. Most reasonablely priced ones will be fine.

        Also I have never seen a Sata SSD consistently pull 500m/s. You would need some serious flash for that.