Windows 10 EoL is fast approaching, so I thought I’d give Linux a try on some equipment that won’t be able to upgrade to Windows 11. I wanted to see if I will be able to recommend an option to anyone that asks me what they should do with their old PC.
Many years ago I switched to Gentoo Linux to get through collage. I was very anti-MS at the time. I also currently interact with Linux systems regularly although they don’t have a DE and aren’t for general workstation use.
Ubuntu: easy install. Working desktop. Had issues with getting GPU drivers. App Store had apps that would install but not work. The App Store itself kept failing to update itself with an error that it was still running. It couldn’t clear this hurdle after a reboot so I finally killed the process and manually updated from terminal. Overall, can’t recommend this to a normal user.
Mint: easy install. Switching to nvidia drivers worked without issue. App Store had issues with installing some apps due to missing dependencies that it couldn’t install. Some popular apps would install but wouldn’t run. Shutting the laptop closed results in a prompt to shutdown, but never really shuts off. Update process asks me to pick a fast source (why can’t it do this itself?)
Both: installing apps outside of their respective stores is an adventure in terminal instead of a GUI double-click. Secure boot issues. Constant prompt for password instead of a simple PIN or other form of identity verification.
Search results for basic operations require understanding that what works for Ubuntu might not work for Mint.
While I personally could work with either, I don’t see Linux taking any market share from MS or Apple when windows 10 is retired.
Both mint and Ubuntu had issues with simple things like updating or running software, out of the box. Normal computer users won’t put up with that.
I did what the parent waz talking about to 3 children and 2 Seniors and one middle aged guy.
One child complained that he couldn’t install windows games his peers were playing but other than that no complains.
I installed Ubuntu on older laptops, made sure everything works. Turned on auto updates and installed VNC server software if help would be necessary.
I also have one person with windows I help remotely.
The only difference for me is that the windows user somehow constantly has some bullshit extensions or something which change the browser behavior.
Practically the only thing those people use is a browser.
Oh and nobody has a discrete graphics card which would require a driver. Each of those laptops worked fine from scratch, no hardware problems.
“Normal” computer users have no idea how to install software. Most people need someone to do this stuff for them anyway. For those Linux has a lot less potential for screwing things up. Anyone who is reasonably competent can pick up Linux in a few hours. Anyone who doesn’t care about the enshittification won’t bother. Anyone who does should make the effort.
The discrepancy I find with your statement is you switch your target audience half way though.
““Normal” computer user” != reasonably competent
By normal computer user i mean your granny or any of the people I have on the phone on a daily basis. Most of those people have only very rudimentary IT skills. A reasonably competent user is a couple of levels above that.