Linux on ThinkPad (2)

A little over a week ago, I decided to downgrade my computer. I have always owned high-quality machines -- a Microsoft Surface laptop running Linux, a MacBook running macOS, high-end Chromebook Plus models, and even Linux on a MacBook Pro. However, with the End of Life for Windows 10 arriving in October 2025, Microsoft's decision to drop support and increase the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11 has left many perfectly good computers destined for obsolescence. For users with older devices, the standard advice was to purchase a new computer to run Windows 11. But what else could they do?

The alternative is simple: switch to another operating system. While some users look for ways of bypassing Windows 11 hardware requirements, those workarounds can be unstable. Moving to macOS requires buying Apple hardware, but moving to ChromeOS or Linux allows you to keep your existing hardware running.

While ChromeOS is the simplest solution due to its ease of use, Linux may be a better option for those seeking a more flexible, lightweight Linux for old laptops. In the run-up to the Windows 10 retirement, I repeatedly suggested Linux as a viable path. But was that fair of me? I was telling people to use it to keep old computers running, yet I was personally using high-end machines, not cheap or aging hardware. To test my own advice, I recently obtained an old Lenovo ThinkPad E470 -- a device from 2016 -- and installed Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE 7). I felt I should actually experience the transition I was suggesting for others.

So, how is it going?

To be honest, it is quite irritating. The computer operates just fine with no glitches, and Linux Mint is a polished operating system. I have been using the ThinkPad exclusively at home, and I have been hating the experience. My issues are not with the software, but with the hardware. I dislike the keyboard, and I dislike the screen.

If I had been using this machine since 2016 rather than starting in late December 2025, I would likely be used to it. As it stands, I absolutely hate the placement of the Page Up and Page Down keys. The Function (Fn) key feels useless most of the time; it needs to be tucked out of the way, not sitting next to Shift or Control. The weight is also an issue. The paperwork says it is 4.1 pounds, but it feels heavier. It is certainly a lot heavier than a MacBook Air.

Then there is the screen. The highest resolution it supports is 1366x768, which offers much less screen real estate than I am comfortable with. Again, nine years of consistent use might have made this feel normal, but after years of using better computers, this ThinkPad is a major step down.

I want to be clear: it is not Linux; it is the hardware. Linux Mint is great. I have not used this specific distribution before, but it is a solid experience. To keep the experiment authentic, I am attempting a non-CLI Linux experience by avoiding the command line entirely. Because many people are intimidated by the terminal, I am performing all updates via the standard Software Update utility and installing apps through the Software Manager. I even removed the Terminal icon from the Panel -- what Windows calls the Taskbar -- so that I am not tempted to use it.

In summary, Linux is performing well. The hardware is frustrating, but that is simply because it is a different environment than what I prefer. Perhaps by the time the month is out, I will have adapted. My Streaming Life is often about adapting to changes if it saves money, and using Linux to extend the life of a computer follows that same philosophy.