this post was submitted on 17 Mar 2025
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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.

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[โ€“] NostraDavid@programming.dev 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

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.

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.