this post was submitted on 04 Oct 2025
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So that very important day is almost upon us.

October 14th is the day set for when Windows 10 stops security updates (no consumer is going to pay for extended) and begins to really push people to Windows 11. Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements that a lot of "older" devices that most people have do not meet.

And so, I am sure many individuals and companies may be getting rid of their old laptops and even desktops to recoup the vost of new devices.

What is the plan, when should we move in? What kind of deals should we be looking out for?

I want to find a great deal on a great laptop just for the fun of it. Some of my friends (converted to Linux) are waiting to get new laptops and score a deal. I have been waiting years for this day and I hope it can feel like a special day.

Any good places to look for these kinds of deals?

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[–] eruchitanda@lemmy.world 48 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I don't believe most people would know about the change, and if they will, I doubt they'll care.

As long stuff don't break, people don't care about OSs. It's just as nerds.

[–] eruchitanda@lemmy.world 32 points 2 days ago (1 children)

There's no Linux, MacOS, and Windows. There's only 'computer'. The computer works or does not.

Sometimes they'll know Apple has computers too, and they're different. That's usually basically it.

[–] fading_person@lemmy.zip 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Computer works or computer does not. There's no computer try.

[–] some_kind_of_guy@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Computer think, therefore... Computer

[–] SupraMario@lemmy.world 12 points 2 days ago (3 children)

This is the correct answer. The number of people who skip updates is way way higher than most here think. The only ones who stick to it, are nerds and commercial entities...and a lot of those swapped to 11 already.

[–] adarza@lemmy.ca 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

perhaps higher amongst fediverse users, but not with the general public.. default settings all around--including auto updates, no intentionally installed browser addons, maybe a wallpaper change. but that's it... is the most common windows configuration we see, by far.

[–] SupraMario@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Most people straight up will ignore them for months. Eventually forced to install and reboot. No one is jumping ship to 11 if their system doesn't handle it. They won't even know the shit no longer updates.

[–] Tenderizer78@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago

If anything they'll be glad it's no longer forcing updates on them.

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[–] Goodlucksil@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 2 days ago

I'm planning to switch mine's to Linux Mint, probably dual-booting just in case.

[–] glitching@lemmy.ml 10 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (5 children)

I got a Macbook Pro 15" 2012 (i7 Ivy quad-core) with an excellent battery for $20. retrofitted it with 16 GB for $15 and a "damaged" 500 GB SSD for $10. runs Fedora with Plasma like a dream - that kinda deal?

this morning scored a 15" hires 2011 for less than $5 that I'm gonna take the screen off and transplant it ova here. plan to rock this beast for many, many moons.

[–] SOULFLY98@slrpnk.net 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Those are great laptops and were well built. I think the 2011 might have the Radeon GPU issue though but if it's lasted this long, you are probably safe.

My grail was a 17" MacBook Pro from that era. I saw one the other day at a tech market but the vendor wasn't at the booth for me to make an offer =/. I'll swing by again an see if I can get it for around $50. They really do live a second life as Linux machines and OWC keeps me supplied on replacement parts.

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[–] ExtremeDullard@piefed.social 27 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (3 children)

(no consumer is going to pay for extended) begins to really push people to Windows 11

Consumers aren't exactly ecstatic about throwing away perfectly serviceable computers just so Microsoft can push their spyware-cum-advertising platform down their throats either.

I'd say this is a great push towards Linux for anybody who knows anything about computers and isn't a corporation with a dumbass MCSE jockey as an "IT" guy.

[–] ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org 1 points 1 day ago

I don't think the average consumer knows about those issues. what makes you think they do?

[–] SteakSneak@retrolemmy.com 15 points 2 days ago (2 children)
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[–] HouseWolf@pawb.social 17 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (4 children)

You can convert existing Windows 10 installs to LTSC or IoT, Without losing files. I've been helping a few people I know switch over the last few days.

I would obviously like it if more people moved to Linux, but most people I know ain't gonna more because of certain software....okay it's mainly Fortnite and Call of Duty. >.>

I'll help anyone with it who actually wants to try Linux, I got at least one person to try dual booting.

[–] Geki@lemmy.ml 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Could you share your technique om how to turn a an already installed Windows 10 into the LTSC/ IoT versions? My work laptop needs Windows (the software doesnt work with Wine on Linux) and I'd love to stay on Windows 10 for a few more years.

[–] HouseWolf@pawb.social 8 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

You can use regedit to make the LTSC IoT installer think you're already on an LTSC IoT build so it just installs without doing a clean install.

I first learnt about it from this Youtube video but they only show how to get the base LTSC version and not IoT which will get updates until 2032.

Here's the values I used.

"CurrentBuild"="19044"

"CurrentBuildNumber"="19044"

"EditionID"="IoTEnterpriseS"

"ProductName"="Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021"

"ReleaseId"="2009"

"DisplayVersion"="21H2"

I have them in a registry script along with txt guide I've been sending to my friends. Not sure if I can directly post them here however.

[–] hexagonwin@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 2 days ago (3 children)

without losing files? could you please share your method? thought this was impossible since ltsc is 21h2 and consumer variant's 22h2.

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[–] phx@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

A lot of people will probably just continue using Windows 10, but yeah now I'm wondering what the best models are that don't quiiiite support 11. I'd love to snag an decent tablet-PC

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[–] Truscape@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 points 2 days ago (2 children)

eBay would be the most obvious place (often where computers sold from government auctions or business liquidations end up), but also e-waste recycling centers, actual auctions held by the companies themselves (this is where having a guy on the inside willing to give you a date of liquidation would be perfect), or just simple donations and giveaways that are "as-is".

Do note you can't take all machines that are being removed - in the US at least, computers bought with public money (most often schools), must be sent to e-waste or scrap reclamation due to compliance with government accounting mandates. There are exceptions to this (auctions), but those are usually never at schools or libraries.

[–] LeFantome@programming.dev 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Must be sent to e-waste? Seriously?

That may be the play I guess. Monitor these kinds of places. They are probably going to have some good days.

[–] Truscape@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 1 day ago

When I was working as an IT contractor for a California High School district, I remember replacing the windows 10 machines myself with newer prebuilts that met the windows 11 requirements. My boss told me to throw them all into a pile, and when I asked him if there would be upcoming auction or liquidation of the spare parts, he gave me a weird look.

He then told me, "Yeah, I know it's a lot of e-waste, but these were bought with public money, so it's straight to 'reclamation'. No one can sell, buy, or take these. The IT department would be in trouble."

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[–] Tenderizer78@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 days ago (4 children)

I bought a second-hand laptop to in an attempt to capitalize on this, but it came with Windows 11 installed anyway.

It was cheap ($300 AUD) and it meets my needs (except for STUPID LENOVO SWAPPING THE CTRL AND FN KEYS LIKE WTF LENOVO SERIOUSLY EVEN IF I SWAP THEM BACK IN THE BIOS THE LINUX TERMINAL STILL HAS THEM SWAPPED) so I'm satisfied.

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[–] ClipperDefiance@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago

Some manufacturers have outlets for refurbished devices. They're not like bargain bin prices, but it's something.

There's also a lot of electronics recyclers on eBay. I've haven't had any bad experiences there.

You could also try going to local thrift stores. Don't bother with Goodwill though. They put all their good stuff online. Unless you live near one of their dedicated electronics stores, like the one in Tallahassee, Florida.

The only other option I can think of is checking out something like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Unfortunately, you do need a Facebook account for Marketplace.

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