Linux and ChromeOS for old laptops
A laptop that can't run Windows 11 doesn't have to stop being useful when Windows 10's free updates end in October 2027. Linux Mint and ChromeOS Flex are both free, and both run from a USB stick, so you can try them before you change anything.
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The Best Linux for Old Laptops
Not sure which to try? This covers the Linux versions that suit older hardware and what won't work.
Linux and ChromeOS guides
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The Best Linux for Old Laptops
Linux Mint, Ubuntu, and lighter options for 4 GB laptops, plus how to try one without erasing anything.
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ChromeOS Flex on an Old Laptop
What Google's free Chromebook system does on an old PC, what it can't do, and who it suits.
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Linux Mint or ChromeOS Flex?
| Feature | Linux Mint | ChromeOS Flex |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free for home use |
| Desktop programs | Yes, like LibreOffice and Firefox | No, web apps only |
| Android apps | No | No |
| Needs a Google account | No | Yes |
| Older hardware | Most 64-bit PCs | Not processors from 2012 or earlier |
| Best for | Someone who wants a full computer | Someone who only uses a browser |