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?

  • boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net
    317·
    14 hours ago

    A few distros I recommend for people switching:

    Criteria Distro
    “Just Works” family/parent/aunt/uncle/grandparent/media PC for browsing the web and using normal programs (available on Flathub.org) universal Blue Aurora and Bluefin LTS
    same but want more recent software, more tech savvy person universal Blue Bluefin, Aurora, Fedora atomic Desktops
    really need custom software like VirtualBox (might run on above though), stuff not available as Flatpak, appimage, RPM or working through distrobox Debian, OpenSUSE Slowroll, NixOS
    same but want more recent updates OpenSUSE Tumbleweed, NixOS unstable
    Fixing my computer is my hobby Arch, Gentoo, …

    I explicitely, from experience, do not recommend

    • Linux f**ing mint or other distros stuck on X11, that will converts from anything modern convince that Linux is worse than Windows
    • Fedora regular as upgrades always break
    • Ubuntu due to snaps, weird upgrading system, weird decisions, nonstandard customizations breaking things
    • Ubuntu derivatives due to LTS
    • small nieche distros made by few people like Nobara or CachyOS (If you dont plan to distrohop at any time)
    • somerandomperson@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      101·
      16 hours ago

      the “just works” category MUST be linux mint. it’s the distro that works the most OOTB.

      Before you ask, i have tried about 12 distros and i can confidently say that Mint just works OOTB.

      But, i don’t give a fuck to stability; i want the blreediest of edges. So i use arch and the AUR often.

      • boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net
        37·
        14 hours ago

        No.

        Mint works ootb but that is just one criterium. People can help you with setup. What about

        • breaking with upgrades or needing an at least medium savvy user to do them
        • lacking behind on updates
        • incompatibilities with Ubuntu that occur
        • upgrades not being enforced-ish so noobs dont care and dont upgrade
        • flathub being preinstalled but only verified apps are there, instead “unverified” deb packages are promoted
        • desktop looks ok but kinda ugly
        • apps same, subpar to KDE
        • X11? I hate when people like LTT think that this outdated stack is what we currently have on Linux
        • somerandomperson@lemmy.dbzer0.com
          2·
          4 hours ago

          You just had a very bad experience because you are already very tech savvy.

          Breaking with upgrades or needing an at least medium savvy user to do them

          • That’s why they advise to set up Timeshift ON THE FUCKING SETUP. As for the updates, it notifies you when you need to and you should.

          lacking behind on updates

          • That’s why PPAs exist. Besides, the average user is NOT interested in bleeding-edge software.

          incompatibilities with ubuntu that may occur

          • Ubuntu is not recommended anymore. Also, there’s LMDE for that purpose.

          Upgrades not being enforced-ish so noobs don’t care and don’t upgrade

          • Updating your computer is YOUR choice, it’s YOUR computer.

          flathub being preinstalled but only verified apps are there, instead “unverified” deb packages are promoted

          • The App Store (or whatever it is called) includes BOTH OFFICIAL deb packages AND VERIFIED Flatpaks.

          desktop looks ok but kinda ugly

          • There’s XFCE and MATE editions to solve that. Even if those DEs may not be enough, you can install a new one.

          apps same, subpar to KDE

          • Atleast they’re more beginneer-friendly. Also, there are the two other DEs’ apps and installing s new DE if they do not like the current one. (Very unlikely, because most pc users come from Windows.)

          X11? I hate when people like LTT think that this outdated stack is what we currently have on linux.

          • There’s a “Cinnamon on Wayland (Experimental)” session for that. And also, installing a new DE.
        • Spaz@lemmy.world
          1·
          8 hours ago

          Bro, when is the last time you have booted a recent build of Mint Cinnamon or other ‘flavors’ of Mint? I feel like you tried it like 10+ years ago and have just complained about it since.

          • Grimtuck@lemmy.world
            1·
            8 hours ago

            To be fair I had Linux Mint installed recently and audio broke on the first update. Never could fix it. I had to reinstall. I’m a total noob on Linux but my experience doesn’t seem that unusual based on the huge number of troubleshooting steps I tried from users experiencing similar issues.

      • boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net
        24·
        14 hours ago

        My experience after many years

        Dont recommend mint to new users or they will think linux is objectively worse looking, has graphics issues with mixed DPI and multi monitor, etc etc

        Mint does some things right, some things wrong. Like flatpak, but not entire flathub. Or nice update reminder but no automatic updates.