Linux

48400 readers

738 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

What can I do with my super old laptop? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

37 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I had installed Debian on an Acer Aspire One Laptop. It has a 32-bit Intel Atom CPU with just 1GB of RAM. I obviously can't run it like a usual desktop anymore, it's way too slow.

I tried it to connect it to my TV with HDMI to create some sort of "Smart TV" setup, but that didn't work out because I can't even play 1080p videos on VLC with it smoothly.

So.... What now? Can I only use it for headless stuff like pihole, nextcloud, etc. now?

Is there any hope left for my unsuccessful "Smart TV" contraption?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Some more things I’ve used old netbooks for:

Portable pxe boot server

Audio source for mixing (think using a mixing board to do audio collage work with tape, record and digital sources)

Midi sequencer- the cheap usb to midi breakout cable works good here and you really don’t need much horsepower to sequence midi.

Tracker playback and editing

Display driver/art/digital photo collage/digital signage/whatever.

E: People will tell you that you’re better off with a sbc because it’ll save you money on power. Do your own research on this. A kill-a-watt is cheap and the power savings quickly gets murky.