Need help with Linux? It's great you're exploring tech!
Need help with Linux? It's great you're exploring tech!
She has an older Windows 10 machine that isn’t up to Windows 11, but it’s still valuable. She prefers a tablet over a new laptop and isn’t interested in purchasing another device. I’ve been considering an iPad, but that didn’t work out. Since she mainly uses a browser, Linux seems like a good fit. I’m worried about automatic security updates, though—I want something that stays secure without constant user action. Mint and Ubuntu are possibilities, but I’m unsure if they fully meet the need for self-updating. Any advice would be appreciated.
Ubuntu is a solid choice. It’s straightforward to set up even if you’re not very tech-savvy. You can install Windows 11 on any device that doesn’t meet the necessary hardware specs. Just use the media creation tool to get the ISO file and Rufus to make a bootable USB drive. There’s an option to skip CPU and TPM checks, which M$ has handled well for my machines over the past year or two without problems. What are your laptop’s specifications?
An alternative method is using Rufus to install Windows 11 and skip the TPM requirement. Also consider disabling BitLocker and avoiding online account setup for it. However, Win 11 24h2 doesn’t seem particularly strong. If Windows 10 had remained supported for many years, I’d have chosen it myself. I lack Linux experience, so I can’t fully address your question. I’ve noticed Mint Cinnamon and Zorin closely resemble Windows appearances.
I recommend choosing Ubuntu or KDE Desktop Kubuntu. Use Snap for system management—it’s helpful for automatic updates. I think there are settings available in any Ubuntu version to enable this feature. Some updates might need root access, but you can learn how to bypass the password requirement. You can find guidance in resources like the Arch Wiki or other Linux documentation.
How old is this laptop? Verify the details. Many users succeed with a 10% discount on Windows 11. If your system uses TPM 1.2 instead of 2.0: https://www.howtogeek.com/759925/how-to-...ported-pc/
Set up a tool similar to Mint, Pop!_OS, KDE Neon, Debian or Ubuntu with an integrated GUI updater. Make sure all needed programs are installed. Today’s focus is on users who prefer browsing over manual tech work—browsers should suffice.
I've consistently used Mint. The update tool lets you choose automatic updates. I'd set Libre Office to save in Microsoft file formats just in case sharing documents is necessary. I also renamed shortcuts to "Word" and "Excel" for clarity. Edited November 26, 2024 by OhioYJ
You might also attempt installing MS-Office via Wine, as it functioned successfully during my early Linux experiences on Ubuntu.