Optimized setup for a 6th gen Intel Core i3 4GHz laptop on Windows 10.
Optimized setup for a 6th gen Intel Core i3 4GHz laptop on Windows 10.
I have an upcoming exam and I rely on a 6th generation laptop with 4GB RAM and a 1TB HDD that spins at around 7200 RPM. Since Windows 10 was the default OS, I used it even though it put a strain on the hardware. Over time, opening files like .jpegs or PDFs became frustratingly slow during work sessions. Don't mention Chrome's performance either. I suspected the issue was mainly due to my HDD, but limited resources prevented me from upgrading to an SSD. That led me to dual boot Linux—first Lubuntu, then Ubuntu. I expected Ubuntu would handle drivers better, but it still caused problems. Windows 7 was on the list, but since it came pre-installed with a key I didn't touch, I hesitated. Now it's causing me frustration and testing my patience. Help me out!
Currently, it seems you have a lot of extra information. It might be wise to back up your files and perform a clean, new installation of Windows.
Avoid paying extra, but cleaning the drive might help a bit. A 5400rpm hard drive will still run slow, so keep bloatware low since 4GB RAM isn’t much use these days. Page file swapping on such a drive is really inefficient. Consider switching to an SSD and adding more RAM if you can—SSDs are much faster, and page files work better with them. Good 500GB SSDs are available for around $60–70 if you manage to find one.
The 5400rpm drive seems to be the main limiting factor. All other aspects appear satisfactory for office tasks.
Considered doing it, but I lack extra files and C is affordable around 800 gigabytes. Very few programs are available, and there aren't many software options.
I understand the issue is with basic office tasks. It's not a performance problem, just slow file handling and delayed responses.
Sorry to hear that. It seems you're facing a challenge. You could try finding a damaged laptop with suitable RAM for a low cost or free option, which might help ease the issue.
I own a laptop running the 7th generation Intel i3, only with Ubuntu installed. It functions perfectly for my school tasks, mainly using LibreOffice and some CAD software. No problems have arisen so far. I've upgraded it with an additional 4GB of RAM and a 30€ M.2 SSD, which slightly improved performance. Currently, the RAM usage is around 3GB while multiple tabs are open in Firefox, Steam, Thunderbird, and Discord. For smoother operation, especially when launching programs quickly, an SSD and possibly more RAM would be beneficial. 120GB storage units should now be affordable and work well, particularly if paired with a 1TB HDD. Links provided for reference.
It's comforting to know Ubuntu functions well for everyday tasks. Based on my experience, I initially tried Lubuntu which caused driver problems, so I assumed Ubuntu would fix that. However, when the keyboard stopped, I was left with no choice but to give up. I wiped everything and removed the dual-boot setup. Hearing from you about using only Ubuntu makes me think about reinstalling it again. I appreciate your courage and support. Thanks!