Two weeks in the past I put aside my M4 MacBook Air and picked up a nine-year-old ThinkPad. It’s one in all an estimated 200 to 400 million Home windows 10 PCs that don’t meet Microsoft’s necessities for Home windows 11. When Microsoft formally ended help for Home windows 10 in October, it turned “out of date.” The answer, in line with Microsoft, is to do away with it and purchase a pc that may run Home windows 11.
However that’s not ok. This ThinkPad — like thousands and thousands of different PCs in the identical boat — continues to be completely purposeful. Its {hardware} is greater than able to on a regular basis duties. I’ve been utilizing it for internet looking, writing in Google Docs, speaking to my Verge colleagues on Slack, and even some gaming on Steam. Not dangerous for a laptop computer that’s imagined to be retired.
All it’s a must to do is reject Microsoft’s framing. It’s not secure to go away it on Home windows 10, since Microsoft selected to cease providing safety updates, and Home windows 11 isn’t supported. However who says this laptop computer must run Home windows in any respect? There’s one other working system that runs nice on older {hardware}, continues to be actively maintained, and might forestall thousands and thousands of computer systems from being scrapped earlier than their time.
That’s proper: The key to saving this laptop computer, and perhaps yours too, is Linux.
The spec that blocked my laptop computer from working Home windows 11
This story was written on a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 5 with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a Seventh-gen Intel Core i7-7600U processor. It’s a extra highly effective model of a laptop computer The Verge reviewed when it got here out in 2017. On the time, it was thought-about a high-end, ultra-portable workhorse of a laptop computer, providing upwards of eight hours of battery life in a surprisingly light-weight bundle. It began at $1,100 when it was launched, however my configuration would have price $2,100. I discovered this one used on eBay for simply $250.
The ThinkPad may nonetheless run Home windows 10 completely positive. Picture by Stevie Bonifield / The Verge
When it arrived, the ThinkPad was in nearly new situation with none noticeable put on and tear. It even got here with a brand new charger. It booted into the setup course of for a clear set up of Home windows 10 with none points. After utilizing it on Home windows 10 for just a few days, I had a tough time remembering it was a laptop computer from practically a decade in the past. It actually didn’t really feel like a tool that was prepared for the laptop computer graveyard.
2017 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 5 (as examined)
- Show: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, 300 nits
- Processor: Intel Core i7-7600U (2 cores, Intel HD Graphics 620)
- Unified reminiscence: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Webcam: 720p
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1
- Ports: 2x USB-C / Thunderbolt 3, 2x USB-A, HDMI 1.4b, microSD card slot, SIM slot, 3.5mm combo audio jack
- Biometrics: Fingerprint reader
- Weight: 2.9 kilos / 1.31kg
- Dimensions: 12.74 x 8.55 x 0.63 inches / 323.5 x 217.1 x 15.95mm
- Battery: 57Wh
- Value: $2,100 (at launch) / $250 (bought used)
It looks as if this laptop computer ought to have the ability to run Home windows 11, however it might’t. Microsoft’s base necessities for Home windows 11 embody not less than 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a TPM 2.0 safety chip, UEFI Safe Boot, and a 64-bit processor with not less than 2 cores working at 1GHz or sooner. My ThinkPad has all of that — besides its processor is one era too outdated. Home windows 11 requires a processor that’s an Intel eighth era or AMD Ryzen 2000, or newer.
Technically it nonetheless works, however persevering with to apply it to Home windows 10 with out safety updates might be dangerous. Even when I made a decision to decide in to Microsoft’s Home windows 10 Prolonged Safety Updates (ESU) program, that may solely get me one further yr of updates, which ends on October thirteenth, 2026. So, whether or not now or later this yr, this laptop computer is shedding help from Microsoft.
Certain, you could possibly use a device like Rufus or FlyOOBE to improve to Home windows 11 anyway, however that’s nonetheless solely kicking the can down the highway. Bypassing safety necessities may trigger issues with future updates. But in addition, who wants Home windows?
Making the transfer to Linux Mint
I’ve been utilizing Fedora Linux on my gaming PC for over a yr now, however determined to go together with Linux Mint for the ThinkPad. It’s one of the crucial beginner-friendly Linux distributions because of its stability, simple setup, and default Cinnamon desktop atmosphere, which seems to be and feels lots like Home windows 10. It’s primarily based on Ubuntu — the preferred Linux distribution — which suggests that almost any app that works in Linux will work proper off the bat. It additionally works nicely on older {hardware}.
A whole lot of apps, like Steam, should be put in with the command line on Linux. Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The Mint installer was simple to make use of, with only a few steps and clear explanations for each. After about 10 minutes, Home windows 10 was gone and a Linux machine was born.
Mint greeted me with somewhat welcome window providing to assist me get began by customizing my desktop theme, checking for updates, or visiting the software program supervisor to seek for apps. Loads of fundamental apps have been additionally preinstalled, together with Firefox and the entire LibreOffice suite, which is a free, open-source various to Microsoft Workplace.
Home windows 10 was gone and a Linux machine was born
I took my time looking for themes and customizing Cinnamon in between getting Slack and Steam put in. I needed to set up Steam by way of the command line, a course of that may in all probability appear fairly concerned for anybody used to Home windows or macOS. Linux doesn’t have a central app retailer like these working programs do, though there are a pair platforms like Flathub and the Snap Retailer that mimic app shops. So, most apps should be put in utilizing the command line, typically by simply copy-pasting a command from the app’s obtain web page.
Steam is offered in Linux Mint’s default repository, so I may get it with a fast “sudo apt-get set up steam” within the terminal. I didn’t want the command line for Slack, although. I simply downloaded the .deb file from Slack’s web site then put in it utilizing Mint’s built-in GUI device.
Getting the whole lot arrange the best way I like solely took about an hour. After that, I benched my MacBook for the week and turned my consideration to the ThinkPad.
This Linux laptop computer is out of date no extra
A nine-year-old laptop computer can nonetheless shock you.
Once I took the ThinkPad out of the field, I used to be legitimately shocked by how light-weight it’s. In keeping with our unique overview, the ThinkPad weighs 2.9 kilos, about the identical as my 13-inch M4 MacBook Air, which weighs 2.7 kilos. The ThinkPad in some way feels just like the lighter laptop computer to me, partly due to its plastic chassis. It won’t look as premium because the MacBook, but it surely doesn’t really feel low cost, both — it’s bolstered with carbon fiber. I didn’t discover any flexing or bending with the ThinkPad’s chassis throughout my time utilizing it.
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1/2This laptop computer from 2017 has extra ports than my MacBook! Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
It additionally beats my MacBook on ports: two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3, two USB-A, one HDMI, and a headphone jack. There’s even a mix SIM tray / microSD card slot hidden within the again fringe of the keyboard deck, beside one of many hinges. I used to be capable of plug within the USB-A dongle for my favourite wi-fi Razer mouse straight, as a substitute of needing a USB-C hub like I exploit for my MacBook. My favourite Bluetooth headphones labored completely with Linux, with none driver or companion app points.
This ThinkPad additionally has one of the crucial satisfying laptop computer keyboards I’ve ever used, and I’ve tried dozens. You possibly can actually really feel the important thing journey if you’re typing. The entire media keys and even the enduring trackpoint work as supposed in Linux as nicely.
The ThinkPad’s keyboard continues to be phenomenal, even 9 years later. Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The webcam and mic work positive in Mint, though you’ll be able to actually inform they’re from 2017. Video is washed-out and grainy, and the mic audio is mediocre and picks up background noise a bit greater than I’d like. However the webcam and mic are nonetheless clear sufficient to be completely purposeful for one thing like a Google Meet or Zoom name. Likewise, the audio system are a far cry from my MacBook’s, however they’re loud and clear sufficient to get the job accomplished.
Linux Mint itself carried out nice on the ThinkPad. It additionally has some quality-of-life options preinstalled that make it ultimate for Linux newcomers, like a graphical interface for working updates, which you in any other case must do by way of the terminal. The Cinnamon desktop atmosphere isn’t probably the most cutting-edge by way of design, but it surely works easily and reliably with out draining battery life any sooner than Home windows 10. And it seems to be lots like Home windows, so it’s very approachable for brand spanking new customers. Customizing Cinnamon is simple, too. By way of the system settings, you’ll be able to add and take away numerous themes different customers have made or obtain them and add the theme recordsdata to your “.themes” folder.
1/3The colourful pixel graphics in Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos actually popped on the ThinkPad. Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
This ThinkPad is not any gaming laptop computer, however I used to be capable of get a handful of light-weight video games working on it by way of Steam, together with Wildfrost, Useless Cells, Hole Knight, Fields of Mistria, and Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos. All of them ran surprisingly easily, but it surely helps that none of them have demanding graphics.
Fortunately, recreation compatibility wasn’t a difficulty. Valve’s Proton compatibility layer, which is baked into the Linux model of Steam, permits most Home windows video games to run on Linux, excluding sure video games that require kernel-level anti-cheat. The battery life on the ThinkPad disappeared each time it was working Steam or a recreation and never plugged into its charger, however gaming will drain the battery on any laptop computer.
Engaged on a nine-year-old ThinkPad isn’t good
Sadly, there have been just a few drawbacks in comparison with a contemporary laptop computer, particularly relating to battery life. The ThinkPad sometimes lasted round 4 hours per cost on each Linux and Home windows 10, give or take an hour. For comparability, when The Verge initially reviewed this laptop computer, it was getting upwards of eight hours per cost. So, that is one space the place this laptop computer’s age — and its 400-plus battery cycles — actually exhibits.
Whereas we didn’t swap it out, we have been capable of finding a substitute battery for round $70, so it’s good to see that that is nonetheless repairable even in spite of everything these years. The screws on the underside of the ThinkPad are additionally simply accessible, which makes changing the battery — or the SSD, or the Wi-Fi card — that a lot simpler.
I needed to hack the ThinkPad to get the fingerprint reader engaged on Linux. Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
A few minor points got here up, too. Mint didn’t acknowledge the ThinkPad’s fingerprint reader out of the field. I used to be capable of finding a information to repair this, but it surely required utilizing the terminal to switch the fingerprint reader drivers.
Because of its a lot slower storage, loading instances for video games and apps are additionally noticeably longer than what I expertise on my MacBook. The ThinkPad additionally slowed down a bit once I had greater than 10 or so browser tabs open without delay. Moreover, the underside of the keyboard deck bought noticeably heat infrequently when the ThinkPad was being pushed to its limits.
These drawbacks aren’t deal-breakers for me, although, and have been a comparatively small worth to pay to get the ThinkPad working on an working system that also helps it.
The ThinkPad’s iconic blinking purple LED hasn’t gone out but. Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
Linux is (typically) the reply to pressured obsolescence
Microsoft’s choice to finish help for Home windows 10 made thousands and thousands of working gadgets identical to this 2017 ThinkPad out of date. In keeping with Microsoft, customers ought to swap to Home windows 11 for its superior security measures; it contains help for virtualization-based safety and makes the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and UEFI Safe Boot necessary, each of which make booting up and logging in additional dependable and safe. Whereas these are good options to have, they don’t essentially justify shopping for a brand new pc for many customers.
Discontinuing help for Home windows 10 has left thousands and thousands of gadgets much less safe than they have been earlier than, and many individuals might not even notice that their completely purposeful Home windows 10 laptop computer is a cybersecurity threat now.
Discontinuing help for Home windows 10 has left thousands and thousands of gadgets much less safe than they have been earlier than
When you have one in all these gadgets and might’t or don’t need to substitute it, Linux might be the answer. Linux has develop into considerably simpler to study and use as a each day driver over latest years, particularly extra beginner-friendly distributions like Mint. It’s additionally extra sturdy than ChromeOS, which is among the most typical options in case you’re in search of a laptop computer beneath $500, though there are additionally many Home windows 11 laptops accessible at this worth. Plus, Linux is free.
Linux isn’t for everybody, although. It’s nonetheless extra complicated to make use of than Home windows or macOS, and app compatibility is usually a deal-breaker for some individuals. I didn’t have any points engaged on my growing old ThinkPad for per week, however I don’t want any apps that aren’t accessible on Linux, like Adobe apps, Microsoft Workplace, accent companion apps like Razer Synapse, or tax apps like H&R Block.
There are methods round this, like working Home windows apps by way of a compatibility program like Wine, however efficiency can range from one app to a different. There are additionally options to many apps that aren’t natively accessible on Linux. As an example, you could possibly use the online variations of Microsoft Workplace apps or attempt LibreOffice as a substitute. Equally, GIMP, Darktable, RawTherapee, Kdenlive, Inkscape, and LibreOffice Draw can all be options to some Adobe apps. They won’t be a viable answer for everybody, however they’re price contemplating.
Lenovo laptops are sometimes among the many greatest for Linux. Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
In case you don’t have any app boundaries that may make Linux a no-go and also you don’t want a very highly effective laptop computer, an older, former Home windows laptop computer working Linux may get the job accomplished, save a laptop computer from the landfill, and prevent cash on the identical time.
I like to recommend in search of a Lenovo laptop computer, since they’ve one of the best monitor report of working nicely on Linux. Used enterprise laptops like this ThinkPad X1 Carbon can typically be a very good selection, though a extra trendy mannequin would in all probability be a good suggestion, like one thing from the ThinkPad T14 or P14 lineups. Used Dell and HP enterprise laptops can be good choices.
You’re not locked into one working system managed by one firm
In case you’re new to Linux, you would possibly discover the big variety of variations, referred to as distributions or “distros,” somewhat overwhelming at first. For many new Linux customers, it’s greatest to start out with one thing common and simple to arrange, like Mint. Ubuntu, Fedora, Zorin, and Pop can be good distros for newcomers.
However the good factor about having so many choices is that in case you ever desire a completely different look in your laptop computer or completely different options, you’ll be able to simply set up a brand new distribution. You’re not locked into one working system managed by one firm.
Earlier than switching to Linux, it’s additionally a good suggestion to learn a bit about how the command line works and the right way to set up apps on Linux so you recognize the fundamentals that can assist you get off to a clean begin.
The 2017 X1 Carbon is basically proving the longevity of its construct high quality. Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
Previous laptops aren’t at all times out of date laptops
Even in case you don’t plan on making an attempt Linux, shopping for a used laptop computer over a brand new one may nonetheless be a more cost effective choice, particularly in case you’re on a funds. There are many trendy Home windows 11 laptops and Chromebooks accessible for beneath $500. Sadly, one massive disadvantage with these is that you simply’re probably going to get a lot much less storage and RAM than you would possibly have the ability to get with a used laptop computer, particularly with RAM and storage costs on the rise.
An older laptop computer like this ThinkPad X1 Carbon might be a viable choice in case you’re looking for a laptop computer on a sub-$500 funds, however you’ve gotten to concentrate on what you’re signing up for. You will get loads of RAM and storage at a cut price worth on an older laptop computer, however you’ll be sacrificing some efficiency since these laptops even have older processors, though it relies upon what your options are. The efficiency hole isn’t as vital as you would possibly count on in comparison with equally priced trendy laptops.
I gained’t hand over on Wildfrost — or this ThinkPad! Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
I ran Geekbench 6 just a few instances on the ThinkPad, and its Intel Core i7-7600U processor averaged 1260 on the single-core take a look at and 2322 on the multi-core take a look at. Its single-core efficiency retains up surprisingly nicely in comparison with the processors in trendy laptops across the identical worth level. As an example, the Intel Core i3-N305 within the Acer Spin 14 has a single-core rating of 1142 on Geekbench 6 and the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U within the Acer Aspire 3 has a rating of 1169, each decrease than what the Core i7-7600U averaged.
Sadly, the Core i7-7600U lags rather more on multi-core efficiency, because it solely has two cores. That is the place the Geekbench outcomes present a a lot wider hole: 4192 for the eight-core Intel Core i3-N305 and 3679 for the Ryzen 5 7520U, in comparison with simply 2322 for the Core i7-7600U.
So that you’re not sacrificing a lot, if something, by way of single-core efficiency by going for an older laptop computer just like the ThinkPad over a contemporary funds laptop computer. Nonetheless, you’ll be giving up some multi-core efficiency. In case you’re simply doing internet looking or working in Google Docs, that in all probability gained’t be a difficulty.
For many individuals the elevated RAM and storage in an older laptop computer is price greater than somewhat further uncooked efficiency. Fashionable funds laptops, just like the Acer fashions talked about above, might have sooner CPUs, however they’ll nearly at all times have half as a lot RAM and storage as one thing like our used ThinkPad, which may have a extra direct affect on on a regular basis use than processing energy.
My ThinkPad isn’t out of date so long as it’s working Linux. Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
Compelled obsolescence isn’t the top
Earlier than becoming a member of The Verge late final yr, I didn’t have a laptop computer that might run Home windows 11 or macOS. All I had, moreover my desktop PC, was a 2017 HP laptop computer working Home windows 10. I’d logged numerous hours writing on that laptop computer, spent lengthy nights taking part in Minecraft on it with my associates, introduced it together with me by way of school and a number of internships. However it was getting outdated, and I may inform — the battery life was getting terrible (two to a few hours max), it was working noticeably sizzling, and it wasn’t going to be eligible for Home windows 11.
I couldn’t afford a brand new laptop computer on the time, however because of Linux, I didn’t must. I spent a day changing my laptop computer’s battery and putting in Fedora on it. Once I booted it again up, it was working a lot cooler and smoother and getting round 5 hours of battery life. Placing Linux on that laptop computer gave it a second life, saved me lots of of {dollars}, and allowed me to maintain utilizing a laptop computer that had come a good distance with me over time. The identical strategy additionally saved this ThinkPad from pointless obsolescence.
Microsoft will warn you in your gadget’s updates menu in case you’re not eligible for Home windows 11, however what it gained’t inform you is that Home windows isn’t your solely choice. Linux is likely to be a bit extra difficult to study and use, however it might additionally provide the freedom to resolve for your self when it’s time to improve your laptop computer.
My ThinkPad won’t have the ability to run Home windows 11, but it surely’s removed from out of date.
Comply with proceed: Linux Mint
Each good gadget now requires you to comply with a sequence of phrases and circumstances earlier than you should utilize it — contracts that nobody truly reads. It’s unattainable for us to learn and analyze each single one in all these agreements. However we’re going to start out counting precisely what number of instances it’s a must to hit “agree” to make use of gadgets after we overview them since these are agreements most individuals don’t learn and undoubtedly can’t negotiate.
To put in and use Linux Mint, it’s a must to comply with:
Linux Mint is free and open supply. You possibly can set up proprietary software program on Mint, a few of which can include person agreements, however none are required to put in and use the working system itself.
[M]ost if not all (relying on the version) software program utilized in Linux Mint is Free and Open Supply. We imagine in Open Supply as a selection, not as a constraint. We predict it is smart to share code, to credit score the expertise we use, to let individuals assist us, to permit others to construct upon what we’re making and to allow progress basically. We additionally get pleasure from sharing with the neighborhood, so we license our software program beneath the GPL and the overwhelming majority of parts we use are Free and Open Supply.
Ultimate tally: Zero necessary agreements.
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