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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.

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

submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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?

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'm using my old netbook as Pi-hole and some home server stuff. Does its job.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago (2 children)

You can get an old Raspberry Pi very cheap, i have a 2b but you can go even lower. It's probably a better idea to spend a few bucks and install DietPi with Pihole on it. It uses only 5 watts, your laptop takes probably ten times more.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

This is a very good point, and it's one of the reasons I don't use my old laptop as an always-on server.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

While this is true for my another older netbook (40 W), my netbook's power consumption for running Pi-hole is ~15 W. I think it's acceptable for such operation. 5 W is tempting though.