YES this is the right direction!!
I’d thought to try slamming Ubuntu on it and mounting it in the kitchen, on a tripod... Like something from Fantasia. [The ‘slamming Ubuntu’ took a few attempts due to the USB-C converter, and when it did, I couldn’t find a touchscreen driver.] I didn’t think to try other OSes.
I’m not super sold on Apple products- I’m okay having some limitations and using the Win11 machine for more than just iCloud backups. One of my earlier loves had been a 16gb Mini 4. We broke up when it started asking me to plug it in->wipe it-> reinstall the OS, due to available space. 😥
This is AWFUL— now I want to go to Reddit 🥲