I'd pick a 10-year-old desktop running Linux over a new $300 Windows laptop every time

In a scenario where you are given $300 for a computer, you have the option to purchase either a 2016 Linux desktop or a 2024 Windows laptop. The author chose the Linux machine, noting that the $300 Windows laptop doesn't offer much value for the money. After researching on Amazon, the author found a $309 HP Everyday Slim Laptop, which has an Intel N150 processor, 128GB of SSD storage, and 4GB of RAM.

The author was surprised to learn that this 6th generation CPU is less powerful than the 10-year-old Intel Core i5-6500 used in their current machine. The author's current PC runs Fedora Kinoite, an operating system that is more compatible with older hardware than Windows 11. The author argues that Linux is better suited for older hardware, as it utilizes less RAM and can still squeeze out performance improvements.

The author believes that $300 would be better spent on older Linux hardware than trying to get Windows 11 to run on limited RAM. The author also points out that Windows 11's requirement for a TPM 2.0 CPU means many older computers cannot use it, but Linux can breathe new life into old machines. The author concludes that Linux is a valuable tool for extending the lifespan of old hardware and saving money in the long run.