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E-waste or Linux? Charities face tough choices as Windows 10 support ends (www.techspot.com)

submitted 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

52 comments fedilink hide all child comments

In a nutshell: As Microsoft prepares to end free security updates for Windows 10 in October, a significant challenge looms for charities that refurbish and distribute older computers to those in need. With an estimated 240 million PCs unable to meet the stringent hardware requirements for Windows 11, these organizations face a difficult decision: provide potentially insecure Windows 10 systems, send them to e-waste recyclers, or explore alternative operating systems like Linux.

Microsoft's requirements for Windows 11 include a 1GHz or faster CPU with at least two cores, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, Secure Boot capability, and TPM 2.0 compatibility. However, the supported Intel CPU list only goes back to 8th Gen chips, introduced in 2017, while the AMD list includes Ryzen 2000 series and above.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Well, because if the receiver of these can't or won't use Linux, then not efficiently trying to recycle them will either put the burden of getting them properly recycled on vulnerable people, or they just won't be, either sitting collecting dust or being thrown in the dump.

I'm not saying it's a strong reason, but it is a question to consider.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Most people have limited experience with computers. Most of them have barely used Windows so I don't see Linux Mint as being any more difficult for those folks.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 hours ago

Even taking that incredibly Lemmy-brained statement as fact, I wonder if you understand that donated computers are not primarily for people who don't ordinarily have a reason to use computers.