I'm looking to gift a laptop to an elderly family member solely for browsing, primarily using YouTube and Facebook. Instead of leaving Windows on it, I plan to install Linux Mint or Zorin OS (potentially going with Mint XFCE for a lighter option) and ensure unattended upgrades are set up to ease any update worries. I experimented with an old Chromebook but ended up frustrated as its Celeron CPU and eMMC storage offered a terrible experience. I'm ready to invest in something new that balances price and performance—definitely not the rock-bottom Chromebooks that lack a proper SSD. I know Linux is less demanding than Windows, but I want to avoid purchasing something so weak that it runs slower than her iPhone. I'm thinking NVMe SSD and at least 8GB of RAM might be the way to go, but I'm curious if 8GB is over the top. What do you think the minimum specs should be for a smooth experience without going overboard?
3 Answers
I've used different Chromebooks with Linux installed and had good results, but you should consider the model. Some models work better than others with Linux. If you're going for 4GB of RAM, just make sure the device has zswap enabled to help with performance. However, if you can swing it, 8GB is a solid choice, especially for adding more apps or browser tabs in the future.
When looking for a laptop for web browsing, especially for video streaming, you should definitely consider something with a modern CPU that supports AV1 codec, as this is important for YouTube playback. I'd recommend aiming for at least an Intel i3 or an equivalent Ryzen processor. Also, going for an NVMe SSD will certainly enhance performance. While 8GB of RAM may seem a bit high for basic tasks, it really helps with multitasking and future-proofing the device, so I think you're on the right track!
Totally agree on avoiding outdated CPUs. My mom loves using her laptop for streaming, and having the right specs made a big difference for her!
It's great that you're looking for a faster experience! Don't underestimate the importance of a solid CPU; without it, even Linux can lag. A minimum of 8GB RAM is ideal to keep everything running smoothly, especially since you mentioned doing things like web browsing with multiple tabs open. The NVMe SSD will definitely help speed things up too!
Great tip about zswap! I had no clue it could help older devices. I'll keep that in mind for future upgrades!