Hey everyone! I've got an older HP Laptop (model 14-fq1xxx) that my sister stopped using when the screen broke a few months ago. It's still functional when hooked up to an external monitor, which is how I've been using it occasionally. I own the same model and play games like Minecraft, Roblox, and Rocket League on mine, so I know it can handle those.
Since my sister's laptop is unused, I'm considering trying out Linux on it. However, I'm a bit lost on where to begin. There are so many versions available, and I'm not sure which one would suit my needs. I want to keep using the laptop for school-related tasks like Google Docs and web surfing, and it would be great if I could still run those games too.
I'm also nervous about whether installing Linux would mean wiping the laptop completely or losing any data. If anyone could guide me on what to download and what the installation process looks like, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
If there's enough space on your laptop, you might want to consider partitioning the drive. This way, you can set up a separate Linux partition for dual booting, which lets you keep everything currently on the laptop. Aim for at least 80 GB for the Linux partition. Alternatively, you can run Linux from a flash drive without needing to wipe anything — it’s a great way to try out different versions and get a feel for what works for you!
You should definitely check out linuxjourney.com for some simple learning resources. Also, the YouTube channel Explaining Computers offers a ton of great tutorials across various Linux distributions; you'll find lots of helpful info there!
Before you dive into Linux, it's a good idea to back up your sister's important files if you're not sure she's still using them. Many times people have moved on and won't miss anything if they haven’t used it in a couple of months. For starting with Linux, I'd recommend Ubuntu; it's user-friendly and has a great community to help out as you get going.
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