Re: Before Dimdows 10 Goes EOL, I'm Testing Linux To Save My Laptop From The Landfill

On Thu, 6/26/2025 3:56 AM, Joel wrote:

Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
 

Another daily-diary article, this time trying out a few Linux distros
that might offer a less painful transition for Windows users
<https://www.tomshardware.com/news/live/before-windows-10-goes-eol-im-testing-three-alternative-linux-distros-to-save-my-6-year-old-laptop-from-the-landfill>.
>
A lot of the time, it seems to me, the hardest step for a Windows user
is copying a bootable Linux image (either live OS or installer) onto a
USB stick. What would be a quick, easy job on Linux itself requires a
fair bit of faffing about with third-party tools on Windows.

 
 
I just like the URL - a six-year-old laptop is too old.  That's the
racket that is the pace of Windows' development.  What starts out as a
fine OS turns into a drain on the whole experience.  Linux doesn't do
that.
 

But liars do.

Lenovo X390

I would like to inspect that claim. let's dump the specs. Then check.

https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/p/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpadx/x390/22tp2tx3900?srsltid=AfmBOorreCtpLBORHQWKitmLEijjicouXxdKD8YO1rqIfmtrKjN50vvs

***********************************************************************
8th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-8665U Processor 1.90 GHz 4.80 GHz Turbo, 4C 8T, 8MB Cache
Operating System   Windows 10 Pro 64
Display    13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, anti-glare, touchscreen, 300 nits
Graphics   Integrated Intel® UHD Graphics
Battery    Up to 17.6 hours with 48 Whr battery*
           16 GB DDR4 2400MHz (Soldered)
Storage    512 GB PCIe SSD
Security
    dTPM 2.0
I/O (Input / Output) Ports
    2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1** (one Always On)
    1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C (Power Delivery, DisplayPort, Data transfer)
    1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C / Intel Thunderbolt 3 (Power Delivery, DisplayPort, Data transfer)
    MicroSD card reader/Micro-SIM combination slot
    Smart card reader (Optional)
    Headphone / mic combo
    HDMI 1.4
    RJ45 via Ethernet Extension adapter (sold separately)

Intel® 9560 802.11AC (2 x 2) & Bluetooth® 5.1 with vPro™
Webcam 720p HD
65W AC adapter (required for Rapid Charge)
6 Cell Li-Ion 48Whr internal battery
***********************************************************************

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors

    Intel Core i7-8665U   <=== in the list, 50% down the page

In fact, not only is the unit perfectly compliant (will pass the Health utility),
the owner will also receive the free upgrade from his OEM licensed Win10Pro
to Win11Pro.

The premise is off to a crooked start. The owner didn't even
test whether it would take an upgrade. It should not even need
any Rufus flag hacks.

I'm running a 4th gen processor, a HEDT, and it works too.
And it's NOT in the list. And it does take the Rufus trick
to get that installed.

   Paul