Visit your local e-dump!

[benali72]

Many cities and towns in the U.S. run "electronics recycling" facilities.

Depending on where you live, they often let you sift through the stuff being tossed and take an item or two.

With Windows 8.1 going out of support back in January, I'm seeing many nice Windows 7/8.x computers being trashed because they can't run Windows 11.

So I've found LOTS of good hardware available for free.

I was just on the verge of buying a couple new (used) computers when I found three nice Intel 3rd generation I series at the dump. Had a fun weekend fixing them up, and now I've got three good computers for free. Nice!

[wizard]

Have a couple of those as well as a pile of 2008-2010 vintage socket 775 systems, all given to me. Even the socket 775 systems, when fitted with a Core 2 Quad cpu and 4gb ram, can be coaxed into running Windows 11 quite nicely. They are great for Puppy or other Linux versions. I've outfitted many and given them away to friends and neighbors. Only downside to it is you, by default, become techsupport . One of the many reasons they go out with Puppy Linux installed along with Anydesk.

Thanks
wizard

[benali72]

Hi Wizard,

Yeah, from what I hear from friends, they say that most Win 8 and earlier computers can run Windows 11. But around here, at least, it seems a lot of people and small businesses are tossing them as insufficient for Win 11.

Maybe it's cause the original Win 11 requirements were more stringent than Win 10? (see -- https://www.howtogeek.com/737029/what-a ... indows-11/).

I've heard that Microsoft has since relaxed the original Win 11 requirements for older computers (see -- https://www.theverge.com/22644194/micro ... rs-changes )

Oh well, whatever the story, it works for me! I don't mind being my own tech support. As you say, Puppy makes that pretty easy. And man, it really flies on older PCs.

Cheers