Finally ripe for Linux

windows_sux

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I think its time for me to go to Linux. I have been learning to code for the past year and a half and am starting to really like having the control and the 'demystification' of computers. Ive been demystifying a lot of things in my middle age which has been interesting. Haha

Anyway, So I got a HP laptop about 2 years ago that I really didnt want but got stuck with so figured I'd use it for everything its worth. Ive been typing and coding on it so much the keys are worn smooth and its case is broken and wonky from being dropped many a time as I carry it with me wherever.

So as I learn more and come to find out, it doesnt have expandable RAM slots, and with Windows 10, just running visual studio code and say chrome browser with only 5 tabs, it becomes slow as molasses or completely locks up.

Using task manager I found out there is a program called antimalware service executable, part of Windows destroyer, erm I mean defender.

Its eats up 80% of ram on its own just sitting there on the wallpaper. I've tried all the reg edits and blah blah blah from microsoft to no avail.

I read that it is checking itself creating some sort of recursion loop which is one reason it eats up tons of ram and has no way of limiting or controlling the usage.

So at this point, even though I knew about Linux years and years ago, I think its high time I figure it out.

Two reasons:
One- To help make this laptop a usable device.
Two- I want more control and options from my computing experience now.

In the past I was definitely a more 'I want it out of the box ready' but I'm tired of all the same ol same ol software and their methods of extracting profits for a lukewarm experience.

So looking forward to the journey to become a Linux god, hahaha
 


Mate, Welcome to linux.org

That is the best read I have had in ages !

You are most definitely heading in the right direction with a good mindset.

Whichever Linux you choose will make that HP spin like a top.

Seeing it doesn't have expandable ram slots.....can you upgrade to a ssd?

If you also buy a 'cradle' for the old hdd, you can use it for Timeshift and backups.
 
and btw....Linux is spelled....f-r-e-e-d-o-m
 
G'day @windows_sux and another welcome from another Aussie.

I'm moving this to Member Introductions because it hasn't asked us a support question yet.

You can come back to Getting Started with any questions you have.

So fasten seatbelts, finish your drink, extinguish cigarettes, and hold on to your hat while we take Wizard's Magic Carpet to Member Introductions.

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz
 
We have landed and are taxi-ing for the Terminal, which you may find to your liking.

Be prepared to ditch your heavy windows baggage and adapt to lightweight but robust, free, flexible luggage which is very customisable.

Thank you for flying Air Wizard and we look forward to hearing of your journeys.

Wiz

Friday here in Oz so

Avagudweegend All

Wizard
 
Good morning and welcome to the forums, From the UK,
your HP will be fine with most builds of Linux, and with a good selection of desktops, you should find one you like, you are already on the way by acknowledging the learning curve...so
Sit back , grab a beer, kick off your shoes and enjoy the ride

Bwiz
 
i'm on a budget H.P laptop i had windows 10 on it; first had slackware stable, then Slackware current , now Arch .

Kids have an even more budget HP , installed Arch on daughters one and Mint uma on the other.
No problems so far. My RAM is just 4gig

If you buy a printer make sure its H.P as well
 
Hello Windows_sux,
Welcome to Linux .org and hope you find us helpful in your journey into the Linux world. Enjoy the trip!
 
Welcome to Linux.org @windows_sux.

I'm now almost two months using Linux and here's what I did and what I suggest as a new Linux to user.

Go and buy a half dozen 16 GB usb flash drives there cheap and create several bootable usb flash drives and try a few different Linux distros.

I used Balena Etcher to create my bootable usb flash drives.

All of these are great for a new to Linux user.
Choose the Xfce GUI as it uses less system resources.

Read and read and search the forums and when stuck ask questions basing all of this on my own experience.

Most of all have fun and don't try to learn everything at once and become frustrated and discouraged and give up.

MX-21 Linux


Linux Lite


Linux Mint 20.2 Xfce

 
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If we're tossing out disto suggestions, Lubuntu has LXQt which is remarkably similar to a Windows experience. Things are pretty much exactly where one would expect them to be.
 
I haven't tried Lubuntu yet but am giving PCLinuxOS LXQT community version a try and I like it and it seems to work well.

It's somewhat hands on at first as no bells or whistles but those can be added as needed.

LXQT is kinda different seems to have its own style and different compared to Xfce GUI and GUI is based on QT packages I believe.

The community versions have to be updated using the terminal and the kernels are installed and removed using Synaptic or the terminal.

PCLinuxOS has a good help wiki which told me how to do most things needed.

I figure it's a good learning experience for learning about the command line.

I also have to check for new kernels every couple of weeks.

I'm using this link which really explains the Linux kernel and the differences in the kernels which I knew nothing about.


I find it very interesting and it's explained to where a novice as myself can understand.

There's no end to this learning about Linux and I find it habit forming. ;)
 
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Lots of links, acknowledgements, and opinions here...

Might be good to hear from the OP
 
So looking forward to the journey to become a Linux god, hahaha
G'day and welcome
I don't no about a god but Wizards will always outfox a god any day.
If you buy a printer make sure its H.P as well
I also agree with the Capt. I have a HP printer/scanner and it worked from the get go when I installed Linux Mint on my PC
 

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