Surviving with low end hardware

Every few years, a new phone comes out with a better camera, a faster processor, and a slightly brighter screen. Laptops become thinner. TVs get bigger. Advertisements and social media make it feel as though our current devices are suddenly outdated the moment a new model appears.

The message is subtle but constant: You need the latest and greatest.

But do we really?

For the past several years, I’ve been using hardware that most people would probably consider "obsolete." My main writing machine is an aging Chromebook running Coreboot and Linux. I also rely on a very old Dell Inspiron with a fourth-generation Intel Core i3 processor. Neither machine is impressive on paper, yet both are perfectly capable of doing exactly what I need for my daily life and university work.

That experience has made me question how often we replace technolog, not because it has stopped working, but because we’ve been encouraged to feel that it is no longer good enough.

Putting "Low End" to the Test

To give you an idea of what I mean by "low end," here is a look at my current setup. These aren't powerhouses, but they are reliable tools.

The Chromebook: Powered by an Intel Celeron N3350, 4GB of RAM, and a tiny 30GB eMMC drive. On this machine, I handle my core productivity. I use LibreOffice for my homework, write the code for my website, and watch videos. I even use it for creative work like making music with LMMS and diving into retro gaming, running everything from the NES and GameBoy era up to some PS1 classics.

The Dell Inspiron: This one is a bit more robust, featuring a 4th Gen i3 (1.9GHz), 8GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 128GB SSD. This is where I do my heavier lifting. I use GIMP for pixel art and Steam for indie gems like Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley, and Celeste. It handles more demanding emulation, like Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast, and I even use Ardour to prepare backing tracks for live performances.

I even edit videos on the Inspiron using Kdenlive. While the hardware is old, I use a trick called "proxy clips", which basically consists of creating low-resolution temporary files for editing which improves performance a lot and makes the process smooth despite the aging processor.

The Pressure to Upgrade

Technology companies have a strong incentive to convince us that we need new devices. New products generate sales, and sales depend partly on making older products feel inadequate.

Sometimes an upgrade is genuinely worthwhile. A failing battery, a broken screen, or a device that can no longer run essential security updates are all reasonable reasons to replace something. But many upgrades are driven by comparison. You see someone with a newer phone or a more expensive laptop, and suddenly your own device feels embarrassing.

The result is that people often replace perfectly functional devices because they feel "behind." But as my setup proves, you don't need a $2,000 MacBook to be a student, a musician, or a creator.

Linux: The Secret to Hardware Longevity

One of the primary reasons I’ve been able to keep using these computers is Linux. Let's be honest: Windows 11 isn't an operating system anymore; it's a bloated delivery vehicle for ads and "AI tools" that nobody actually asked for. Between the background telemetry and the sheer amount of resource-hogging junk that comes pre-installed, Windows is practically designed to make your hardware feel slow so you'll go out and buy a new machine.

Linux is the actual modern operating system. It offers a lean, efficient approach that respects your hardware. By using a lightweight distribution, you can breathe new life into machines that Windows would have relegated to a landfill years ago. Linux gives you the freedom to choose how your system works, stripping away the forced obsolescence and corporate surveillance baked into proprietary software.

On my Chromebook, replacing the original firmware with Coreboot and installing Linux turned a limited, locked-down device into a flexible, open tool. I finally owned my hardware instead of just renting it from a corporation.

You don't need to be a programmer or a hacker to use Linux, if you just need a browser, a word processor, and creative tools, there are many friendly distributions that can make a ten-year-old laptop feel snappy and responsive again, without the constant nagging of a "Recall" feature or a pop-up telling you to switch to Edge.

The Power of the Small Upgrade

People often assume that an old computer needs to be completely replaced to be usable. In reality, one small change can make a world of difference. For my Inspiron, the 128GB SSD was a game-changer. Replacing a traditional spinning hard drive with an SSD is the single best way to revive an old PC; it dramatically improves boot times and application loading.

When we choose to repair or upgrade instead of replace, we aren't just saving money, we are reducing e-waste. Every new device requires raw materials and energy to produce. The most sustainable device is the one you already own.

Technology Should Serve Us

The point of technology is not to constantly impress other people. It is supposed to help us communicate, learn, create, and accomplish things.

My setup isn't perfect. It has limitations, and occasionally I notice them. But those limitations have taught me to be more intentional. I focus on the work instead of chasing specifications.

Before buying the latest product, it is worth asking a simple question:
What can the new device do that my current one genuinely cannot?

If the answer is "not much," keeping what you have is the better choice for your wallet, for your freedom, and for the planet. Your old computer isn't useless; it might just need a lightweight OS, a cheap SSD, and the chance to prove it's still good enough.

Let it have that chance.