Windows 11 feels less like an upgrade and more like a deadline. Switch or face the security nightmare. How does this affect those who can’t afford it? Why force people, in this market, when there is so much choice? Why make me say “maybe get a Mac or an iPad”? Seriously, that was hard to say.
When a Working Computer Is Declared Obsolete
I was reminded of this recently during a conversation with a family member; older, frustrated, on a fixed income, using a perfectly fine Windows 10 PC that suddenly feels “obsolete” on paper. The hardware works, she says. How do I fix this? I have no answer. What could I say? Her needs are simple: banking, email, the occasional video. But the message is clear: upgrade or replace. And that’s the problem. There are so many good laptops and PCs out there that don’t belong anywhere near a landfill.
Recovery, Reuse, and the Case Against Forced Upgrades
Sustainability isn’t just about recycling; it’s about recovery, reuse, and resisting forced consumption, something I explored before when thinking about whether someone else could benefit from the tech we already have. My honest answer? I can’t make Windows 11 easier or cheaper. The real options today are an iPad, a smartphone, maybe a Chromebook… or Linux. Yes, of course I will promote Linux.
Linux Isn’t Windows. But What Do You Actually Need?
Now, Linux isn’t Windows. The question I keep asking is: what do you actually need a computer for? For years, I’ve revived older computers using Linux Mint and other distributions, and for me, it just works. Low maintenance, stable, predictable. No drama. But that’s me! Supporting Linux for others? That’s a different story and not for the faint of heart, unless you’re in an enterprise environment, But Linux Mint comes close and sometimes I am just tempted to install it on my main PC; just to see how the fam reacts.
Where Practical Computing Meets Sustainability
Now between cloud services, browsers, and lightweight desktops, most daily tasks are covered. I do miss Windows 98 SE (yes, I aged myself here), Windows XP, Windows 7, and even Windows 10; eras when hardware longevity mattered (albeit not for 10).
But here we are. Windows 11 isn’t winning over everyday users in my circles, and Linux has quietly aligned with where I’m already headed: self-hosting, QGIS, Python, development, and sustainable tech choices. Sustainability matters to me and the future shouldn’t just be louder or shinier. With inflation and costs going up let’s make it leaner, longer-lasting, and more intentional.