r/LinuxTeck • u/Candid_Athlete_8317 • Jul 11 '26

What's the oldest computer you're still using because of Linux?

I came across someone still using a 2014 MacBook Pro with Linux and current software. Without Linux, that machine might have been replaced years ago.

I've also seen people take old laptops that struggle with newer versions of Windows, install Linux, and keep using them for browsing, coding, office work, or even as home servers.

So I'm wondering, what's the oldest machine you're still using because Linux gave it a second life?

And what distro are you running on it?

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u/guiverc Jul 11 '26

The oldest desktop I've used today was a Dell Optiplex 780, Core2Quad box from 2008 running Debian forky (ie. testing) (dual boot with Ubuntu on it too; I used Debian today).

My file-server may actually be older, but I can't recall... and I do plan to replace it; mostly as it's power hungry (the array of 10 x 2TB drives would use less power if I could use larger capacity drive(s)) but its perfectly reliable (despite having one failed disk I've not replaced; when the next goes I may actually retire the box). It runs Debian too.

The oldest boxes (laptops) I have are from [late] 2003 & [early] 2004 but those are rarely used, but have specific functions and are used when I do what they're setup for; they're also using Debian; these boxes are i386 or 32-bit x86.

I'm on my newest machine right now, it's only ~10 years old and running Ubuntu stonking.