Can I make my Compaq 311c - 1101A Notebook useful in todays world?

pfpf

hi.
here's a link to what i have: https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/hp_compaq_mini_311c-1101sa_netbook_vy271ea/version.asp

is there any way i can make this be useful in todays world?

browsing, be able to log in to online banking and maybe watch the odd video on Disney etc.

as per the link it operates on XP, is there a free way to get an OS that would do the job?

i am very much out of the tech loop but as its useless as is i'll have a crack at any suggestions.

thank you.

Paradigm

I would say try a Linux version but 1gb of ram is a major drawback. This can be (easily?) upgraded to 3gb for £10-15 which would meet requirements for something like Linux mint.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/OFFTEK-Replacement-HP-Compaq-311-1000-DDR3-8500/dp/B009899SJI?th=1

As it's pretty much useless as it is it's worth a go.

pfpf

That's wonderful. Before I look more deeply would that 2gb ram simply add in to an additional slot to indeed make it 3gb?

Should "Linux Mint" enable me to do what I'm looking to achieve?

Finally and if you're able to offer advice what would be a low cost new machine that would be ready to go?

Thanks so much.

Paradigm

That's wonderful. Before I look more deeply would that 2gb ram simply add in to an additional slot to indeed make it 3gb?

The 1gb module is fixed so, yes, the 2gb would be added. It's (supposedly) easy.

Should "Linux Mint" enable me to do what I'm looking to achieve?

Mint will do what you've described, it's very windows like.

Finally and if you're able to offer advice what would be a low cost new machine that would be ready to go?

Do a search for refurbished laptops, for what your use is going to be I wouldn't be spending on new.

pfpf

thanks so much.
a bit of thinking to do, £12.00 for the RAM to make this one work is tempting as its like new and was only used about 4 times.
a bit of research on new/used as a backup plan. cheers.

bob2302

Your CPU looks to be 32-bit only,  so would need a 32-bit installation - this is best for small amounts of memory anyway.

It looks like mint's installer allows you to select between  Cinnamon, MATE and Xfce. Go for the last one as it's the most lightweight. The real problem is going to be running modern browsers like Chromium and Firefox. I've no idea what that is going to be like in 3GB.

Vitor

Slax Linux - your pocket operating system is one of the lightest 32-bit builds of Linux, you can run if off a USB stick to see if it's tolerable on a laptop of that vintage

pfpf

Thank you all.
No need to contribute more as I've decided to look at a better laptop to do what I need here and to replace the increasingly less used PC.
Two birds with one stone so to speak.
Thanks again 👍 

forgotmyname

With XP Home I would not be going on the internet much and 100% not banking.

jshm2

Aww, those were nice little machines, I've even got the older model! 

Yes you can install Windows 10 on it, but if you just want it as a "kiosk" then something like Porteus Kiosk will basically make the machine something you can use to access your stuff online, without having to worry about the machine. 

The other option is to make it into a Chormebook clone. But the downside is that you're tied into Google services. 

GDB2222

pfpf said:

Thank you all.
No need to contribute more as I've decided to look at a better laptop to do what I need here and to replace the increasingly less used PC.
Two birds with one stone so to speak.
Thanks again 👍 

What will you do with the old machine though? Just bin it? I’m curious, as we probably all have some obsolete hardware lying around.