Installing Linux on Hundreds of "Obsolete" Computers
I really want to recreate something like the above on a smaller scale in my community.
This all started when my Grandma, like many everyday users, thought she needed to buy a new computer because her windows 10 desktop told her to upgrade but then said "Your PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11". She had already been wanting to "break away" from her desktop, so she didn't have to walk up and down the stairs to her office, and she was going to buy a new laptop because 1) Microsoft is predatory and 2) she doesn't know that she already has what she needs! My Grandpa passed a few years ago and was a borderline tech hoarder so I KNEW she had so many computers lying around that would run like butter on any number of linux distros. I floated this idea to my Grandma and she got so excited it made my day. Long story short, I now have at least 4 laptops (like the one in the picture) and two desktops coming my way from her house and I think there are more laptops or chromebooks around her house that I could find. I'm going to get started on making these usable machines with Linux. The one pictured will hopefully be her “new” computer but I want to find a good use for the rest of them.
I know there a lot of people on here that are already interested in Linux and would love to get their hands on an opportunity like what I have now, even just to have their own machine. I want to help those people too BUT what's even more attractive to me is the idea of donating these computers directly to people in my community who need computers, don't have the means to get them, and don't have any idea that there are options out there besides Microsoft or Apple. I tried reaching out to a local computer repair shop and they weren't very helpful. So far, all the organizations I've found to volunteer or get involved with are all focused on Windows or macOS. I understand this, because their goal is to get computers to people in need and as non-profit orgs they probably have to have licenses and certificates that might even require that the machines be "fit for consumer use" (aka windows or mac). But I don't want to install Windows 11. Like at all. I want to get computers to people and help them see the alternatives to the big companies.
Anyway, I'm looking for any advice and thoughts on this project (except for what user friendly distros to use. There's a lifetime of reading on that topic). Things like organizations I might not know about doing this sort of thing already, how to convince community members that a non Windows machine is safe and usable, is this project even feasible/worthwhile etc..
Thanks in advance!
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