Question Please help me prepare for being forced into Win 11

[Loren J]

I have a couple of HP Intel Core i5-7400 3Ghz 8 GB Ram PCs running Win 10 that are several (between 6-8?) years old and will soon not be supported with Win 10 and of course Microsoft is saying they can not run Windows 11 with this gen processor (7th I think?) but all other specs are fine. I use one of the PCs just for browsing / streaming / movies / music, and the other for basic browsing and office work, no gaming or advanced graphics. I have noticed both of them getting a bit slow and laggy lately (although sometimes I suspect these terrible "Smart TV" monitors as being part of the problem). I don't need amazing performance but would like them to work well and be secure without a ton of messing around. I'm trying to figure out what the best, easiest, and most cost effective option will be moving forward. My tech sophistication is very basic but I can usually figure stuff out when I need to.

Here are the options I'm considering:

1. Just go ahead and clean install Win 11 and see how they do. I've heard mixed reports and some say updates are a pain because you have to do them manually.
2. Inexpensive ($150-ish) Mini PCs w/ similar specs but Win 11 & updated processers - again I've heard mixed reviews about the performance of these especially w/ dealing with heat
3. Refurbished older PCs w/ better specs off eBay or a similar site for about $125-150 that have Windows 11 installed - although the processors look like they aren't officially supported for Win 11 so curious if I'll have similar updating issues?
4. Bite the bullet and just try to find a good deal on some proper new nice-ish PCs that are compatible with Win11 and have decent specs (probably $300-ish)

Again, my goal is just basic good performance for basic tasks without too much fuss. I appreciate any advice or input. Thanks!

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I would do something like this and you have 30 days whether to keep or return it. PC with integrated storage and memory seem to do just fine for average, everyday use. There's even a $20 coupon as well as a 10% off promo code from the $170.

https://www.amazon.com/KAMRUI-GK3-2...d=1745347691&sprefix=mini,aps,265&sr=8-4&th=1

 

[stonecarver]

We still have a few months before Windows 10 EOL.

You could just buy a cheap 512 GB SSD. Take one of you computers and unplug all the drives and with that new SSD test out installing Windows 11. I suggest 23 H2 for better compatibility and see how it runs.

You don't even need to buy a Windows key to use 11 and see how it goes.

If you get it all working great. If it's a pain and it does not fit your expectations you will get that worked out now and than you can decide your next move.

 

[USAFRet]

j/k

 

[Loren J]

j/k

I still miss XP! 😉

 

[Heat_Fan89]

j/k

That equally applies to the Mac crowd as well, maybe more. I'm always willing to try the next thing whether it's Windows or macOS. We tend to adjust.

I remember all the flack that iOS 7 brought. It was SO polarizing, now people are afraid of the major UI changes Apple has in store with iOS 19.

 

[das_stig]

Those machines are perfectly capable of still doing the same job but under something like MX Linux, without too much of a learning curve and using near enough the same basic software. Just go ahead and dump Windows !