Will Linux Mint be better than a 64bit Windows 10 on an Acer laptop from 2010?

[obach]

I bought a working laptop for just $50 today. Its a Acer Aspire 5536-5142.
It didnt have a HDD but I managed to get my own 5400 rpm HDD 500GB.

Will Linux Mint be better than the Windows 10 on this HDD and laptop? The only way Im considering Win 10 is because of Microsoft Office.

 

[azaran]

It really depends on what exactly you're using the computer for and how comfortable you are with Linux. If the only reason you're going with Windows is for Office you could dual boot or run a VM with Windows and Office installed and just load Mint as your OS.

 

[dmroeder]

The only cost to trying Mint for yourself to see if it will work for you is time. If you don't like it, install Windows 10.

 

[androbourne]

There is quite a few reasons to go with Windows 10 naively instead of using Linux. Such as compatible software. Some may say to just run it through WINE but if you have ever used WINE before you will know it has limitations and weaker performance than running the application in its native OS.

So you really need to decide what softwares you plan on using and just build your OS round that.

 

[epicsoftworks]

It has been said before, it depends on the software you are going to use. Also, just try if it will suit your needs like @dmroeder says. The only cost is trying. You can even try a live boot without actually installing the OS and play around to see if this is what you need.

i.e. I only use open-source software like LibreOffice as my main office suite, Gimp as image manipulator etc, etc...

If you plan on using a lot of closed source software then there is no kidding yourself and you might be better off using Windows. Performance wise I bet every penny that Mint will blow Windows out the fields. There is no way that Windows will run as fast, clean and responsive as Windows on a laptop that has a tad of age.

 

[Grobe]

I had bought a similar laptop last year, really cheap but didn't last so long - those acer laptops have common cpu/gpu cooler that is tightened by nothing but small cushins.
Well, that is not relevant for the question.

While the laptop was still working, I ran Ubuntu Mate. In my experience all the hardware was well supported, and for Linux Mint it would be likewise.

I was slightly afraid that I wouldn't be able to use touchpad to scroll (need driver in W10 to make that work) - but it turned out that Ubuntu (and possible most other distro also) have native support for setting up the touchpad so it can scroll - no matter if the laptop was designed that way or not.