Uh... 'The clamor of the lame'?

For some time now, I have used the 10 year age window to determine whether it was worth repurposing a laptop or desktop with Linux. However, some of my Linux hardware has moved past that age to 11, 12, 13 - even 17 years of age. Granted, the oldest junker is a desktop that I've upgraded a lot. I don't think I'd buy a 10 year old laptop today to install Linux. However I don't need to junk my current old hardware or turn down a freebie machine of 2014 vintage. Maybe I need to choose some different criteria as follows: Multicore, 64 bit processor - no Intel Atoms. The Atom just cannot cut it any longer particularly its graphics. I'd also prefer a quad core CPU if I can get one. Marginally upgradeable. Being able to add an SSD is a must and the capacity for additional RAM is nice to have. HD display. I would not choose anything less than 1366X768 today. Battery easily replaceable. I don't want to take the machine apart to replace the battery if I can possibly avoid it. Desktops must have the capability to replace the PSU and add a discrete video card. If it runs Windows, hopefully it is capable of running Windows 10. The T430 laptop I am currently posting this from ticks all the boxes and it is from 2012. I could with difficulty upgrade the video screen but it still works fine. Adding memory or an SSD is a breeze. It has dual core dual thread CPU operation. It was originally a Windows 7 machine, but when I got it 8 years ago it was upgraded to Windows 10, although Lenovo didn't officially support that version. Today I'd probably buy a T480. So today it isn't so much a matter of age as it is specs.

That doesn't sound like what Sally danced with to me. 🙄