Johje19
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This is an older photo, so I hope they're still in business. Either way though, many other shops provide the same service, or if you want to do it yourself you can get Linux distros and additional information and guidance through this site:
https://www.techradar.com/best/best-linux-distros It's all pretty straightforward. I'm a novice myself and had no trouble.
koyote2033
At 2 GB of RAM, I'm not even sure what version of Windows would be runnable on it anyway. ME? 98?
Sulexar
Also no programs work on it, because the only reason there's no malware is no one uses it.
brickius
This is dumb through because the people getting a computer from a thrift store are likely not the kind of people who will understand the differences between windows, an OS they are likely familiar with, and Linux, which they almost 99% of the time won't be. I'd be willing to bet most have an OEM windows license anyway....
McTaco
The slowest part there is that hard drive.
This system would be ten times more responsive with the same side ssd.
Good deal and glad there are options for those in need. But the person using this will notice how sluggish it is after a few months because of the HDD.
koyote2033
Definitely not because of the Celeron Processor from 1998 or the 2 GB of RAM.
McTaco
Celerons around from much more recent
TheGreatAtomsk
nice gesture in theory, but no one should ever trust a software installation on a used computer. no matter if win, linux or mac. in fact you shouldn't trust the factory installation on a brand new device either.
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Indeed. I don't know if they still do it, but I know that at one point, bad actors used to buy routers and put compromised firmware on it, then resell them cheap. This gave them full access to whatever network they ended up in.
AtmaDarkwolf
If they offer the install of windows, LET them. Then u can see, at the shop, it working. Take it home, format it, and install windows yourself. (And do it the 'no online' way to avoid a CRAPTON of forced install microsoft bloat) - Is fast even on dated systems, as long as it can take win10, your good(Even 11)
beemarr
Yeah, exactly. If I were to get a used computer, I know I'd definitely nuke everything on the HD and do a clean install myself. Not trusting anything that might be on there.
PowerPedant
Malware can sit in UEFI storage nowadays.
WitchCityHound
I have a DBAN USB just for that.
cousteau
Back in the day I would purchase computers that came with Linux, then wipe them and install the Linux I liked. At least that way I knew there wouldn't be compatibility issues with the hardware.
meekodeeko
except the person who knows how to do that isn't their customer base at all. everyone here saying "i'd nuke it" etc, great but you wouldn't be buying a pc from a thrift store anyway cos you'd be getting a better deal on used gear elsewhere. this is a kindly effort to get someone of limited means up and running asap without corporate claws in their back.
Madchant
in fact, you shouldn't trust anything you didn't build yourself from the molecular level. You never know what demiurge may be installing malware on your anything.
coothlesscthulhu
Found the Gentoo user.