Looking for Linux Installation advice on an Aspire M5-481PT-6644. Any recommendations?

I have an old Aspire M5-481PT laptop that I would like to repurpose with Linux. Has anyone here performed a successful Linux install on this model and if yes, what tips/recommendations can you offer? All internal parts are original and the OS was upgraded to Windows 10 years back with no recent updates (in years). It still boots but it runs slower any computer I've ever owned and I'm hoping Linux might make it useable again.

My work laptop is RHEL10 and will be soon switching to Fedora so Fedora would probably be my preference for consistency and familiarity sake but I am open to whatever works.

Suggestions are welcome…thanks!

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JackE

> >All internal parts are original> >runs slower any computer I've ever owned > >

The M5 needs one 2GB or one 4GB DDR3 replaceable sodimm module 1333MHz or higher to be added to 2GB soldered onboard RAM for a total of 4GB or 6GB RAM.

The 2.5" HDD is the M5's main bottleneck. It should be replaced with a 1TB 2.5" SSD, at the moment the most practical size SSD upgrades. WD Blue, Adata & Crucial probably have the best deals.

LinuxMint Cinnamon is arguably the most polished and easiest to install GUI distro based mainly on Debian & Ubuntu. It can be configured to have essentially the same look, feel and function of Microsoft's last halfway decent Windows version Win7 but much faster.

Steve_D

Thank you for the feedback.

My Acer M5 has 6GB RAM already, and I've read that others have had boot issues after trying to replace the <hybrid> hard drive.

I will consider replacing the hard drive, but my primary question was if anyone here had successfully installed any flavor of LINUX on the M5-481PT, and if so, what tips can they offer to help me proceed with an install avoiding as many pitfalls as possble.

JackE

Unlikely that you will get a timely response on these AcerAspireLaptop forums that specifically addresses installing any Linux distros including Fedora on an M5-481PT. Accordingly, you might consider trying the AcerLinux forums at this link.

Unfortunately, Fedora is far down on my own list of distros that seem to easily install and work as well as or better than the original factory-installed Windows version that came on consumer grade laptops like your old M5. And I have tried many distros on many older and newer Acer, HP & Dell laptops in coming to this conclusion.

kai_spife

Ubuntu and any lightweight Linux distro should work just fine, however, you may get alot of driver issues, what do you want to repurpose it for?

Ainux

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1317546#Comment_1317546

no all drivers are up streamed so you can get better compatibility with linux than windows.

just like mac you dont have to worry

but the model have limited resource so i think you could only be able to install something light weight test with fedora thn ubuntu and after that test with mint maybe

Steve_D

Thanks all for the feedback.
I installed Fedora 41 successfully…no hardware changes. The only roadblock I ran into was having to switch to "legacy bios." While performance is not great it is worlds better than the Windows 10 install that barely chugged along at anything.

It's an old laptop that has long since been replaced and I didn't want to just toss it in the trash. I do not have specific plans beyond getting used to Fedora…my work laptop is Red Hat but we are switching support to Fedora so that's what I'll be getting when they replace it. Right now I think I'll try using it to connect to my turntable's USB OUT for ripping copies of my LPs that can't be replaced on CD.

At some point I may consider swapping in a bigger/faster SSD and running it headless for a home automation project….as if I have enought "spare time " for any of that.