aspire 1 New laptop running extremly slowly, would Linux or Windows 10 help?

Just this week purchased a aspire 1(2024 make) laptop for school work, but when i started using it i noticed an unbelivably high lag on most things(appologies for the bullet point seems this editor was not made for mobile or i'm dumb)

it boots slowly

after opening lid the lockscreen page takes a good few seconds to be up and another few to get the password prompt

opening any app takes ages

swiching tabs takes long too

it is just a bit faster than the 2010 win 7 emachines i upgraded from, but mostly just runs colder and quieter
i for the life of me can't figure out why it's so slow, even the old practice laptops in highschool were faster at opening firefox

would downgrading to 10 or upgrading to linux be an option(asking here bc idk much about how laptop bios works, mostly trained on more open pc platforms)

[Edited the thread to add model name to the title]

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Puraw

Hi @IKEAsys ,

Thanks for the detailed post. Based on your description, the lag is likely due to limited RAM and a slow SSD. Most Aspire 1 models ship with 4GB RAM and eMMC or entry-level SATA SSDs, which bottleneck performance.

Before considering OS changes, check if your unit supports:

RAM upgrade: Some Aspire 1 variants allow up to 8GB or 16GB DDR4 (non-XMP). Others have soldered RAM and cannot be upgraded.
SSD upgrade: If your unit has an M.2 slot, switching to a proper NVMe SSD can drastically improve responsiveness.

As for Windows 11, compatibility depends on the exact CPU. Many low-end Celeron and Pentium chips are not supported. You can confirm via the official Acer compatibility list.

If you share the full model number (e.g., A115-32-C28P), we can confirm upgrade paths and OS support.

tenajoseph12

I know how frustrating that feels. The Aspire 1 comes with very limited hardware, which is why Windows 11 can feel slow on it. Switching to Windows 10 might give you a little improvement, but the best option is often installing a lightweight Linux distribution like Linux Mint or Lubuntu, since they use fewer resources and run smoother on low-spec machines. I went through the same issue and it was really frustrating while working on my client’s dream food blog design project, so I understand what you are facing.

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/728388/aspire-1-new-laptop-running-extremly-slowly-would-linux-or-windows-10-help

What is the exact model number written on the back sticker of your Aspire 1, it should be something like an Aspire 1 - A115-32, this model has 4GB DDR4 removable ram and can be upgraded to 32GB at 2x 16GB DDR4 3200MT/s CL22 type ram modules and has a Storage 1: eMMC 128GB/M.2 SSD 2280 (SATA/PCIe Gen3x4) and a Storage 2: SATA/SSHD (7.2 & 7.0mm co-lay) that with this model laptop,

So you can do all the above to increase its ram capacity to speed the Win-11 version 24H2 operating system and its multitasking, which will speed laptop laptops up.

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Axxo

For an Acer Aspire 1 that's running slowly, a lightweight Linux distribution like Lubuntu or Puppy Linux is the best option for improved performance, as newer versions of Windows 10 have higher hardware requirements. However, before changing your operating system, you should first try optimizing Windows 10 by uninstalling bloatware, disabling startup programs, and checking for malware to potentially speed up your laptop without a complete OS change.

Before switching OS: Optimize Windows 10
Remove Bloatware:
Your Acer Aspire 1 likely came with pre-installed programs, or "bloatware," that consume resources. Go through your installed programs and uninstall any that you don't use or recognize.
Disable Startup Programs:
Many programs are set to launch automatically when you start your laptop, slowing it down. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the "Startup" tab, and disable unnecessary programs from starting with Windows.
Scan for Malware:
Viruses or other malware can significantly impact performance. Run a comprehensive scan with your antivirus software to detect and remove any threats.
Free Up Disk Space:
A full hard drive can slow down your system. Uninstall unused programs and delete unnecessary files to free up space.
Update Your OS:
Ensure your Windows 10 is fully updated, as updates can sometimes include performance improvements.
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