… Unfortunately, while your hardware may be capable of rendering newer games just fine, your operating system may be dragging you down. Fortunately, while most operating systems have turned their back on people using older hardware, Linux still respects it. …
… You’re not constantly paying a performance tax for features designed around newer hardware. That’s the line between an old laptop that feels annoying and one that still feels legitimately handy. When you’re trying to keep aging hardware alive, that line matters a lot. …
… Sign in to your XDA account Windows 11 marked a drastic shift in hardware requirements for running the operating system. Before that, the only expectations from any new operating system release were a slight bump in hardware requirements. …
… Linux is still best on slightly older hardware As much as I love recommending Linux, it always needs to come with a healthy dose of caution when it comes to newer hardware. Linux continues to be a great option for more mature hardware that has had time to receive proper driver updates. …
… But the good news is that the improvements to DLSS and FSR in the last year or so have made it much easier to stick to your existing hardware without getting that itch to splurge on a new GPU. …
… Beyond missing support for newer standards, older hardware can carry a more immediate risk in the form of known, documented vulnerabilities that will never be patched. …
… However, maintaining some legacy support is good I don't want all of it to go away So am I advocating that Linus simply does away with any hardware that was released before 2022 and focus on the newer stuff? …
… Gamers are quick to blame a lack of powerful hardware rather than place the blame squarely on game developers. There's still some outrage whenever a new release fumbles optimization yet again, but it's far too resigned than it should be. …
… But as a consumer hardware manufacturer, they also want consumers to opt for the newer offerings that carry a tangible advantage over last generation's hardware. …
… Unlike previous hardware shortages, this AI-induced crisis feels unprecedented , and all signs point to at least 2–3 more years of doom and gloom. In short, 2026 is one of the worst years for PC hardware in recent memory. …