Since the passing of Windows XP, I have been trying to find a good OS for my ThinkPad R51. Even Win 7 is a drag on my computer. Microsoft does not have a solution to this - only to "install Win 10". It would be a shame to have to junk this functional hardware just because the OS is not able to adapt to the hardware.
I have not tried any other software but have looked at Linux and Ubuntu. The current versions require (?) Physical Address Extension (PAE) which is not available on my system.
As of this time I have not tried any other OS. Just stumbling along with XP and W7. 2 Gig memory maxed out. It runs W7 but the graphics is under powered - W7 and other upgrade advisers say that the graphics is the fail point. If that was upgrade-able, it appears that it would work. I have looked at Linux OS but the current releases require the Physical Address Extension available. So?
I'm just a "stupid" user with a question who can not afford to replace my multiple R51s with 'modern' systems.
About the laptop
I know that might be more information than you want to see, but more is better?
System Information
System Manufacturer: IBM 2888M9U
Product Version: ThinkPad R51
Processor Manufacturer: GenuineIntel Processor Version: Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor
External Clock: 400 MHz
Maximum Clock Supported: 1700 MHz
Current Clock: 1700 MHz
CPU Socket: Populated
General Information
Processor Name: Intel Pentium-M 735 Original
Processor Frequency: 1700.0 MHz CPU ID: 000006D6
CPU Brand Name: Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1.70GHz CPU
Vendor: GenuineIntel CPU Stepping: B1
CPU Code Name: Dothan CPU
Technology: 90 nm CPU QDF: Q75Q, Q02R, Q842, QAAY, Q54T, Q92Q, Q65Q, Q63T, Q62Q, Q51T, Q72Q CPU S-Spec: SL7EP, SL7ER
CPU Thermal Design Power (TDP): 21 W
CPU Platform: mPGA479M (Micro-FCPGA/FCBGA)
Microcode Update Revision: 18
Number of CPU Cores: 1 Number of Logical CPUs: 1
Physical Address Extension Not Present
Video chipset
Video Chipset: Intel i852GM Integrated Video Chipset Codename:
Video Memory: 64 MBytes
Video Card: Intel 82852GM(E/V)/PM/855GM(E) (G)MCH - Integrated Graphics Controller [A2] [IBM]
Video Bus: PCI Video RAMDAC: Internal
Video BIOS Version: 3181 PC Dev 12/15/2003 17:04:18