Should I install Linux?

[camdave]

I have to decide between now and April next year (when MS support ends) what to do with a re-con. IBM Thinkpad T42 running XP which I bought a couple of years ago. I use a desktop most of the time and acquired the laptop for just occasional use.

Looking at the options an upgrade to Windows 8 (or even 7) is not really viable. The hardware is not up to the job and it would cost more than I paid for the machine just to buy the OS and new software.

I wondered about installing Linux but I am unsure what I would then be able to use the machine for. I don't play games at all so we are really talking about internet usage, viewing photos, playing CDs and possibly an occasional bit of word processing for example.

In other words, I know little about the availability of Linux programs etc. – can someone give me a novice's introduction to what I could expect to achieve other than an interesting experience in alternative computing technology.

[MisterW]

I don't play games at all so we are really talking about internet usage, viewing photos, playing CDs and possibly an occasional bit of word processing for example.

No problem with any of that. Firefox for browsing, Thunderbird for email, RhythmBox for cd playing, Libre Office for word processing. All usually installed by default but there are plenty of other options if any don't suit you. The default photo viewer makes a pretty good job of viewing but if you wish to edit etc then there's plenty of options, even Gimp if you want all the bells & whistles.
I'd look at either the Ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com/ or Mint http://www.linuxmint.com/ distros see here http://lifehacker.com/5993297/ubuntu-vs-mint-which-linux-distro-is-better-for-beginners for comparison.
First step is to download a live cd/dvd and boot it on the lappy to check that everything ( e.g wireless ) works ok and you like it, before you decide to install.
I've been running Ubuntu on my desktop and netbook now for a few years and whilst I still have an XP laptop , I can't remember the last time I used it. If you've got sufficient disk space you could always install Linux in a dual boot, leaving your XP 'as is' for emergencies.
Any more questions, don't hesitate to shout up.

[Terryphi]

+1 Linux Mint.

Linux Mint 13 is long term support. Personally I prefer it with Mate desktop.

[camdave]

Thanks for replies. I downloaded both Ubuntu and Mint but neither would boot from the DVD drive on the laptop, I have had problems with the drive before. I was however able to install Mint Cinnamon on a separate partition through Windows giving me a dual-boot system which I will now 'play' with.

I did not realise that Linux had progressed so much and now includes all the major functions of Windows or Macs.

[D-Dan]

Ahem,

You mean Windows and Macs now contain many (though not all) of the major functions of Linux, I believe.

[camdave]

I stand corrected - apologies to the Linux community !!! 

[Technical Ben]

The only problem I think I may have is playing M4P files (itunes/Quicktime video)? If there is an alternative it would be a great help to me.
Oh, and how to get DVD playback working.

[D-Dan]

Install VLC and use that. Job done

[Technical Ben]

Does it play M4Ps? Or whatever it is. I'm having trouble playing them on an ibook... Might work on an intel.

[D-Dan]

VLC will play pretty much anything I throw at it. No problems here.

[Technical Ben]

+1 Linux Mint.

Linux Mint 13 is long term support. Personally I prefer it with Mate desktop.

+1 here too. Liked it so much I went through the pain of learning to install in on a PowerPC chip. 
But I don't really use it other than for testing etc. But Mint works near enough like XP once Libre office and FF are installed. It's only those pesky DVD encoders etc that can be a pain, but some Linux distros/programs come with the commercial license needed for playback.

PS... hmmmm. Seems like today I'm in the rut of replying to older posts and not newest posts by mistake... Sorry!