Hardware

A laptop from 2015 probably has an Intel 4th or 5th gen CPU. If 8 GB of RAM is an issue, then you could upgrade it to 16 GB in theory, provided that it isn't soldered down. That could keep it going for a bit longer if 8 GB is the only problem that keeps it from daily use. I'd say that 8 GB is about borderline these days. It's still perfectly fine for basic web browsing but not much more.

Even though RAM prices are in the stratosphere, DDR3 prices aren't as badly affected, so you could get 16 GB relatively cheaply. I'd look for 2x 8 GB DDR3L-1600 SO-DIMMs. Just ensure that the laptop can accept it.

Upgrading the hard drive to an SSD will make a huge difference for performance as well if that hasn't been done already. Unfortunately, 2.5" SATA SSDs today are even more of a ripoff than M.2 SSDs at their current elevated prices because they aren't really being produced anymore. At that point then yeah I agree with the sentiment that putting the money towards a new laptop will go much further.

There are lots of variables in computers that can determine whether to continue using it, but if it was a quality computer and not just the cheapest laptop available it could be worth saving. I’m using a 20 year old Dell XPS and for web browsing and email it’s fine. Try reloading the operating system with a fresh install. First save any files you need to keep to an external drive or cloud system. Assuming windows, use the latest OS you can, prob Win 10. Or try Linux mint.

8gb of ram shouldn't necessarily be an issue in and of itself, although it's on the low end these days. The memory is also old enough that it may just be failing.

Some searching suggests you could use something like Memtest86 to run diagnostics on the memory.

If it isn't a hardware issue, you might have luck trying a Linux distro on it. Linux generally runs better on older machines than windows, and some distros are specifically designed to be lightweight and consume as few resources as possible.

I was provided a laptop to "make work for running code" and the thing was barely functional with 8gb of RAM on Windows 11, full bloat with HP crap on it, using up 6gb of RAM at rest. I wiped it and put a low-usage desktop environment with Mint and it's like a new life, using like 500mb of RAM. I dare say, his stock app be damned, it might be the only way given just how much more or the system was returned to other applications.

Perhaps there's an alternative software he can use? Or at another person suggested, just retire it and get a cheap Windows system and keep the old laptop for yourself? All I know is Windows, even debloated, will use up at least a fourth of that systems hardware, if not twice that much.

Does the computer have an SSD already? If not install an SSD, it will be a night and day difference.

8GB should be enough for basic dad tasks like checking the email and light web browsing, assuming the system is using GNU/Linux.

Is the ram soldered? Otherwise you can always upgrade it.

What OS? If not linux then try that first

I see 3 options, after making sure that there is an external backup of his files:

1. Do a clean install of win 11 and use a tool to debloat it + remove vendor bloat yourself.
2. Ditch windows and give Linux a try.
3. Retirement, go find a replacement.

Upgrading the old laptop with new ram + SSD isn't worth it imo. That money would put you a good way towards a new laptop with new battery, more efficient CPU, new components without any dust or corrosion, ...

I have a lot of old laptops. Like seriously, a lot. I donate them steadily to charities after installing Debian but who knows what happens to them afterwards. I have a lot of laptops. I use a different one in every room and one with a bunch of scratches in the garage. I am running out of reasons to even try and keep these things.I have a lot of laptops. They just arrive, many still with data on them, and I wipe them and occasionally order a new battery for them. All my friends and family know not to mention any computing needs to me because they just get offered a Debian machine.I think as a society we have overproduced technology. I have a shitload of laptops.

I replaced a 10-year laptop in 2021. I probably could have eked out another year or two of use, but I don't regret getting a new computer when I did.

Did someone turn off page file?

I prefer to use a system with more RAM, but even many of today's systems are still using that amount (especially since the AI supply chain crisis).

I'd try chucking Linux on it first, which is generally more RAM efficient if configured correctly.

It's not about the age of the device, hut whether it is still meeting (or able to meet) the needs of its user(s).

If it was fully functional, would it still be meeting your needs? If yes, it's worth trying to resolve the problem(s). There are some good suggestions here for things you can try.

If the laptop wasn't really meeting your needs, or the issues the laptop is having can't be resolved, then yes it's time to replace it. (And you may not need to scrap it: sometimes an older device can be repurposed for a new job, either with you or with someone else.)

lol, my daily driver laptop is a 2016 Chromebook that was shitty even in its day, with all of 2GB of RAM.

I put Linux on it and it works great. If I can do that with 2GB, you should have no problem with 8GB.

I have a ten year old server that was once a thin client (think the precursor of mini-PCs of today). Could it be more energy efficient? Perhaps. But it's always been a good little server, and today it's my SyncThing "file server" ensuring that the latest copy of a document is always available right away on all clients. PC hardware of all kind of expensive these days, so I'm not jumping to replace it while it serves a useful purpose and the hardware is good enough for those tasks.

Maybe it can one day evolve to be a personal laptop that you don't need to share with your dad, or perhaps, a server of some kind. But what useful means is highly variable. It depends on your needs and the use cases.