Please note that Windows 8.1 is no longer supported. And if the laptop cannot handle Windows 11 10 will no longer be supported in one year, switching to Linux may be a good option. If you want some recommendations on which one could be good I can tell you to
If he only wants a browser and something to open files, ChromeOS Flex could also be an option.
Yes, that is also feasible. But that is technically simply Linux, and I’m not sure if it will be that much better for an average user than something like Linux Mint.
I completely forgot about Linux Mint, which is a terrific option. I was wondering about KDE and GNOME-based distros; normally, based on my experience, chromeos appears a bit more polished and lightweight, but Mint could be even better.
Yeah, I believe KDE and GNOME utilize more RAM and CPU than something like Cinnamon, though it appeared great when I tried it on an 11-year-old laptop running Debian. However, this could be overly complicated, so it is unlikely to be the best option. Although I have never experienced Chromeos, if it truly requires less performance, it could be fascinating to install it on a laptop.
Is that the Presario CQ58? A Cambridge academy where I studied a few months back has one of those (currently running Windows 7 Ultimate but hoping to install Windows 8 Core so I can sideload Metro programs and games using wsservice_crk).
Do you have one of those, too? My grandfather gave me this one as a gift for a grandson. He is quite cool.
Media center or retro-emulation machine. Turn it into an arcade cabinet.
Linux is not a horrible choice for outdated hardware. Especially if you want an operating system that is still updated and supported.
I don’t even use Linux, but if I had outdated hardware, such as a 12-year-old laptop running an out-of-date version of Windows, and I only needed to do online fundamentals like browse the internet and didn’t require any specific applications for gaming or work/usage. I will be installing Linux myself…
There’s nothing wrong about suggesting it.
Windows 10 and 11 works absolutely fine without major tweaks.
Sigh, another Linux fanboy riding Linus’s dick.
Windows 10 will not be supported after next year.
Windows 11 demands a lot of CPU power, which might be an issue for older machines. And they officially do not support them.
Linux Mint 22 will be supported until 2029 and operates far better than Windows on older systems.
Same with Pop_OS!
This is not an issue of whether you prefer Linux or Windows. This is a question about whether a laptop can run it, how well it operates, and how long it will be supported.
I am not sure why you detest Linux so much, but it has a place in this discourse.
Windows 11 does not give over. 
I’ve been using 11 since it was released and have had no troubles. Not to say they won’t, but everyone is quick to criticize it.
You’re also making the presumption that I despise Linux, which I primarily use for development.
What I despise are Linux “enthusiasts” that behave like Vegans and “push” their worldview on others without considering their requirements.
Who cares whether pop_OS! is supported till 2029, unless you are a server technician or run a system that requires such support?
A player who plays newer Call of Duty titles may be unable to convert to Linux.
A developer with design software that only runs on macOS and Windows and won’t run across WINE and other similar programs may be unable to transition to Linux.
I have used Windows 11 since its release without issues, but people quickly criticize it. Windows 11 needs at least 4GB of RAM and uses more power than other systems like Bazzite with KDE. While my CPU usage on Windows 11 was around 8% idle, it’s about 4% on Bazzite while multitasking.
A major flaw in Windows 11 was recently discovered, and it’s unclear if a fix will be available for Windows 10 users. I mostly use Linux for development, and I don’t dislike Linux itself, but I do dislike Linux fans who push their views on others without considering their needs. Not everyone can switch to Linux, especially gamers and creators tied to software that doesn’t run well on Linux.
The original poster uses an old laptop (Windows 8.1, 4GB RAM, AMD E1-1200) better suited for basic tasks. Linux could make their experience smoother. Until Linux becomes as compatible as Windows, it will remain niche. Both systems have pros and cons, and ignoring the benefits of Linux or Windows isn’t fair.