[tacticalogic]

There is some logic to that.

Agreed, but the question is whether you would do it. You have to weigh that against the downside, which in a lot of cases means telling someone that an aging or low-end computer they'd like to try out Linux on that they should just throw it away and wait until they can afford something better.

So given that, would you do it?

[zeugma]

I would, because it would give additional htility for almost no cost. I've personally seen computers that wouldn't even install windows from legitimate media due to alleged memory issues that readily took linux and ran well with it for years. Why? I have no idea. I suspect linux was more forgiving of the errors the memory was reporting. I personally think linux is a better solution than windows for the vast majority of users, but it is a decision the user has to make. If someone has some older hardware, and would like to save up for a Mac, they'd probably do well with something like Mint, which they won't have to fiddle with while they wait until they can afford a better system. Or they can just get something kike a Mac mini, which is relatively inexpensive, and will give them trouble-free comuting for years.