Welcome to Computers for Radio!

[KX4QC]

"Write what you know" is often good advice, so don't be surprised if I write more about Linux than Windows or Mac, because that Is what I use most.
Yes, I also run Win XP thru 11 and Mac. Good in their way, but....

Linux is an operating system that runs on the same hardware as Windows, either instead of Windows or alongside it. It can be a fine way to "rejuvenate" an older computer, as it needs only 100GB of storage and at most 4GB of RAM.

It's free, as in beer, as are its apps. Yes they very much include Amateur Radio. Logging, WSJT-X, RTTY, digital modes, SSTV, digital voice, electronic and antenna design...

Linux comes in many varieties, or "distros", each tailored for particular groups of users. IMHO, "Linux Mint. Cinnamon flavor" is a good one to start with. There's lots about it at https://linuxmint.com/.

A summary of many other distros is at http://distrowatch.org/

Click the YouTube about Linux Mint at https://youtu.be/499jqHWZ-Ts

And there's lots more about many aspects of Linux at https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Linux

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Tux, the Linux penguin.