Ubuntu is highly likely to fully support your old laptop and is probably the simplest thing that might work. On the other hand if you want to make tinkering aro

Ubuntu is highly likely to fully support your old laptop and is probably the simplest thing that might work. On the other hand if you want to make tinkering around to fix Linux a new hobby, Arch is probably the simplest thing that might work. If you want to do something impactful with your old laptop, auction it on Ebay and give all the proceeds to a food bank. Good luck.