Before Linux Lite

[Nyto]

I have been away from Linux for almost 10 years. The last distro I used was Freespire.

In the old days laptops would never last but now I have an 8 year old Acer 10 inch that works fine but not with Windows.

Ah, Freespire, the former Linspire from the former Lindows.
Remember Lindows?  It was doing OK, until Microsuck sued the sh*t out of them   .."because it was misleading potential customers to believe they were getting Windoze XD
...sometimes judges are sooo stupid...