Installing Linux on old laptops can be a real challenge sometimes. I've done it with 10+ old computers and driver inconsistencies can be a huge time sink.
It was usable though, albeit very slow.
The really old stuff, if it still runs, that might be hell. You wouldn't want someone to do video-calls on it anyway.
I've been installing various distro flavours on old laptops for a long time, and the experience only gets better. Personally, I can't remember the last time I had to struggle with a driver. I think the Dell I've got is from 2008, running Mint without issue.
There are so many old/used computers out there that are capable of doing everything the average person needs, the people just don't know it. I had an acquaintance buy a $2500 computer to take some community college programming courses, because he thought you need a powerful computer to "run programs".
Meanwhile, I'm over here earning a living on a t450s I bought for $300.