New Zealand firm unveils eco-friendly OS for older computers

Windows 10 is approaching its end-of-life date, which has spurred a new initiative aimed at extending the usability of older computers. Kauricone has developed a new operating system named Interface, targeted at preventing the disposal of potentially millions of functional PCs and laptops.

The New Zealand-based company's founder, Mike Milne, was driven by concerns about the environmental impact and the practicality of discarding operational hardware. "This is a brand-new lightweight, secure, and efficient operating system, requiring a fraction of the compute and memory requirements demanded by bloated modern operating systems," he indicated.

Kauricone is recognised for its machine learning technology and sustainable server solutions. Milne stated that Interface continues the company's efforts to deliver low-cost, impactful computing by making older computers viable again. Interface aims to operate efficiently on systems that no longer meet the high requirements of newer operating systems such as Windows 11.

"We’ve stripped down the PC to its essentials. Where a Microsoft Windows 11 install consumes 24GB of hard drive, Interface requires just 2GB - and that includes productivity applications," Milne specified. According to Milne, the operating system could potentially extend the life of up to 250 million computers worldwide.

The release of Interface is particularly timely, given that Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 in October 2025. This change is estimated to make around 1 million computers in New Zealand and 250 million globally redundant. "That’s incredibly bad for the environment, made worse when considering there is nothing wrong with these devices beyond software incompatibility," Milne remarked.

Milne highlighted that Interface could provide these computers with an additional five to ten years of useful life. The operating system is designed for refurbished and ex-lease fleet machines and is expected to appeal primarily to environmentally conscious and budget-sensitive groups. This includes educational institutions, small businesses, non-profits, and charities.

"Interface has a very fast learning curve - not like Linux. You can use all your programs from just three screens," Milne assured. Users can either upgrade their existing computers at a Kauricone reseller or purchase refurbished laptops or PCs pre-installed with Interface.

Interface comes with several pre-installed applications, including Firefox browser, Folder Manager, open-source LibreOffice, and the GIMP graphic design program. Additionally, a developer suite is available for those looking to customise their software experience.

Beyond its eco-friendly appeal, Interface is designed for versatile use, covering browser-based Software as a Service applications, education, and lightweight computing tasks like word processing and spreadsheets. A variety of pre-tested hardware is available to ensure compatibility with Interface. Among these are the HP T520 Thin Client (AMD), Lenovo ThinkCentre (i5 Intel), Toshiba Portege laptop (i7 Intel), and Samsung Ultrabook (i7 Intel), among others.

Milne noted that Interface is also compatible with brand-new hardware. When installed by a reseller, the operating system, along with its bundled applications, is priced at NZD $57.50 including GST. "And it will run quite happily on just 4GB RAM and a 32GB disk, demonstrating the very wide range of older hardware which can get a new lease of life with an appropriate operating system and applications," he mentioned.

Interface is steadily entering the local market, with four resellers already appointed. Kauricone's initiative focuses on operators involved in upgrading and refurbishing computers, who acknowledge the obsolescence and waste problem. "If we’re going to get real about saving the planet, there’s a lot the IT industry can do. Too much hardware is given short shrift thanks to ever-expanding software requirements. With Interface, we’re saying enough is enough - let’s put perfectly good computers back into classrooms and offices, rather than poisoning the environment with yet more waste," Milne concluded.