I am still running a pair of 32 bit Thinkpads, a T60 (12 years old)? and a R60 (12 years old) .
The T60 (2Ghz, 2gB ram, 80GB HDD)? i updated to win10 without issue. it is running JMRI 4.14 under Java 1.8.0_191. DecoderPRo and Withrottle are the
main uses. For the longest time it remained on Win XP.
The R60 (1.66Ghz, 1MB ram, 60GB HDD)? is still WIN XP.? The R60 is on JAVA 1.8.0_151 and is currently running JMRI 4.14. it will run WiThrottle server without issue.? It loads JMRI DecoderPro and is ready to work in less time than the T60 running Win10. Main use is DecoderPro and Withrottle.
Once up and running there is very little difference between the two, if any. DecoderPro and Withrottle do not make high demands on the system at all.? PanelPro with detection, a bunch of turnouts, signals may, I've run the OPERATION Pro? demo on these without issue.
Short on funds, I would continue with what you have.
Other low cost option is a Raspbery Pi.. but apart 64 bit, it is probably as fast as your Acer Aspire.
?
Marc
