Windows 10 and 11 are resource hogs. They rely heavily on TPM chips and require significant RAM just to idle. Windows 8.1 Lite runs buttery smooth on hardware that would choke on Windows 11. If you are reviving a laptop from 2012-2015, 8.1 Lite is objectively "better" for performance.
You are vulnerable to new exploits that remain unpatched. windows 81 lite x64 better