I am thinking of using an old XP Netbook to load Kali Linux. I want to completely overwrite the Windows XP operating system. The machine has about a gig of ram. Slow, but I'd like to use the old machine for something since it's just lying around.

Any thoughts on whether this might be a terrible idea? Most of me says it's a terrible idea, but I just can't seem to talk myself out of it.

I originally wanted to turn the machine into a WAMP, but then I learned about security and why that was an awful idea.

Note: I am new to much of this world; the programming experience I have extends to a novice understanding of GML (Game Maker Language). I know some Python, and some Ruby. I'd like to improve upon my entire skill set, and Kali seems like the best window to begin doing so. I just don't want to dual boot my primary machine.