I have some xeons in an old server running that I can't update to the next version of Rocky because the kernel won't support them :(

Someone will keep up support and you're always welcome to merge it and compile your kernel.

Use an ultra long support kernel like 6.12

But why does it need updates if it works? Just don't connect it to the Internet and you can run it until either it dies or you die.

The keyboard does look lovely. Maybe a Chromebook with Linux? I don't know what the Linux world is like for those. I'm sure you've looked at them before.

I would recommend looking into the BSD's, they have stronger support for older and unusual architectures. Something like nomadBSD, uses xfce on freeBSD

There are ultra long term support Linux kernels though.

Linux 6.12 will be supported until at least 2036 for instance.

And why do they need to use the latest Linux kernel for that hardware, again?

Or just don't connect to the public internet and continue using a kernel that works? Even with internet, the attack vectors for such a machine are nearly non existent.

I do agree. Maybe I'm little paranoid, but I feel like in some years, recycle old chips will be the only IT available

Just use NetBSD and never look back :)The notion of using Linux to revive old hardware and keep it out of the landfill may not last forever…Linux supports less old hardware than its competitors.