10 ways to reuse or reuse an old laptop computer

I tend to replace my own laptops every three to five years, but most of the time the old machine is still completely used. This means that I need to determine what to do with it or ultimately risk under a pile of laptops.

The good news is that there is always something useful that you can do with an old laptop that does not include contributing to the waste dump in a place, and I have ten suggestions for you to lock and download.

10

Server

If you have thought about running a file Plexand cellOr Impatory The server or currently runs it on the same computer you use for other things, the old backup laptop can be the perfect solution for a customized server.

For a long time, I used the M1 MacBook Pro with a broken touch bar as my PLX server, until I moved to Mini-PC for this purpose.

Point computers are a great solution because you get a screen, keyboard and mouse in one system. You can prepare it next to your router for direct Etternet connection and the best possible performance, or hide it somewhere in a wardrobe where you can still access it easily for maintenance. The USB 3 axis and a few external hard drives will sort to store media, and if it is moderately new, the laptop must handle coding without breaking the sweat.

9

Poable, cut off head

One of the most fragile parts of the laptop is the screen. The detailed is a common failure point, and there are a lot of sensitive cables and other components that can lead to screen failure, with repair costs that do not make it worth time. However, you still have a completely functional computer, just lose the work screen.

So you can simply establish the laptop and use it as a desktop computer with a separate set of peripheral devices, or you can move along the road and convert it to “Slabtop” where you remove the screen and continue to use the rest of the computer connected to an external screen.

Although this seems more popular with MACS, there is no reason that you are not able to perform the same process on a non -MAC laptop.

8

Home

Most home security systems now use IP cameras and other networks connected to the network. Many of these systems also depend on cloud storage and even imposing subscription fees on this privilege.

If you have a computer for operating your cameras and other safety devices with appropriate desktop software, you can provide yourself with some long -term money, avoid privacy problems from sending your data over the network, and resist each of the power and internet interruptions for home safety.

7

Make it people

Speaking of cloud storage, I already reach 4 terabytes of things and not cheap! Many technology fans, at least in my circle, have begun to collect their NAS solutions, but DIY can without spending hundreds of dollars on NAS systems that have been built for this purpose.

Instead, you can only take this old laptop, link it to a set of hard drives, and install the program you need to convert it to NAS. You may even have some tablets that you can use already and that you can use, so for all you have now all the parts you need to build NAS, and you can upgrade them over time.

6

Build preparation for reactionary games

Return games are all anger, as they should be. After all, all the best games that have been made ever in the past, not the present!

If you have an old laptop, you will not need anything else, you have almost unlimited options to convert it into a type of reactionary game system. Any laptop has adequate performance to play old games, and this includes 3D games of 2000 or before, and possibly games from Xbox 360 era, if they contain decent integrated graphics.

You can create a home archaeqa cabinet around the device, or connect it to a CRT and download it using a suitable operating system to play some classic computer games. The world is your reactionary oysters.

5

Use it to automate the house

Many home automation solutions depend on the cloud and all you really have done is payment against devices in your home, while the real “intelligence” resides elsewhere. Well, if you are using home automation solutions like House assistant or OpenHAB (To naming but two) You can get the brains of automating your home in your home where it belongs.

These programs are adequately gained to run something like Raspberry PI, so the old laptop may be strong enough to deal with your home automation needs and something else, such as being a Plex or NAS server.

4

Make the seed box

Many people use BitTorrent technology, although a parallel to a counterpart, thanks to its attachment to piracy. The fact is that the torch is completely legal, and is often the best way to distribute files. Especially when it comes to open source programs, or public projects such as Internet archive.

If you want to contribute to these projects, or if you want to save files through BitTorrent, the seed box is your best bet. You can rent one online for a few dollars per month, but if you have a backup computer, you can prepare it as custom seeds, which is not more difficult than creating a torrent and hosting the file on your computer, while we hope that some other people will also start hosting it to take out the frequency range.

3

Take HTPC out of it

Yes, we all have smart TVs and flow boxes now, but there are still some good reasons for HTPC, including the ability to store and operate really high -quality high -quality media that will be difficult to broadcast even through your local network of something like the PLX server.

If you have a laptop that can run it comfortably with closing the cap, it can accurately slide to your TV holder while using the wireless and mouse keyboard to control it. Next, you can start exploring the HTPC program, and all the amazing things you can do as soon as you are free from the walled gardens represented by pre -boxes and smart TVs.

2

Are DIY projects?

I have already mentioned some things in this list that are “DIY” projects, such as converting a laptop into a corridor, but along with fun games like Arduino, you can enjoy building, coding or making other tools that can use the computer in essence to work.

You can create a weather station, use it to learn coding, try new operating systems, prepare home registration for podcasts, or only about any hobby or project that can use a somewhat strong computer. It is also an opportunity to dismantle the laptop itself and use ingredients for other DIY projects, such as rebuilding it to a three -dimensional printed issue.

1

Set as a computer with three -dimensional printing computer

I have two three -dimensional printers now, so Technically I think I have a small print farm at home. I use MacBook mainly to run SLICERS and store files for these devices, but if I have an old spare computer, my way will come, I think I want to devote them to 3D printing machines, so I can keep all other digital files, programs and necessities in one place.

If you are a type (laser cut, Cricut, 3D printer, etc.), I think it will be really appropriate to have one computer that deals with all this work. Especially if there are many people in the end using these machines. When someone needs something printed in my house, it should pass through my personal Mac, and this becomes old.

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You have always been in your mind that you could not really get a lot of computers, and that there is a job for each of them now from where to look. The operating laptop is a gift, so it is not the latest and the fastest thing about it. Even if you don’t have the benefit of it, there is a very good chance for someone else, and if it is just good like scrap, you should come up with responsibility.