Old laptops seemingly past their best can be given a new lease of life serving a variety of new purposes, says MakeUseOf.
A sluggish or older machine can have Linux installed on it, giving it a performance boost that allows it to serve as a secondary computer, or a dedicated machine for coding, web browsing, or online learning, and also teaches the user terminal operations and file management skills.
It can also be used as a network-attached storage (NAS) device, giving the owner their own cloud storage while also protecting their privacy, with TrueNAS installed and storage set up.
Alternatively, it can be used to host a Plex Server, ripping media from CDs and DVDs to populate a movie and music collection and turning the laptop into a streaming platform.
An old laptop can also be transformed into a smart home server, controlling and automating routines of smart devices around the home.
Such transformations are an example of innovative ways to reuse technology, saving the owner money, and reducing electronic waste.
