If you’ve bought or received a newdesktop PC, you may be wondering what to do with the one you already have. You can disassemble and sell theold components, or you might even consider throwing away your olddesktopsetup. However, before you drive to your local electronics recycling center, you might want to think about holding onto your old desktop. I’ve been thinking of ways to transform my hardware as it ages, and here’s what I’m considering with my old desktop as soon as I get a new one.
My old laptop has a new life as a Chromebook, and it was the easiest DIY upgrade
Finally, a use for your old laptop lying in a drawer somewhere.
1Use an emulator to create your own gaming system
Make your old desktop a home arcade machine
I’ve always wanted a stand-up arcade machine in my home. Unfortunately, due to cost and the size constraints of my apartment, it’s not going to happen anytime soon. However, I can turn my old desktop into one, and depending on how much I want to dedicate to the project, I could even create a small housing for the desktop to give it that old arcade machine feel.
Even the slowest of old desktops will have enough power to run many of the classic arcade games, as well as games from more modern systems such as the Nintendo 64 and SNES. You will need a bit more power to get an emulator running for more graphically intensive systems such as the GameCube and PlayStation 2, but most desktops produced in the past five years should be able to handle these systems as well with ease.
The Delta emulator is now fully optimized for iPad including Split View and Handoff
Play classic Nintendo games in full screen on your iPad with the latest update.
The world of emulation is as open-ended as it is complex. There are a lot of different emulators out there, and the same goes for ROMs. If you’re looking for an easy way to get started with emulation, I would recommend checking out something like Emulation Station, which can be a useful way to learn about emulation and get started with your favorite games.
2Create a home media server
Quit paying for streaming and create your own platform
Plex has been around for nearly two decades, and it’s arguably the most accessible it’s ever been right now. There’s a wide range of tutorial videos, forum answers, and guides on how to set up a Plex server, but when it comes to hardware, an old desktop is perfect. Once you have your desktop set up with Plex, you can use any of the various ways to remotely access your desktop to access your Plex server from a wide range of devices.
What does Plex actually do? Here’s how to get started streaming with it
Here’s everything you need to know about Plex, the customizable streaming service and media player.
Everything you need to know to get started with a Plex server can be found onPlex’s quick start guide. If you are familiar with Linux, you can push your Plex server further, but Plex on Windows functions perfectly fine for my own use-cases, which is hosting a library of movies to watch on my TV.
3Create your own home security camera
A low-cost alternative to an expensive security system
It’s cheaper than ever to set up your own security cameras, but if you already have an old desktop and a webcam lying around, you can make your own home security camera for free. There are a few different free applications you can install to do this – I’ve usediSpyConnectin the past and would recommend it to anyone looking for an easy-to-use free security camera application that runs well on older desktops.
This also works great on an old laptop thanks to the built-in webcam, but a desktop with a USB-powered webcam connected to a desktop will work all the same. Different programs will have different functions, and some require a subscription service to access things like remote viewing and access to multi-camera setups. Ultimately, whichever software you decide to pick will come down to your personal needs, but for me, iSpyConnect’s Agent DVR offers what I would want to do with my old desktop, security camera wise.
If you need security with night vision, this new eufy camera fits the bill
The eufyCam S3 Pro has a lot of great features to start off your home security journey, but is it worth the hefty price tag?
4Try out a new operating system
Install a lightweight operating system and use your old desktop as a learning tool
Depending on the size of your old desktop, it could make for a great guest computer or a secondary computer. If you’ve ever been curious about Linux-based operating systems or a lightweight operating system such as Chrome OS, now would be a perfect time to carve out time to play around on your old desktop. There’s a wide range of lightweight Linux distros you can choose from, or you can pick something like Chrome OS, which has a significantly easier learning curve than Linux.
I have a lot of family and friends that come to visit throughout the year, and I like having a second computer in my guest room so that anyone staying can quickly look things up, draft an email, or get some work done while staying with me. The good news is that it’s free to install Chrome Flex and most Linux distros on your old Windows desktop, so you can get everything set up and running in no time.
I took Chrome and Edge for a spin, and one came out miles ahead
Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome both offer top-notch browsing experiences, but I’m especially partial to one.
5Donate processing power for scientific research
Help researchers solve equations and research diseases with your old desktop
By engaging with the BIONIC projects and projects like this, your old desktop can take on a new purpose that might even contribute to saving someone’s life.
