What To Do With Old Laptops?

An anonymous reader writes "I've recently acquired a few old P2/P3 laptops. Most either work properly but are slow, or have various problems with power supplies and/or batteries. Attempting to sell them would probably earn less than the cost of shipping, so that's out of the question. I was hoping the Slashdot crowd could give me some ideas on what to do with these old computers. As somebody who already has ~10 computers lying around the house there is certainly no need for an additional computer to 'experiment' with, so I was hoping for some more creative suggestions."

Picture Frame

[NexusTw1n (580394)]

Turn them into picture frames. http://repair4laptop.org/notebook_picture_frame.html [repair4laptop.org]

Re:Picture Frame

[ShieldW0lf (601553)]

You could meet the needs of a small library by throwing a wireless card into each of them, then pick up one new desktop machine and set the laptops up as thin clients.

Find some small computer shop and get them to donate the desktop machine in exchange for a plaque on the wall at the library (cheap advertising and tax deductible donation for them), set it up over a weekend, and claim the cost of the laptops and your time as a charitable donation when you do your own taxes.

Or, of course, you could make a bunch of ugly digital picture frames that consume way too much electricity.

Re:Picture Frame

[cob666 (656740)]

Generally, in the US you cannot claim time as a charitable contribution.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf [irs.gov]

Re:Picture Frame

[thanatos_x (1086171)]

I'm glad someone thought that the picture frame idea was somewhat lacking.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) we've gotten to the point where technology, even free, is completely obsolete in 10-15 years. In a few years the cost of maintaining those systems as well as the extra electricity will probably make them more costly than a replacement. Still, if it's a few more good years, that's not bad.

What should be focused on more is safe disposal of computer equipment. We are very fast approaching the point of PC saturation. Almost everyone has a PC that wants one (in industrialized nations) and new models are very cheap. Very few people want the hassle of a PC after it's been handed down twice. (assume 5-7 years old.) Past that it's almost useless; the price, performance, size and features almost always win out for "buy new". You're going to likely be looking at 40+ million old PC/laptops disposed each year in the US alone, excluding businesses. (5 year lifespan, 2 in 3 people with a computer.)

I'd taken an old P2 200...

[HaloZero (610207)]

...I'd taken an old P2 200, flipped the screen around, threw a wireless card in it, and made a digital picture frame for my grandmother for Mother's Day two years ago. Been meaning to revisit that project. Another option is just as a heads-up display. I've got an old Compaq Presario hanging off my wall which does nothing but shell outputs of the status of my network, as well as a buffer for the latest SNMP traps. It blinks in big red text if anything goes particularly sideways (fatal trap). Took a fair bit of scripting, but it was fun.

Kids

[mrbcs (737902)]

I bought 5 thinkpads for about $50 and paid about $50 for shipping. Turned all into poor mans xo? laptops. They use less power and space than a desktop, play all my kids Jump Start programs and are easily portable.

Fix em up if you can and give em to a kids. I'm sure you could get at least a couple goin out of the pile, no?

I've put win2k on them and they seem to be fine for this purpose.

Re:Kids

[AceJohnny (253840)]

Turned all into poor mans xo laptops.

That is so ironic, considering the goal of the XO laptop...

Re:Kids

[twistedsymphony (956982)]

Cheap laptops are great to use as... cheap laptops!

I've got a few old Thinkpads (P2/P3 processors) ubuntu+firefox+wifi card and leave them sitting on the coffee table in my living room, the coffee table in my home theater room, the work bench in my garage, etc.

Watching TV and need to think of where else you know that actor? Hop online and check IMDB.

Playing a game and need a strategy guide for that boss you're having trouble with? Hop online and check gamefaqs.

Working on your car and need to look up a part number? Hop online and google it.

Cooking something and want to lookup a recipe? Hop online and google it.

They slide easily under a couch and a single power lead is easy enough to manage, not to mention you can quickly check email/banking or other online crap when you think of it instead of putting it off until you happen to be sitting back at your desk.

some of the old think pads also have IR ports and you can get software to make it into an Uber Remote for your home theater setup too.

If you're looking for something more creative then just another computer but less generic than a picture frame... P2s are powerful enough to run some older MAME games. Buy a cabinet template online, make a trip to home depot and build yourself a cocktail cabinet that plays all the old favorites from the 70s and 80s. You could probably get it done for less than $100 in materials.

Virus Farm

[Davemania (580154)]

Create a virtual virus zoo.

Re:Virus Farm

[mbeware (1171639)]

Obligatory : http://xkcd.com/350/ [xkcd.com]

So I understand you correctly . . . .

[UnknowingFool (672806)]

the real question you're asking is Will it blend?

Re:So I understand you correctly . . . .

[rah1420 (234198)]

I don't believe I'm losing mod points by answering this, but I only have a one word answer for you -

Vita-Mixer. [vitamix.com]

Re:So I understand you correctly . . . .

[geekoid (135745)]

If I am going to spend 500 dollars on a blender, it had better blend iPods and glow sticks!

Donate

[libertynow (1290554)]

Donate to a charity - there are many developing 3rd world countries that I am sure would love to get their hands on something like that.

I dare you...

[linuxpyro (680927)]

...To try to get Vista running on one of them.

Then again setting yourself on fire would probably be a much more pleasant experience.

Puppy Linux!

[TripMaster Monkey (862126)]

http://www.puppylinux.org/ [puppylinux.org]

Runs great on older systems. Just the thing to breathe new life into those old lappies.

basic services

[ArcherB (796902)]

I use old laptops for things like serving up web pages, running an FTP site, portable web-cam host, print server, file server, repeater, router or whatever other services where a power efficient, portable computer can be used. If you have it set up to run a single service or two, then performance is not going to be that big of an issue.

For a web server, for example. I install a low-overhead Linux distro with Apache, ssh and maybe vnc and copy my www directory to it. BAM! Web server! It uses less power than any of my PC's, and it allows me to reboot my "real" machine without taking the web page down.

Re:basic services + more

[halcyon1234 (834388)]

An additional feature about using a laptop as a webserver: built-in UPS. Even if the battery will only hold a few minutes of charge. Monitor the computer for a "on-battery" state, and respond accordingly. (Wait x seconds to see if the power comes back up, if not perform a clean shutdown...).

And, laptops are low-profile. Shove them in a closet or under your desk. If they'll run too hot, spend $5 and get one of those cooling-pads with fans built in. remote control the laptop server whenever you need to. If you need console access-- it has a built-in keyboard, mouse and screen.

If you can fit 2 nics in them, they'll make excellent firewall appliances. Most laptops will come with a NIC built-in. Add a second PC-MCIA nic. If they're P2/P3, they might even have a modem built in. You can add fax-capabilities onto the server. Heck, if you're ambitious enough, set it up as a PBX. Have fun automatically routing telemarketers to an eternal on-hold "Chocolate Rain" message. Automatically reply to fax-spam with Hello.JPG.

If you are going to go the donation route, then look into making a portable lab for a school. Install wireless nics on each computer, and configure them to talk nicely to a wireless router. Then donate the whole shebang to a school. Schools need a computers for a lot of students, but not necessarily all at once. A lab of 10-20 computers that can be moved room-to-room is perfect for a lesson that needs computer access in a place other than a computer lab. (Taking it into a science lab so they can run spreadsheet calculations on experiment results, eg).

If it's a P3, it should be powerful enough to make a usable HTPC out of. Most P3 laptops I've seen have TV-Out built into them. Hook them up to a TV. Transfer media files to it as needed (I assume they have a 8-12GB HDD). Alternately, slap a large-capacity USB hard drive onto it and make it double as a fileserver.

Lots of uses.

Send them to me.

[morgan_greywolf (835522)]

Send them to me. I'll find a use for them. Hell, I'll pay your shipping.

DONATE then

[Artie_Effim (700781)]

here, do this: http://www.computerswithcauses.org/ [computerswithcauses.org]

Give 'em away?

[bsDaemon (87307)]

Since OLPC seems to be voiding its own warranty, after a manner of speaking, why not stick an older Linux distro on them, like RH 7 or so, and give 'em away to some local kids who are into sci/tech but maybe don't have a lot of money?

I'm sure that relevant teachers at the local high school or something might be able to hook you up with the right kind of kids, and you maybe could get a tax deduction out of it, even if they required a tad bit of work on the power supplies or batteries I'm sure you'd still come out ahead, even if only morally.

Install Linux and give away on freecycle.org

[dajozz (306724)]

There are many folks that would really benefit from a computer with an productivity suite and Internet capabilities. Install linux and open office then give away on freecycle.org. Caveat that there is no support available.

Use them

[masdog (794316)]

I realize that you have already have a number of computers to play around with, but why not use these? Even if they are old and slow, they will still run Linux (or Windows 2000/XP/2003 if you prefer, just not as well). It will also save you a little on your monthly power bill.

Or you could ship a good one to me. I'll give it a very good home.

Low-power server?

[stokes (148512)]

I use a Kurobox (266MHz PowerPC w/ 128MB RAM) running TorrentFlux as a Bittorrent server; it functions remarkably well. I'm sure those laptops are at least as powerful as that.

Check your facts

[timeOday (582209)]

I would check ebay prices (final selling prices, not mid-auction bids) because I'm surprised you don't think they'd be worth the price of shipping. My experience is that used working laptops have surprisingly high prices because many people know they just need something simple for doing schoolwork etc. I mean, look at this [yahoo.net] (then again maybe those guys are just crazy - $930!!??). Linux should run great on those laptops. P3's in particular really are not bad computers and might even have a DVD reader.

Re:Check your facts

[CastrTroy (595695)]

I find that used laptops sell for extremely high prices, and that anybody who buys one is an idiot. You can go to walmart and get the $500 weekly special, and it will blow most used laptops out of the water, and will usually cost less. And the battery will be new. Most used laptops have a battery that's halfway to death. People assume that it must be cheaper, because it's used, but if you compare prices, you can get a pretty good laptop for really cheap. I bought an Acer 3680 for $500. Installed Mandriva. And it works great.

Myth Frontend

[tomz16 (992375)]

Front end for a myth box... most laptops have one or more video outputs, are quiet, small, and energy efficient!

Skeet Shooting

[hbean (144582)]

PULL!

Air Force

[pvt_medic (715692)]

I hear the air force is looking for some computers for a Bot Net

what i would do

[FudRucker (866063)]

i would take old laptops, install Linux on it with a bittorrent client, load it with lots of mp3 & mpeg files that make the MPAA & RIAA really angry and find a good wifi hotspot and plug the AC adapter to a spare outlet and abandon it, (be sure to wipe any fingerprints off beforehand)...

Freenet nodes!

[mmcuh (1088773)]

Install Freenet 0.7 [freenetproject.org], give it a small bandwidth allotment and a huge datastore, hook it up to your router, and keep it running. You'll be helping people all over the world to communicate securely and anonymously.

Ultimate nerd relaxation

[Oktober Sunset (838224)]

Bathtime surfing!!

and when one goes splash, just get out another.

Send one to me!

[Jason Levine (196982)]

Ok, just kidding... Well sort of. I don't know if it helps you out or not, but I know what I would do if I had an extra laptop or two lying around. I would repurpose one of them into a laptop for my 4 year old. He loves using the computer for TuxPaint and other games. I have an old computer that I set up for him, but my house's layout keeps it from being in a convenient spot for him to use. A laptop could be used by him on the couch, on the floor, in the car (while the battery lasted at least), or anywhere else. If you have any young nieces/nephews or if you have friends with young children, you could see if they want a laptop with Edubuntu installed. And speaking of Linux....

After having a laptop for my son, I would install Linux on a second spare laptop to play around with/learn Linux. Again, I'm not sure if this applies to you or not. I run Windows on all of my machines. I've wanted to try Linux out and have run a few LiveCDs (both boot-to-CD and inside VMWare), but it would be nice to have a whole system boot into Linux to try out. My two laptops are right now my work laptop (they probably wouldn't like it if I messed something up during my Linux install) and my wife's laptop (she definitely wouldn't like it if I messed something up during the Linux install). With an extra laptop, I could mess up and not really care about anything going wrong. From what I've heard, Linux shouldn't have a problem with the older systems (though I could be horribly wrong... I'm sure other users could clarify this point). So you could use one laptop as a test bed for various purposes. Get a nice system setup going, make an image of it, play around until the system is messed up, restore the image, play around some more, repeat.

Of course, if you seriously consider sending out old laptops to folks here, can I be the first in line? ;-)

Old laptops are SUPER useful

[MindPrison (864299)]

The one reason that older Laptops retain value after their life expectancy have run out is that they are complete compact computers that comes with screen, keyboard, storage ready to use right there and now.

What do I use them for?

I've refurbished one of the smallest laptops in the world (3010ct) from Toshiba (Weighs around 1.2 kg) as a lightweight practical surfing machine that I can take with me anywhere (take THAT pricey Macbook AIR!) cost me 15 dollars plus 10 bucks for the wireless CF card + adapter - downloaded some russian win 98 usb hack to give it usb powers + some wifi cf hack to give it wifi...voila...it's a fantastic Wireless surfer.

I've got a couple of nice IBM 600's that I've turned into portable Commodore 64's! Thanks to FRODO it instantly boots into a Commodore 64 within 10 seconds (take THAT you SLOW SLOOOW booting modern pcs that take 1-2 minutes to boot win xp!) This one can play all the cool games of our past years...and provide a nice prototyping platform to quickly try out some programming theories...

I've turned my Olivetti Echos 100E into a super-Eprom-Programming station! Yes - Todays modern PCs'doesnt come with Parallel or Serial ports (sure...usb is some sort of ultra fast serial port..but it doesnt work...and converterboards suck in general so...) I use this one to burn EPROMS with those nice 80-90's eprom programmers!

I've turned my other laptop into a Plotting Machine to make PCB's (Printed Circuit boards) ...yes..it's more compatible with my old style centronic port rather than those windowsy modern equivalents that absolutely wants to control all the hardware by itself... this old unit has full "dos" control and can run old "protel" software to create those Nice Direct-to-plotter pcb layouts that make the life of a nerd a bit easier and cheaper.

So yes - There's life in them old lappies still! I love'em!

Re:Bonfire

[Davemania (580154)]

Not with the current gas price

Re:Bonfire

[getto man d (619850)]

1.siphon 2.neighbors car 3.bonfire

Re:Bonfire

[bennomatic (691188)]

4. ???
5. Profit!

Re:Bonfire

[by Anonymous Coward]

I just misrepresent them on e-bay and pawn them off on some unsuspecting sucker :)

Re:Bonfire

[name*censored* (884880)]

Hey! So you're the one who sold me that "brand new core 2 duo 3 gb ram 250gb hdd 15.4" acer"!

Slashdot admins, I demand you ban this "Anonymous Coward" fellow's account. He's been nothing but trouble from day 1!

Re:Bonfire

[evanbd (210358)]

Just be glad it wasn't a bobcat [xkcd.com].

Re:Bonfire

[Z00L00K (682162)]

An environmental disaster to burn them with gasoline...

But why not build an image wall placing them side by side and play something using X-Windows.

Just install Linux with X11 on each and you have a multi-screen solution!

Re:Bonfire

[Hojima (1228978)]

I know you were trying to be funny, but it's quite sad that these things are taken for granted and put to waste. Please visit the following link for what I think to be the best use of your laptops: http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/index.php [laptopgiving.org]

Re:Use them as a server / router

[TheSpoom (715771)]

My old laptop's LCD died. This was one of many parts that had died over the last year or two, including the HDD (twice), the motherboard, and the RAM. So I got a new Asus G1 lappy which continues to serve me well.

But what to do with the old lappy? Well, it still boots up and connects to an external display... Bingo, a web server! Generally, if you're running a personal server on your home connection, as long as you're not adversely affecting your ISP's network, they won't care (or know about it). If your battery still works (mine does not, alas), you've even got a built-in UPS!

Re:Bonfire

[Clete2 (823221)]

How about turning them into a Folding @ Home farm?

Re:Bonfire

[ozmanjusri (601766)]

Fun for you and another guaranteed Slashdot mention!

Even better, install Puppy Linux and a countdown screensaver, boot it up in an airport or other public place, then walk away.

Not only will you get the laptop demolished for free, you might even make it to the real news!

Re:Digital picture frame?

[montyzooooma (853414)]

DIY projector http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/17/how-to-build-your-own-hd-projector-part-1/ [engadget.com]

Nah, thin clients.

[morgan_greywolf (835522)]

Thin clients. Install a wifi card and mount one to the wall or cabinets in your kitchen. No battery necessary. Install LTSP or similar on a server and bammo! Instant kitchen terminal.

Mount it under the cabinet

[cvd6262 (180823)]

KDE (and other window managers) makes inverting the screen trivial. mount the laptop upside down under the cabinet like one of those Bose CD players. The screen flips down like in a minivan DVD player.

Add a wireless keyboard and (as you said) bammo!

Re:Nah, thin clients.

[je ne sais quoi (987177)]

Nice idea! I was thinking the opposite: I've got an old mac laptop that I'm thinking of using as a DHCP server for some windows machines that drive some instruments that I don't want on the internet because of the security hassle. (Yeah yeah, I know windows can be made to be safe, but I have neither the time nor the inclination to learn how to do that, macs and linux are easier and I know how to do it already.) Apple makes this easy, I use the wifi connection to the local DHCP server, and then share the connection over the ethernet port to a hub.

Also, I know the submitter already has plenty of tinkering computers lying around, but I have to plug my favorite old laptop shop, ifixit [ifixit.com]. The reason I like them is because they'll sell you refurbished parts for just about any apple laptop and they have great step by step instructions full of pictures to on how to replace it. I've replaced the logic board on my titanium DVI G4 and am currently working on a powerbook lombard 400 MHz that won't recognize the battery. The nice thing about the lombard is that it's built like a tank and it's got those ports on the side that you can switch modular components out of, which means you can put two batteries in instead of a battery and a CD drive and you get something like 10 hours of battery life. Not too shabby. Also, enlighenment (e17) and debian runs great on it once you turn off the dropshadow and some of the other graphics intensive stuff, and get the wireless working.

Re:GIve it away

[crimsun (4771)]

It doesn't need to be "poor people" necessarily. Sanitising and http://www.freecycle.org/ [freecycle.org] are good starts. Granted, I presume the poster didn't get them from CL or FC...