5 ways you can put an old laptop to use to improve your productivity

Many of us have old laptops lying around that aren’t being used, but which we’re hesitant to part with. While there are multiple ways to repurpose an old laptop, you can also incorporate it into your workflow or around the home to improve your productivity. Whether you need a second display or a distraction-free video-conferencing device, here are some ways that an old laptop can really come in handy.

Use it as a second display

Windows lets you turn a laptop into a wireless display

One of the easiest ways you can repurpose an old laptop is to use it as a second display. If you only have one screen, adding another display can seriously enhance your productivity.

Window 10 and 11 laptops include the ability to use the device as a wireless display. However, you need to enable this feature in the Optional Features app and then use the Connect App to make the display discoverable.

On your primary device, you can then use the Project feature to duplicate or extend your display. In order for this to work, your devices need to support Miracast.

This is a great use for old laptops, even if your device is too old for Windows 11, you can still use the feature on Windows 10 while projecting from a Windows 11 device. I tested this with my old Razer Blade Stealth laptop and my current Asus Zenbook.

You can also technically connect the old laptop to a device using an HDMI cable, but this requires the use of a capture card since most laptops only have an HDMI output port and no HDMI input port.

Use it as a dedicated video conferencing laptop

Hold meetings without distractions

It can be difficult to keep focused on your work when you have access to numerous distractions through your web browser. If you want to create a distraction-free productivity device, using an old laptop is a cost-effective way to get this done.

You can optimize the OS to uninstall any unnecessary distractions, while configuring your browser profile to only save logins to work-related apps. You can also install the video conferencing software you use the most for your meetings. Naturally, this works best with a laptop with a decent webcam.

You can also try out some productivity apps for note-taking if you need to record notes during your meetings. If you need to record video for your meetings but don’t have access to the feature (which is often behind a paywall or has storage limitations), you can use free recording software such as OBS.

Set up a home lab

A laptop is a good start for an entry-level home lab

If you’re building your first home lab, an old laptop is a convenient way to start without investing in additional hardware. Creating a home lab with your old laptop will allow you to tinker with programs and try different operating systems without worrying about impacting your main PC. This is a great way to upskill and learn about different software.

However, there are certain things you should keep in mind if you plan to use an old laptop for your home lab. You’ll likely be more limited when it comes to upgrading your hardware, depending on your laptop. You’ll also need to keep an eye on the heat that the laptop generates.

And while some people like the idea of a built-in UPS in terms of the laptop’s battery, keeping the laptop on charge 24/7 degrades the battery over time. Home lab enthusiasts recommend removing the laptop’s battery if you plan to use it for your home lab.

Host Home Assistant on your old laptop

Your old laptop can become a smart home hub

While many people choose to host Home Assistant on a Raspberry Pi or use the plug-and-play Home Assistant Green, you can also install Home Assistant on an old laptop. While this doesn’t make your workflow more productive, it improves the productivity of your smart home.

This works best with low-power laptops, as you don’t want your hub to be responsible for a rising electricity bill. You will also need to run a virtual machine on your laptop where you install the Home Assistant OS. It’s important to note that running Home Assistant directly on Windows is not available.

But if you’re willing to put in the effort to get Home Assistant up and running, you can enjoy a range of smart home benefits, such as managing smart devices from your PC across ecosystems.

Use it as a central file server

There are simple and more advanced solutions

If you have an extra laptop lying around, you can use its storage to create a central file server where you share files with your household. For a really simple solution, simply turn on network discovery and file sharing on Windows and share a central folder with your Local Area Network (LAN). This is the quickest way to set up file sharing across your household with minimal effort.

You can also use software solutions to turn your old PC into a NAS if you want more advanced drive management. However, it’s important to be aware of the constraints of a laptop when using it for storage. After all, they tend to have more limited space and less expandable storage than your typical PC or NAS setup.

Enhance your productivity by repurposing an old laptop

Sometimes an old laptop is so outdated or worn out that the only thing to do with it is send it to an e-waste facility. But there are plenty of ways to use your old laptop in a way that improves your productivity. Some uses will only take a few minutes to set up, while others require a more significant time investment. But all of these solutions can help breathe new life into your old tech.

Source Info:https://www.xda-developers.com/productive-uses-old-laptop/