I have a 2010 Mac mini which I used to use for streaming but it has been retired over Christmas. It's a bit slower video wise so while I could use it for Linux I have other HW. It will probably end up in a cupboard but what other options are there for it? What do HN folks do with their retired hardware?
Ask HN: What do you do with your older hardware?
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Re: Ask HN: What do you do with your older hardware?
#2I turned a 4gb lenovo pad into a ubuntu box to learn spark a while ago. Didn't get very far but the exp was good.
I also have a powerbook that I purchased from ebay but running xcode seems to be too slow so not sure what to do.
Re: Ask HN: What do you do with your older hardware?
#3When I was in college I remember some fellow students being overjoyed to find quality older hardware on Offerup, in order to keep up with the schoolwork we were learning, and practice on their own.
I personally find that Mac hardware holds its utility far beyond its value, and that's even recognizing that most Mac products hold value in the second-hand market.
I saw a Mac Pro 5.1 ( same generation as your mini ) on craigslist recently, refurbished, but selling for four figures.
Re: Ask HN: What do you do with your older hardware?
#4Once I no longer need my computer I try to donate it to someone. There are some charities that will fix/upgrade them and give them to someone else.
I like the reuse concept (as a general rule I buy refurbished equipment when ever I can) so if you don't need it any longer, maybe someone else would find it useful?
Re: Ask HN: What do you do with your older hardware?
#5I have an old desktop in my basement that I use as a server (web, database, NAS, music, pihole). After that, I try to find someone I know who could use old but working parts and systems and give it to them; otherwise I drop off at second-hand charity stores.
Re: Ask HN: What do you do with your older hardware?
#6When I was in college I remember some fellow students being overjoyed to find quality older hardware on Offerup, in order to keep up with the schoolwork we were learning, and practice on their own. I personally find that Mac hardware holds its utility far beyond its value, and that's even recognizing that most Mac products hold value in the second-hand market. I saw a Mac Pro 5.1 ( same generation as your mini ) on c…
> I personally find that Mac hardware holds its utility far beyond its value
I've often seen broken Macbooks and iMacs (mostly issues with screen or hinges) in the hackerspaces i've visited. Maybe it's a selection bias where the functioning hardware is resold not donated, but it doesn't exactly inspire me confidence.
It's not specific to Apple though, modern day Thinkpads are just as "bad" (but the older IBM ones will probably outlive us all).
Re: Ask HN: What do you do with your older hardware?
#7Recycle it. The cost decline and power curve doesn’t make sense to keep antiques.
Re: Ask HN: What do you do with your older hardware?
#8I have a whole shelf of broken laptops, obsolete monitors, junked hard drives, etc, that will probably still be there when I die and my heirs have to clean out my house.
Re: Ask HN: What do you do with your older hardware?
#9Piggybacking on this, but what's everyone doing with their 3g phones? My family has like 5 of them that will supposedly no longer have service in '22. Can we donate these somewhere? The newer ones can still install android apps, send and receive email, etc. I thought about donating them to a shelter but I'm not sure if they'd have a use for them.
Re: Ask HN: What do you do with your older hardware?
#10When I was in college I remember some fellow students being overjoyed to find quality older hardware on Offerup, in order to keep up with the schoolwork we were learning, and practice on their own. I personally find that Mac hardware holds its utility far beyond its value, and that's even recognizing that most Mac products hold value in the second-hand market. I saw a Mac Pro 5.1 ( same generation as your mini ) on c…
its getting pretty hard to run OSX that far back. does anyone have any recommendations for an open operating system to put on them? freebsd used to work ok, but the page that tracks it hasn't been updated in a decade.