Hey everyone! I recently got my hands on a bunch of old work computers and I'm hoping to find some way to utilize them instead of just recycling them. Here's what I have:
- 11 Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 with Intel i3 (no SSDs)
- 1 Lenovo ThinkCentre M920q with Intel i7 vPro 8th Gen (no SSD)
- 3 Lenovo ThinkCentre M920q with Intel i7 vPro 7th Gen (no SSDs)
Since the SSDs were removed by work policy, I'm left with these machines in good shape. I don't currently have a home computer or laptop and I'd love to repurpose these for basic tasks like checking emails, web surfing, and using Microsoft Excel/Word. My partner also needs something for music recording and editing, which might be a bit more demanding.
Is it worth it to buy SSDs for all of these machines to get them up and running? Do I have to get an SSD for each one, or should I just focus on one? Or is it best to just recycle everything? I also wonder if I could combine parts from these computers to create a more powerful setup. Any advice would be super helpful! Thanks!
3 Answers
You should definitely utilize those parts! I often buy old systems like these to refurbish and resell. You can find SSDs pretty cheap, typically between $20-$50 depending on size and specs. Consider a small repair shop if you don’t feel like tinkering with them yourself.
If you're considering software options, I'd recommend trying out a Linux distribution like Ubuntu. The M920q should handle it pretty well, and it’s free! Plus, there are tons of resources online to help you get started. But if you prefer Windows, the 8th gen can manage it too, although installation might require some tweaks for older hardware.
Absolutely, you can definitely make good use of those PCs! I suggest keeping the M920q with the 8th gen i7; it's powerful enough to run Windows 11. The older ones could be perfect for experimenting with Linux or even transforming them into a retro gaming machine. Lots of tutorials on YouTube to guide you on that!
So should I just buy one SSD for the M920q and recycle the rest? Or should I think about combining parts to build a better overall machine?
I’m a bit lost on the details. If I get an SSD, what are the steps to install it and set up the OS?