I recently got my hands on a Dual-Core laptop from my dad, who doesn't need it anymore. It's got an i5 6200U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 500GB HDD. I'm thinking about boosting its performance by adding a cheap 240GB SSD and swapping the 8GB RAM for 16GB that I already have. Since I already have a powerful gaming desktop, I'm looking for suggestions on how to make the best use of this secondary laptop so it doesn't just collect dust. I'm open to any ideas!
5 Answers
You could also turn it into a "smart monitor" with a software KVM switch. Programs like Barrier can help you control it from another computer. Just make sure you've got a reliable Ethernet connection, as that's way faster than WiFi. If you're planning to connect via cable, it'll work great with those KVM applications.
Absolutely! Using Ethernet will provide a stable connection, which is perfect for KVM use.
Another idea is to install a Debian server and set up Nextcloud. This way, you'll have your own private cloud storage, kind of like Dropbox!
One cool option is to turn it into a home server! You could set it up with media server software like Plex or Jellyfin to stream your movies and shows.
But I don't really see how a home server would fit into my setup since I already have external HDDs connected to my main desktop. I'm actually more interested in maybe running a game server, like Minecraft. Do you think the laptop's hardware is too weak for that?
It's definitely possible to run a basic game server on that setup! Just keep your expectations in check—for lighter games, it should be just fine.
If you find that the laptop isn't really serving a big purpose for you, consider donating it to a local women's shelter or a low-cost PC program. It could really help someone in need!
If you're into experimenting, you could install an Android-based OS like Phoenix OS. It can breathe new life into your laptop and make it a fun little tablet-like device!
That's a neat idea! I was considering getting a USB-Ethernet adapter to use with my main rig. Would that work smoothly with the KVM software? I prefer a wired connection.