this post was submitted on 28 Dec 2025
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What should I do with 2 old machines (Mac Mini and HP Pavilion g7)? (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 days ago by rageagainstmachines@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.world
3 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/40805695

I have two machines:

  • 2014 Mac Mini
  • HP Pavilion g7

Mac Mini 2014:

Very slow, probably can no longer be updated, nor can it run worthwhile programs.

HP Pavilion g7

Extremely bulky, chunky, and doesn't even turn on unless it's plugged in. It's basically a desktop since the battery doesn't hold a charge.

I put Linux on it (Mint I think) a few months ago as a weekend experiment.

Question:

What should I do with them? Are they worth salvaging? Should I simply donate or recycle them?

I was thinking I could use at least one of them as a home media server or something so that I can disconnect my Smart TV from the internet, but I'm not sure if they will hold or how I would even control them from my phone (Android) if I'm sitting on the couch.

Open to all ideas. I'm somewhat technical (perhaps far less than the Lemmy community), but I don't know much about Linux or the command line unless I'm given step by step instructions on how to do something.

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[–] maya@piefed.blahaj.zone 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I use a 2014 mac mini as my main server lol. I replaced the HDD with an off the shelf SATA SSD, installed fedora server, and I now have a compact nextcloud and forgejo host :3

[–] maya@piefed.blahaj.zone 4 points 3 days ago

The thing also has an IR receiver, so it could potentially make a good kodi box, but I have not looked into that.

[–] BartyDeCanter@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

If I had those, here's what I would do:

First, for both an optional but nice quality of life improvement would be to replace the HDDs with SSDs. Boot up and file access times will be much snappier.

Mac Mini

Congratulations! You have a nice foundation for a home server running linux. You could plug in a USB RAID of some sort ( example) and go full pirate running the *arr stack. You could set it up as a HTPC using the IR receiver with Kodi and whatever adapter is needed for your TV. You could set up a developers server, running git and whatever tool you find useful. You could set up https://nextcloud.com/ and self host most of the necessities of modern productivity. Or all of the above.

HP Pavilion G7

Congratulations! You have a great dedicated low-distraction writing and working machine. I have a pair of similar, though slightly lower end, laptops. I got a replacement battery for one of them from Ali, and run a minimal Debian + i3 setup on it. It's great for taking with me to write, whether code, gaming notes, creative writing or whatever else. The modern web is pretty terrible on it, which takes away a ton of distractions, but still usable enough if I need it in a pinch. I also have it set up for music, both local mp3s and streaming from my home server. It also runs a ton of classic games through DOSBOX. My other one I use as a sandbox, testing out alternative OSs, weird setups and whatnot. I haven't upgraded its HDD or battery yet, but my older daughter is wanting to type more when writing due to being left handed, so I'm thinking about setting it up as a dedicated machine for her.