Did you know the worldwide gaming industry could be worth $504.9 billion by 2030?
Meanwhile, around half of Europeans aged six to 60 play video games. So, if you live in the UK, there’s a good chance you’re a gamer.
But what should you do if you are in the market for a gaming laptop? Is it a good idea to toss out your old laptop or can you do something else with it?
Statista reports that the laptop penetration rate in the U.K. was 76%, or almost eight in 10 people, in 2021. While you might choose to get rid of an antiquated machine when investing in a gaming laptop, there are options on the table should you wish to keep it for the time being.
Consider these six ways to repurpose an old computer when upgrading to a gaming laptop.
1. Turn It Into a Monitor
One option to repurpose your old machine is to turn it into an external monitor. That can come in useful if you’re gaming and want to enhance the feel of the game by using multiple screens.
But turning your old laptop into an extra monitor can be useful in other ways. You can use it when streaming, doing work, or for other things.
2. Turn It Into a Streaming Device
As of the end of last year, 18.8 million UK households, or 65.4% of them, had access to streaming subscription services. While that’s down a smidgen from 19.3 million households in September 2023, there are still many households using streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, NOW, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Paramount.
If you enjoy streaming, consider using your old laptop as a streaming device. As long as the machine has the specs needed for enjoyable viewing, it’s a good way to give an old laptop a new lease on life.
Whether you use the old laptop as is or attach it to a TV with an HDMI cable, an old laptop can continue to offer something of value.
3. Give It to a Child
Yet another option is to pass it along to one of your kids. If you have a small child who doesn’t necessarily need a computer, giving them a used one will make their day. They can use it for age-appropriate internet access, simple games, and other activities.
You may wish to limit access to the internet to safeguard your child from possible danger. An old laptop might be all they need for sending emails or working on assignments.
4. Turn It Into a Chromebook
Chromebooks are simple. They’re web-focused machines that run Google’s Chrome operating system. If all you need from the old laptop is internet access for email, social media, and other leisure activities, you can repurpose it by turning it into a Chromebook. You can download the Chrome operating system to accomplish this.
5. Use It for Storage
Even if the old laptop no longer meets your needs, you can find something to do with it. One option is to use it as an external hard drive.
No one likes to lose important documents, which is why it’s essential to back things up. Turning your old laptop into a storage device can help ensure you don’t lose the digital files you need.
6. Use It to Store MP3 Files
Another way to repurpose an old laptop is to store your MP3 files on it. You can store MP4 files as well. Chances are that even an old machine will have sufficient storage capacity for your music and videos.
If you want a gaming laptop to replace your old laptop, think twice before getting rid of the old machine. Consider one or more of these ways to repurpose it so it doesn’t end up in a landfill.
