I’ve seen a lot recently on a used PC. Previously, I only had one computer, but since this computer was priced very aggressively and I wanted an additional computer, I didn’t give it up. In this article, we’ll look at 10 possible options for using an additional computer.
Here are some of the more popular uses for a secondary computer that might just collect dust, as well as a few unconventional uses that you might not have considered.
1. Additional PC
1. An additional computer
If you only have one primary computer in your home (or several) and you are often behind it, you might just consider adding an additional PC to your home. Especially for people who have families or their own houses with several rooms and a large area. It can be convenient to place multiple computers around the house so that you don’t have to carry a laptop with you, or if you have a desktop computer as your primary computer, you have to go to the computer room every time to use a PC.
In modern technology-based homes, people even install computers in garages and kitchens.
2. Media server / file server
2. Media server / file server
If you already have a multi-user home with multiple computers, you can simply set up an additional computer as a media server or file server. Check out my previous post on 7 programs to turn your PC into a streaming media server
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As a media server, you can store all your music, videos, photos and other files on your PC, share them with other home computers, and even stream media files to your TV. The PC will serve as a centralized place to store your videos, music and photo library.
As a file server, you can share files, folders, documents, etc. with all (or some) computers in your home, or even over the Internet. This makes it very convenient for simple file sharing, but it also makes it easy to transfer computer files or data from one computer to another on your home network or to others remotely, without having to burn discs or use USB drives.
3. HTPC
3. HTPC
HTPC, or Home Theater, is another very popular use for additional computers. With an optional PC as an HTPC, you can set up your PC in conjunction with your TV for things like playing Netflix, Hulu, Amazon VOD, etc. Also, if you have a TV tuner card, USB tuner, or network tuner , you can set up HTPC + Windows Media Center which will allow you to use TIVO (DVR) functions and even a live guide (if you don’t already have a cable box). Some of the most popular HTPC platforms are:
4. Back up your PC
4. PC backup
If you don’t have a NAS or storage device for storing important files and data on your existing computers, and you are not backing up your data, you might consider using an additional PC as your backup device. By using free software such as FreeNAS, you can very easily set up an additional computer as a network backup that you can use to back up multiple computers.
Alternatively, you can purchase an additional internal hard drive for your computer and configure it in a mirrored RAID array to enhance your backup plan.
A second computer with a large hard drive can be used to store system images of your important PCs, which can be done with free hard drive cloning tools.
5. PC storage
5. A storage computer
If the secondary PC has a significant amount of hard disk space, you can simply use it as a shared storage for files, programs, installers and other PC data. Just install the operating system, connect it to your router / home network, and use your PC to store all the essential software and files you want to have but that take up too much space or you would rather not have them on your main computer. PC; kind of like an external hard drive.
6. Donate / Donate
6. Donate / gift
If you think that an additional computer will be of little use to you, you might consider donating or donating a computer. More often than not, additional computers are given to family members who can use the computer, but you can also make a very nice holiday gift from a PC if it’s in decent condition. Do you have a nephew who likes to play computer games? Perhaps buy a decent graphics card and gift him a computer for Christmas as a gaming PC.
If you do not have relatives who would use the computer, you can also donate it to any cause. Most often, computers are donated to local schools or other non-profit organizations that may use computers. Local libraries are also a good place to donate as they usually receive limited funding and have middle class computers that many people use. Don’t donate a computer to college. They charge each student from $ 10,000 to $ 100,000 per semester. They don’t need donations, they make a lot of money
7. Children’s computer
7. Children’s computer
If you have kids, you can simply designate the secondary computer as kids’ one. This will likely add insurance to your computer, as well as give your kids a chance to learn more about technology. Teach them how to install software and games, and encourage them to learn the technology now because they will be using it in the future.
Also read my articles on how to keep kids safe from your computer, how to block websites with parental controls, and how to add a family member to your Microsoft account.
8. PC Details / Plan B
8. PC parts / plan b
Another popular use for additional computers is as part computers or as a plan B in the event that an existing computer fails or breaks down. For example, if your primary PC fails with a hard drive, RAM, optical drive, etc., you can simply replace the parts on the secondary PC and you will be ready to go without buying new components.
Alternatively, if your primary computer fails, you can simply replace it with a secondary one.
9. Web Server
9. Web server
If you have a high-speed Internet connection such as cable or DSL, you can use a secondary computer as your primary web server. With a web server, you can host your own website, blog, or even email, so there is no hosting fee! Here’s my guide to setting up your own web server
10. Surveillance system
10. Control system
Video surveillance systems are controlled by a camera, but the core, like all modern technologies, is usually computer based. Thus, you can purchase several compatible surveillance cameras for your home and use an additional computer as a monitoring station for the system.
# Bonus
# Reward
Do you need any of the above additional computers? Here are some additional options:
- Create your own personal cloud server
- Sell your computer – split it up and sell the parts individually or sell as a whole
- Contribute to open source development projects – connect an extra computer to the internet and contribute to projects like SETI @ Home
- Giveaway – if you have a web -site, blog or even YouTube channel, you can donate a computer to a loyal fan or follower
- Charity auction – off-computer auction local or an online auction with 100% of all proceeds going to your favorite charity
- Install your computer ep in your car and use it as a mobile computer – add a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot from your wireless service provider and access the Internet on the go
- Use it as a dedicated firewall (ie pfSense
- Turn an additional computer into a game server for your your favorite game
- Make someone’s day Go to your local Best Buy or Frys store and people are watching who are considering buying Find a decent person and offer them a computer for free, saving up to $ 500 that they would spend on a new computer locally!
- Learn something new – install an unfamiliar operating system, use it as a computer for programming / programming, etc.
Thank you for checking out the site for today’s post, which lists a total of 20 ways to use a spare or additional computer. If any of our site visitors use additional computers for other purposes, do not hesitate to indicate them in the comments. Enjoy!
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