While the world's gadget supply seems to be increasing every year, a tidal wave of electronic junk -- e-waste -- is stuffing our landfills and contaminating our soil and water. The more stuff we've we tend to have, the more stuff we end up throwing out in the end.
The Great Stay-at-Home Experiment of 2020 has left tech shops looking just like the morning after Black Friday. Many electronics won't ship from Amazon until the end of April. And, sure, the latest $1000 Apple laptops and tablets can be yours ASAP. Still, this crisis has lots of people rethinking our wasteful consumer behavior to buy and splurge.
So instead, to enhance that new home office/classroom/yoga studio, why won't you try what the device makers would alternatively we didn't know?
So now, with Swiffer sheets in hand, time to resuscitate a few old techs!
ALSO READ: Researchers Find A Way To Recycle Old Gadgets Safely: Turn Them To Dust
Old Laptops
Did you realize your kid has a Chromebook? Google's Chrome OS has an open-source operating app known as Chromium OS, and it works nicely on computers with lesser horsepower than a tricycle.
Google doesn't offer Chrome OS to put in on older machines. However, a business enterprise called Neverware gives CloudReady, a version of that Chromium operating device that runs a Chrome-like browser with all the Google net apps you'd need. You simply can't run Android apps, like on newer Chromebooks.
The great news: the single factor you'll be lacking is that new-computer scent. The bad news here is, Installing the software program takes some tech knowledge and approximately an hour, and your antique laptop could be prone to security issues. Please, your 1,000-piece puzzle can wait.
The process calls for a more modern Windows computer, Mac or Chromebook, which you use to load the software onto an 8GB-or-larger USB drive. After you undergo that manner, you install the software program at the old laptop.
Could you use it as your full-time device? Heck no. But for writing or easy web work, sure. Your biggest challenge? You could have a battery that barely holds a charge anymore, so you needed to cuddle up to the wall outlet.
Old Tablets
You could have an old 2nd Gen iPad from your loft. Probably the tablet is too slow to do anything. The first you could do is restore the iPad to factory settings. Save anything else that's crucial first, then visit Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
There are downsides to being on an older machine. Not only do you leave out the ultra-modern features, you furthermore may omit security updates. Apple releases patches for older gadgets if it feels they may be critical. For example, last year, Apple released a security patch for iOS 9 and 10 devices. Android is much trickier because there are so many different smartphone and tablet brands. This Android security web page provides links to beneficial resources.
There are loads of factors to do with an old iPad. Still, you can take that as a portable video-chat device that's continuously equipped for FaceTime with your grandparents. Take that, Facebook Portal! You could also install Zoom, Google Hangouts, and WhatsApp, for additional video-chat alternatives.
Old Smartphones
Many of the tablet tips could be done to old phones, too. You could make your old iPhone 6 and turn it into an additional remote controller while protecting your data.
There are masses of options, depending on how you mix and in shaping your devices. Roku and Amazon's Fire TV have Android and iOS apps that aid wireless far off features.
One very vital thing here is 'Disable iMessage.' Of course, do not forget other Apple services on these old gadgets. The last thing you need is continuously dinging pop-up messages.
Old TVs
That old TV of yours may not have a 4K HDR display. However, it could nonetheless make a great second screen in your new home office. You'll just want the proper dongles. You might need an HDMI-to-USB-C dongle to your MacBook Pro to a vintage 40-inch Toshiba TV you have in the closet.
