Over a dozen uses for old Macs
So let's say you finally decided to let that strawberry iMac go into the great off position in the sky (probably because you bought an iPad, right?). You're not going to unceremoniously dump that thing in the garbage, are you? You may not know it, but there's a healthy modder community for Macs, plus an avid collection and re-purposing community. We've written about clever uses for old Macs before, but here are two takes on what to do with old Macs. One is for Macs that still have some computational life in them, and the other is more geared to Macs who can't power on, but their cases are still useful.Share
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So let's say you finally decided to let that strawberry iMac go into the great off position in the sky (probably because you bought an...
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I use an old powerpc mac mini with 1GB ram running 10.4.11 as a CVS repository/pserver for my work ... it is small, sits out of the way ... and is more than capable of handling that level of work.
April 08 2010 at 3:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLinux will not run on the Mac Classic. It's right on the front page of the link.
The Mac Classic, with a 68000, has no paging support. On the other hand, somebody might have ported ucLinux to it.... (ucLinux != Linux)
Jokes aside, a key use for old iMacs is to keep them working, if they have a matte screen. If you see the close to 1,000 petitions at http://macmatte.wordpress.com - a common theme is that iMac users, who need matte screens, are having to keep their old iMacs going longer than desired, since, even though these Mac fans want to upgrade, they can't because of the lack of matte screens.
April 08 2010 at 9:49 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyif you have a freegeek nearby, they will recycle or reuse any old computer...
(freegeek.org)
I've got a //c like the one in the picture--tiny green CRT and all--and I meant to do something like this with it
http://www.bytecellar.com/archives/000113.php
but I never got around to it, so it'll go on eBay... as soon as I can get around to it. :-)
If the old Mac is in working condition or repair is cheap and easy (as was in my case, when I got eMac in perfect condition, just the keyboard and AirPort card were missing ), the best thing one can do to the brave old piece of hardware is to clean it, install proper version of OS (classic, Tiger, Panther) and keep it this way. As a collectible. Or art. Or history. Just like people restore old cars and planes.
What about a Macquarium (IE: an aquarium)?
http://lowendmac.com/compact/macquarium.shtml
Matthew
That's not a mac in the photo... looks like an Apple IIc.
April 07 2010 at 7:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replymine isnt too old (700mhx g4 imac) and use it as a kind of server, downloads, printer, appletv, used leopard assist to keep it as current as possible, and use iteleport on my iphone to control it most of the time.
April 07 2010 at 6:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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