What Do You Do With Old or Outdated Hardware? [You Told Us]

Technology ages at an alarming rate. There is always something new and shiny on the horizon, meaning that at some point the device you were once excited about getting your hands on is no longer fit for purpose. At this point everyone has to make a choice.
There are a multitude of different things that can be done with old or outdated hardware. From simply dumping it in the trash, giving it away to a good cause, selling it on for a fair price, or changing its use entirely. Inspired by seeing people turning old technology into musical instruments, we wanted to find out what option you all chose.

We asked, What Do You Do With Old or Outdated Hardware? The response was very good, with dozens of MakeUseOf readers revealing what they do with their old computers and associated hardware when they find they no longer have a use for it. Most of those who responded don’t just trash the hardware, dumping in the garbage for someone else to deal with.
Some commenters detailed using old computers for single-use activities such as storing files, converting video, or servers. Many people install Linux on an old machine in order to carry on using it. Others give hardware away, via Freecycle, or not-for-profit organizations who will endeavor to match unwanted machines up with needy people.
Even those who bin it try to have it properly recycled rather than added to the landfill. Which suggests MakeUseOf readers are a responsible bunch.
Comment of the week goes to Kamal Tanawr, who gets nothing but my admiration and respect (which is surely more than anyone needs) for:

I usually donate it to an orphanage. I had an old desktop with intel P4 and another one with core2duo. Didn’t know what to do with them as I was going to buy a new one. The next day i was donating some clothes and food to an orphanage and it just clicked me why not computers? Anyways i would have either sold it @ garbage price or modified to rarely use it.
So i went to this orphanage and donated. I also taught some kids how to use it. It was fun.I purposely didn’t uninstall some games and softwares.But they don’t let them play games. It is mostly used for education purpose. I’m an avid gamer and i like to encourage people to play games. Hence, i donate my psp and nintendo too.
It really feels good when you see those kids playing. They are so excited and happy.

This comment not only revealed the way Kamal disposes of his old and outdated hardware, and a way we could all do the same, but also how going that extra mile can help change the lives of people less fortunate than ourselves. By teaching the kids how to use the technology a real difference can be made. Not bad for old hardware that has outlived the usefulness it had in its original form.
We will be asking a new question tomorrow, so please join us then. ‘We Ask You’ is a weekly column dedicated to finding out the opinions of MakeUseOf readers. We ask you a question and you tell us what you think. The question is open-ended and is usually open to debate. Some questions will be purely opinion-based, while others will see you sharing tips and advice, or advocating tools and apps for your fellow MakeUseOf Readers. This column is nothing without you, as MakeUseOf is nothing without you.
Image Credit: Thomas Claveirole

View the original article here

Posted in: Hardware,Outdated