Author: Cartez

  • What to Do With an Old iPad?

    What to Do With an Old iPad?

    The new generations of Apple iPad are now slimmer, lighter, and definitely faster than the older ones. So, it wouldn’t be a surprise if millions of iPad owners are now upgrading to new models.

    If you are wondering what to do with an old iPad, below are some suggestions:

    Use the Old iPad as a Kitchen TV

    If you love spending time in your kitchen, you might have already considered getting a small television set for the room, especially if the living room is not connected to your kitchen and there is no way for you to watch your favorite shows on your expansive plasma TV.

    Why not use your old iPad as a kitchen TV instead? In these times when video streaming services are the trend, you could launch your favorite streaming app and binge-watch all of your favorite series while you are busy preparing delicious meals for your family.

    Use the Old iPad as a Cookbook

    If you are not a big fan of watching TV while working in the kitchen, you can still make it a mainstay in the room by using it as a cookbook instead. Remove everything that doesn’t have anything to do with healthy living and cooking.

    Put your iPad on a stand, connect this for good to a power source, and use this when cooking something creative. The best thing here is that you don’t have to worry that oil will splatter on its display. After all, gone are the days when you need to clean it every day.

    Use the Old iPad as a Digital Photo Frame

    You might initially think that turning your old iPad to a digital photo frame is impossible, especially since the device will use more energy compared to single-purpose devices that run on CR2 batteries and meant to show photos.

    Well, the photo frame here doesn’t refer to the usual one you put on your bedside table that shows photos 24/7. Instead, you can use your old iPad during those times when you might think of buying a digital photo frame.

    For example, when organizing your wedding anniversary party, the digital photo frame can be placed in the hallway to show your wedding photos as a way to welcome your guests. Digital frames tend to be a bit pricey so save yourself the expense and use your old iPad for this purpose instead.

    Use the Old iPad as a Security Camera

    And this is probably the most popular usage of an old iPad. If you have any type of security camera system such as the Ring, ADT, Blink, etc., there may be a compatible iPad app available to download.

    After you change a few settings such as the brightness and auto sleep timer, you’ll have an iPad that works as a security camera monitor.

    Other Uses for an Old iPad

    There are many other uses for an old iPad these days thanks to some useful third-party apps. A few of the popular uses are below:

    • Baby Monitor
    • Music System
    • WiFi Backup Storage
    • Wireless Mouse or Controller
    • Remote Computer Terminal
    • Smart Remote
    • Video Conference Station
    • Always-On Live Streaming Cam
    • Dedicated Reader
    • Digital Calendar
    • Kid-Friendly Learning Tool
    • Mobile Gaming Device

    Conclusion

    These are just some of the creative ways on what to do with an old iPad. Give them a try and breathe new life to your old device.

    Related: iPad Pro or Surface Pro X

  • What to Do With Old Cameras?

    What to Do With Old Cameras?

    Is there an old camera occupying a significant space in your drawer? Have you purchased the latest camera model and you don’t know what to do with your old one?

    There are several interesting ways to breathe new life into your old photo equipment. Here are some ideas on what to do with old cameras. 

    Sell Your Old Cameras

    Selling your old camera is one of your best options, especially if you can still use some cash to buy new photo gear. You can drop it off at the nearest consignment shop in your area where a hoarder or collector can come across the camera and lenses you once loved.

    You can also have it listed on auction websites or put an ad on online websites or in the classified section of your local newspaper. 

    Related: What to Do With Old Books

    Donate Your Old Cameras

    One of the options that are usually overlooked is donating your camera to a good cause. There is a high chance that you will find a local thrift store or charity that would never hesitate to take your old device off your hands.

    You can also try to dig deeper to find more deserving outlets. Inquire at local schools to check if they offer photography lessons in their art program. Schools will be happy to take your old camera to loan out to a student in need. 

    And many charities would appreciate an old camera. There is probably a photography-related charity that will happily accept used equipment. All you need is to do some online search to look for charities where your old gear can be put to good use. Just like the schools, non-profits will be more than happy to have some donated camera equipment handy. 

    Repurpose Your Old Cameras

    Getting something shinier, faster, and newer might be exactly what you need to use your old lenses and camera for something fun. Did you always want to give infrared photography a try? Or maybe you want to make a homemade lens amount yourself so you can attach lenses to the camera?

    Having an old camera is your opportunity to try something outside the box. You can convert your old camera to a pinhole camera. You can also get affordable imported trinkets from the local home accessory shop to accessorize your old camera and turn it into a cool and unique living room décor. 

    Old Cameras Can Be Backup Cameras

    A slower and older digital camera could be put to good use as a reliable backup for your new one. Mechanicals and electronics are not perfect and that sparkling new gear might no longer be as a trusty in the future.

    Having a good backup camera accessible can save the day, whether you are on a remote vacation or an important commercial shoot. 

    Conclusion

    The trash can is the last place where you would want your old camera to end up. You can sell it or give it to someone who might be able to use it. Of course, you can also just choose to keep it and then pass it on to the next generation.

    As long as you know what to do with old cameras, you can be sure it won’t go to waste, so to speak.

    Related: What to Do With Old Computer Parts

  • What to Do With Old Printers?

    What to Do With Old Printers?

    Where does your old printer go once its life cycle comes to an end? Should you just throw it away in the trash? Are there options for recycling? 

    Many people don’t really think what happens to their good old printer once a new one comes along. However, as the world sees a growing number of different types of waste, knowing what to do with old printers is very important now more than ever. 

    There are three choices here. You can sell, recycle, or donate them. 

    Sell Your Old Printers

    For old printers that are still in good running conditions, you can make some cash out of them. There are now many places where you can sell your old printers, such as websites like Amazon, eBay, and Craigslist.

    Besides the websites listed above, you can post about it on social media and join those buy and sell groups to sell off your printer locally. While these groups tend to be a bit crowded, you can get a good chance of making a sale in no time. 

    On the other hand, if your old printer doesn’t work anymore, you could still get back some of your investment if you sell it to repair shops and junk shops. Research about these shops in your area and call them beforehand to check the types and brands of printers they accept. 

    Recycle Your Old Printers

    Probably the easiest and fastest way to get rid of your old printer is to recycle it. There are retailers that have designated recycle bins in their shops where you can drop off your old printer. Some stores also have recycling programs. 

    Many areas also have e-waste collection centers. You can check the official website of your county or city to know the hours and drop off locations of these centers. Taking your old printer to a recycling center is the simplest option to solve your problem and do it in such a way that it won’t pose any harm to the environment. Aside from the printer itself, the toner cartridges can also be recycled. 

    If there are no e-waste collection centers around you, you can contact the manufacturer of the printer. Some of them have take-back and e-waste recycling programs. Just make sure you call them in advance to see if they will accept your old printer. These companies might only accept certain devices for such programs. 

    Donate Your Old Printers

    What you already consider as trash might just be the best treasure for someone else. If your old printer is still working, most organizations will be more than happy to take it and put it to good use. Good examples of these organizations are schools, charities, nonprofits, community organizations, and recreation centers. Old printers can also be donated to organizations specializing in electronics outreach programs for people in need.

    Conclusion

    Now that you already know what to do with old printers, make sure you select the best option so you can be sure that you will get the best out of your good old device.

    Related: What to Do With A Computer Before Selling It

  • What to Do If You Spill Water on a Laptop?

    What to Do If You Spill Water on a Laptop?

    Out of all the types of liquids you can accidentally spill on your precious laptop, water is no doubt the most common one.

    If you are one of those unfortunate people who have ever found themselves in such a scary situation, don’t worry as there are many things you can do to get rid of water that seeped inside your device and prevent serious damage to it.

    Spilling Water on Laptop

    But before anything else, it is best to keep in mind that this particular guide is available only if you spill water on your laptop. Alcoholic beverages or drinks containing sugar are more harmful so they also need more attention when cleaning. In these situations, the first four steps in this guide should be followed only if you feel comfortable dealing with a damaged laptop. Due to the large amounts of debris that these fluids can leave behind, it is highly recommended to call a qualified laptop service before restarting the damaged laptop.

    Here are the steps to follow on what to do if you spill water on a laptop:

    • Do not panic.
    • Unplug your laptop right away after you spilled water on it. This is the very first and probably the most important step since it has something to do with the user’s safety.
    • Shut down your laptop and if possible, remove its battery to prevent unpleasant situations.
    • After shutting down your laptop and removing its battery, you need to hold its screen at a 90-degree angle. Put your laptop upside down on a flat surface. This is to ensure that the water doesn’t get inside the device and protect its important components like the motherboard.
    • Use paper or cloth towels to clean up any excess water left behind. Never wipe your laptop and instead, just leave the napkin or cloth to absorb the water. Using a fan is also not recommended since it will only introduce more amounts of dust inside the device.
    • Let your laptop dry for a minimum of 24 hours. There are even some people who suggest extending it for as long as 48 hours. There are also recommendations like placing your laptop in a compartment filled with silica gel or grains of rice to eliminate the moisture although this is not necessary.
    • Laptops are compact as hell these days. Resist the urge to turn on the laptop and take it to a professional.

    Follow these steps on what to do if you spill water on a laptop so you can save yourself from additional expenses later on.

    Related: Surface Laptop or MacBook Pro

  • What to Do With Old Hard Drives?

    What to Do With Old Hard Drives?

    Hard drives do not last forever, especially the older models. Long years of wear and tear can take their toll on hard drives. Once this happens, you need to replace them sooner than later.

    Most of us will simply destroy and get rid of the hard drive. But here are a few tips on what to do with old hard drives.

    Recycle or Donate Old Hard Drives

    Instead of letting your old hard drives rot in the landfill, check first if your area has some technology recycling or refurbishing programs. There are groups that could give new life to old devices then give them to people who need them the most.

    For completely dead hard drives, you can recycle these instead. You can now find companies running services for e-waste reclamation. There are also places that give store credit for electronics surrendered to them for recycling. You can visit participating centers or check if pick-ups are allowed by the program.

    While hard drives are accepted in most recycling programs, it is best if you check first the list of electronics they accept.

    Related: Best SSD

    Harvest the Old Hard Drive Parts

    Harvesting the magnets is one of the easiest and simplest things to do with old hard drives. Hard drives contain some really powerful magnets that could be used for all kinds of things.

    You can remove the magnets from your old hard drives then use these as ultra-strong ref magnets. You can also use them for temporarily magnetizing your tools when you work with some small parts.

    Hard drives also have extremely polished platters that can be used as cool mirrors. Just combine the hard drive magnet with a platter and you will already have a geeky and unique mini mirror you can use for your gym or office locker or even for your home fridge.

    If you don’t want to recycle the parts found inside the hard drive, an empty hard drive case can also be turned to a hidden safe. Thieves would never bother going through a bin filled with old drives nor will they be interested to steal and aged and useless-looking drive.

    Be Crafty With Old Hard Drives

    For the computer hardware experts, there are a few cool things that can be done with an old hard drive.

    Don’t worry if your hard drives are no longer functioning because you can still use them in many ways. You can give them a second life as a desk clock or even a USB hub. With just a bit of fiddling with wires, you can surely think of artsy ways to make the most out of your old drives.

    These are only some of the useful and fun ideas on what to do with old hard drives. For those who love taking things apart and tinkering with electronics, old hard drives are treasure troves of small bits and pieces you can play with.

    Related: External Hard Drives

  • What to Do With an Old Laptop?

    What to Do With an Old Laptop?

    Your old laptop might no longer be as fast and reliable as it used to be but it doesn’t mean it no longer has a purpose.

    After you salvage and transfer all the valuable data in it, there are several great ideas on what to do with an old laptop.

    Save the Old Laptop Hardware

    Remove any salvageable components from the laptop such as the SSDs, hard drives, and SO-DIMM RAM modules. You can repurpose these components into external drives to be used in another device.

    Use the Old Laptop Monitor

    This is for the computer hardware experts. You can detach the laptop monitor and use it as a standalone display provided that you no longer have any use for the entire device. This will definitely require a bit of DIY work yet it lets you use the screen of your laptop as a secondary desktop display.

    Recycle Your Old Laptop

    Don’t just dump your old laptop in the garbage bin and instead, look for any electronic collection program to help you in recycling the device. There are many organizations that accept these old laptops and you can easily find them online.

    Related: Best Gaming Laptops

    Donate The Old Laptop

    There is always a high demand for used electronics to help someone who might be in need. Remove anything important in the hard drive then go to charities accepting old electronics like your laptop.

    Trade-In The Old Laptop

    There are also places that let you trade in your old laptop in exchange for gift cards. Whatever amount you receive will depend on the laptop’s current condition.

    Sell The Old Laptop

    If your device is still in good working condition, why not try selling it online? As there is a special market for electronics that are no longer functional, you can have your laptop listed on any of these sites as well.

    Related: Best Teacher Laptops

    Repair The Old Laptop

    Another good idea on what to do with an old laptop is to format its drive and begin with a clean slate. As you know, long years of accumulated files and software can slow down your device. You can open the device and clear off the dust.

    This boosts the performance of your device as cleaning can help improve ventilation and reduce thermal throttling. You can also install a lightweight operating system for your laptop to become more responsive.

    Use the Old Laptop as a Media Station

    If you have no plans to say goodbye to your old laptop any time soon, you can use this for playing movies or storing your favorite music provided that your device is still functioning obviously.

    Use the Old Laptop as a Digital Photo Frame

    Transform your old laptop into a photo frame. This is a cool project that also lets you save the hardware at the same time.
    Never let your good old laptop gather dust in the corner. Society is already wasteful enough so try not to make the problem worse.

    Use these tips on what to do with an old laptop to make the most out of your discarded device.

    Related: Surface Laptop or MacBook Pro

  • What to Do With Your Old Computer?

    What to Do With Your Old Computer?

    We are completely certain that all of us, at some point in our lives, have either switched to a new computer or are willing to procure a new one, and there can be several reasons leading up to it.

    Your old computer has been with you for too long and has consequentially lost its vitality, you are willing to upgrade to the latest version or, are simply in the mood to do away with it and host your daily activities on your phone henceforth onwards.

    Regardless of the cause, a common question that you will be compelled to form in your mind is, “What to do with my old computer”, because the answer to this cannot be as simple as just disposing of it.

    In order to make your task easier, we will be pointing a few things that you can do with your old computer.

    Donate the old computer

    First things first, if you can no more put your old computer to any use, the idea is to donate it. There are three essential places in which it can be donated, and they are a local school, hospital, and charity.

    In the first case, that is the school, your computer can be capitalized upon to assemble and reassemble several parts to give the students an insight into the hardware and how their distinct parts and arrangement goes into securing the whole device.

    Also, if you consider giving it away to a hospital, try to buy a pocket-friendly educational software and re-install it in the system; here, you must not forget to remove the other software or applications installed in it and were in use.

    In case of charitable causes, you can donate the computer regardless of its present condition- even if it is not in a condition to be reused, they will most likely sell off its parts to derive funds for the charity.

    Convert old computer to home server

    If you are someone who has a wide home network capitalized by multiple users, turning the old computer into a NAS or home server can turn out as profitable.

    Nevertheless, the process includes much more than just plugging in the computer into the system because they can end up consuming more power than usual. Apart from obtaining a sturdy power management system to run a few cooling fans around in the circuit, you will also have to set up the operating system altogether so that it doesn’t start malfunctioning at odd times and run in a low-power state when put in the “sleep” mode.

    It would be better if you install a proper network operating system like Windows Home Server; acquire the one that costs low yet provides solid features. You can employ an open-source software that is outlined to convert a PC into network-attached storage; mostly, this software mostly allows you to store the previous OS on the hard drive until you have made your mind about the NAS to be utilized.

    Related: Best NAS Devices For Home Server

    Turn old computer into a dedicated game server

    Using old computers to host multiplayer games is nothing but a brilliant idea.

    If the server of the game can be hosted on a local computer. If yes, you continue with the installation because often a game, which is played online, supports all the dedicated servers.

    The most intriguing component lies in the fact that these dedicated game servers use a negligible portion of the system horsepower to efficiently run.

    Related: Best Gaming Desktop Computers

  • What to Do With Old Computer Cables?

    What to Do With Old Computer Cables?

    One of the top signs that you are a true 21st-century human is when your house has several drawers filled with old computer cables and wires of all sorts.

    As most techs have a short life cycle, it is almost impossible not to end up with 10 cables or more that you don’t use anymore. The good news is that there are some excellent ideas on what to do with old computer cables.

    Take a Quick Inventory

    Before anything else, you need to check the cables you’ve got. You should basically watch out for those that might still be valuable for you.

    It doesn’t mean you should be hoarding them and instead, just keep your eye out for things that still have potential use but not obsolete anytime near.

    Recycle Old Computer Cables

    After the inventory and there are still a lot of remaining cables, you should try recycling them instead of disposing of them in the trash.

    Modern computer cables are usually made of valuable materials like gold and copper. They might not really be worth much on their own but if all people bother recycling their old cables instead of dumping them on the garbage bin, it will surely make a big impact.

    Gift the Old Computer Cables

    Not everyone upgrades their computers right away. Before you discard your large collection of old computer cables, see to it that you ask your family members and friends if they have any use for them.

    Some computer cables can still be used with some other devices. Check the functionality of these cables first before you donate them.

    Donate the Old Computer Cables

    With more and more kids now using computers on a daily basis, cables can get damaged, misplaced, and lost frequently. Local schools and nonprofit organizations will surely appreciate old cables from you. Just make sure that you don’t give them a pile of these cables.

    Be sure that everything you give is still in good working condition. Call in advance and ask them what they can use then go through your things to see if you got what they need.

    Give the Old Computer Cables Away

    You might not longer be using your old computer cable but an acquaintance might be.

    A simple post on Twitter or Facebook announcing that you got some cables that others can still use might result in more responses than what you might think.

    Related: Best Laptop Accessories

    Conclusion

    No matter which of these ideas on what to do with old computer cables you decide to follow, the main point is to avoid throwing them away. Take note that cables can be as dangerous as other forms of electronic waste if mishandled.

    Related: Best Computer Accessories

  • What to Do With Old Books?

    What to Do With Old Books?

    Not many people really like the thought of giving away their old books.

    However, there will always come a time when you will feel like you have already outgrown them. It is during these times when it would be nice for you to give your old books a second life.

    Read on to know what to do with old books instead of just letting them gather dust in your attic.

    Start A Book Exchange Club

    Do you know other bookworms? It would be a great idea if you can meet with them every now and then and exchange books. It is a great way to have nice and new discoveries with no need to overload your bookcase.

    Turn the Old Books to Something New

    Just so you know, there is actually an endless number of things you can make using your old books. For instance, you can transform them into a storage box where you can keep your secret treasures. Old books can also be turned into a lampshade.

    If you want an easier project, though, you can use the book pages as a canvas for paintings or drawings. You can find lots of inspiration online for these artsy projects.

    Give the Old Books to Mini Libraries

    Mini Libraries or Little Free Libraries are now gaining popularity. With the principle of taking a book and returning a book, these are small but accessible book exchange boxes that come in the form of small cabinets placed in front of homes, on street corners, in coffee shops, or in communal buildings, just to name a few.

    These are great ways of bringing communities together and making others happy with books that you don’t need or want anymore. See to it that every book you leave behind is not yet too and is still in great reading condition. This book will only work if nice books are left behind.

    Related: Computer Programming Books

    Gift the Old Books

    If you have some books that you no longer want to read, you can give them to family members, colleagues, or friends who might enjoy it. It would be nice if you can talk about the book over a cup of coffee afterward.

    Donate the Old Books

    From libraries to schools, shelters, thrift shops, and even prisons, there are actually many places that could use some good books. You can ask around your community to get some ideas. For all you know, you can make other people very happy with books that you don’t need or want anymore.

    Conclusion

    If you’ve got boxes or shelves of old books sitting around your house, don’t throw them out just yet. Repurpose them to something grand with these fantastic ideas on what to do with old books.

    Related: Popular Books from Black Authors, Positive Books for Black Women

  • What to Do With Old Computer Parts?

    What to Do With Old Computer Parts?

    Are you wondering what to do with old computer parts?

    Well, there are actually plenty of options on how to still get the best out of these parts just when you think they are no longer of use.

    Sell the Old Computer Parts

    You probably don’t have any use for the aged AGP graphics card and Intel Pentium 4 but someone might be looking for them. If you are running out of ideas on what to do with old computer parts at home, you can put them up in online marketplaces and see if they can make you earn some cash.

    You can sell them as individual parts or develop them into computers so you can sell them this way. You might not get lots of cash for all your effort but you could still get some pocket money while someone will get the computer parts they need.

    Recycle Old Computer Parts

    While it might be easy to fall into the temptation of throwing them away, computer parts may contain dangerous metals that you would never want to rot away in the landfill.

    Your area might have certain locations and options for recycling and all you have to do is search online to find a free and easy place where you can responsibly get rid of these unwanted parts.

    Repurpose the Old Computer Parts

    There are some computer parts that you can repurpose by themselves. For instance, an old hard drive can be turned to an external hard drive with just a simple enclosure. A DVD drive can also be turned to an external DVD drive.

    If you got really good DIY skills, you can turn this to an external graphics card to enjoy better laptop gaming. Not all computer parts could be repurposed but instead of throwing them out right away, see first if some of them can be used for your current electronics.

    Create DIY Projects Using Old Computer Parts

    It might not really be useful but in case you got plenty of discarded computer parts and you have the time to do some fun activities, you can always start some fun computer-inspired DIY projects.

    For instance, an old PC case can be turned into a unique aquarium. Old graphics cards and motherboards can be used as circuit board coffee table or other cool stuff. Check online for projects you can try or think outside the box to create your very own geek haven at home.

    Conclusion

    Try any of these ideas on what to do with old computer parts and make the most out of them.

    Related: Best Computer Accessories