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What to Do With an Old MacBook: 9 Smart Ways to Reuse Your Mac

If you’ve upgraded to a newer Mac, you might be looking at your old one and thinking, “What now?” Apple computers are famously expensive and well-made, so it’s no surprise that most people don’t want to throw them away. Even if your Mac is five, ten, or more years old, there are still plenty of ways to squeeze value out of it.

1. Turn It Into a Powerful Media Center

Instead of buying a streaming box or Smart TV, your old Mac can become a full-fledged media center. If it has an HDMI port or a Mini DisplayPort with an adapter, you can plug it directly into your television and use it like a set-top box.

Set it up with:

Add a Bluetooth keyboard with a built-in trackpad for remote control, or use apps like Unified Remote on your phone to control playback. In System Preferences, go to Energy Saver to prevent the Mac from sleeping. In Display Settings, you can also adjust the resolution to match your TV.

2. Use It as a Secondary Monitor or Headless Server

Old Macs can still be great visual tools as a second monitor or behind-the-scenes file server. If you work from home or often have multiple windows open, using your old Mac as an extended screen can improve your productivity without costing a cent.

How to use it as a second screen:

This setup is useful for:

Turn it into a headless server: If you don’t need a screen at all, an old Mac can quietly live in a drawer or shelf and serve files, backups, or other content across your network.

To do this:

  1. Keep the Mac plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
  2. Turn on File Sharing in System Settings > Sharing.
  3. Enable Remote Login if you want to access it via SSH (optional).
  4. Use Screen Sharing or Chrome Remote Desktop to control it from your main device.

3. Turn It Into a Secure Digital Photo Frame

Turn your Mac into a rotating display for your favorite memories. This is a great way to repurpose a device that no longer has the power for daily work, but still has a nice screen.

Set up a photo frame with the built-in macOS tools:

  1. Open the Photos app and create a new album with your favorite pictures.
  2. Go to System Settings > Lock Screen or Screen Saver, and choose the slideshow option.
  3. Select your album, choose transitions like “Ken Burns” or “Origami,” and adjust timing.
  4. Keep the Mac plugged in, and slightly dim the screen brightness to preserve the display.

Advanced options:

4. Build a Retro Game Console

Many Macs built between 2008 and 2015 are perfect for emulating older video game systems. They don’t need the latest processors or graphics cards to run NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, or PlayStation 1 titles smoothly.

What you need:

Setup steps:

  1. Download OpenEmu from openemu.org and drag it to Applications.
  2. Install system “cores” (modules for different consoles) within the app.
  3. Add ROMs by dragging them into the library.
  4. Plug in a controller and configure it via OpenEmu’s preferences.

Additional tips:

5. Repurpose It for a Child or Student

An older Mac can still be a great learning tool even if it’s too sluggish for your work tasks. Whether for typing assignments, accessing school portals, or trying creative tools, children and students can benefit from a machine you’re no longer using.

Before handing it off:

Useful student apps to pre-install:

Older MacBooks are also often more rugged than newer thin designs, making them perfect for kids.

6. Set It Up as a Time Machine Backup Server

Turning your old Mac into a Time Machine server can help you protect the data on your primary device and manage your backups.

To set this up:

  1. Make sure the old Mac is connected to your Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
  2. Add a new shared item:
    • macOS 10.13 to macOS 12: Go to System Preferences > Sharing, enable File Sharing, and add a folder named “Backups” or something similar, like an external disk, into the Shared Folders list.
    • macOS 13 or newer: Go to System Settings > General > Sharing, enable File Sharing, and add a folder named “Backups” or something similar, like an external disk, into the Shared Folders list.
  3. Right-click the folder, choose Advanced Options, and select “Share as Time Machine backup destination.”
  4. On the primary Mac, add a new backup disk:
    • macOS 10.13 to macOS 12: Go to System Preferences > Time Machine > Click on Select Backup Disk, and choose the shared folder.
    • macOS 13 or newer: Go to System Settings > General > Time Machine > Click on Select Backup Disk, and choose the shared folder.

Once paired, your main Mac will back up to your old Mac wirelessly regularly.

Bonus:

7. Extend Its Life with OpenCore Legacy Patcher

Some older Macs can’t be updated to the latest macOS version — not officially, anyway. That’s where OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) comes in. It’s a community-built tool that allows unsupported Macs to run newer macOS versions like Ventura or Sonoma.

Who this is for:

Important:

Why it’s worth it:

Even if you only use the Mac for backups or light browsing, staying current helps with performance, app compatibility, and security.

8. Sell or Donate It Responsibly

Even if your Mac is a few years (or a decade) old, don’t assume it’s worthless. Many older models still have resale value, especially if they power on, have an intact screen, and include the charger. Depending on its age and condition, you may earn anywhere from $50 to a few hundred dollars.

Where to check resale value:

How to find places to donate: If you prefer to give your Mac a second life in someone else’s hands, donating it is a meaningful option, especially if it’s still usable. Many organizations are eager to receive gently used laptops.

Here’s where to start:

Important: Before donating or selling, always back up your data, sign out of all Apple services (iCloud, iMessage, iTunes), and erase the hard drive using Disk Utility. Then reinstall macOS for a clean, ready-to-use machine.

9. Recycle It (The Right Way)

If your Mac is damaged, extremely outdated, or not worth fixing or donating, recycling is a responsible choice — but how you do it matters.

The wrong way:

The right way:

Pro tip: Remove or erase the hard drive, even if the device doesn’t boot. If you can’t wipe it digitally, consider physically removing the drive before recycling or bringing it to a recycler that guarantees secure data destruction.

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Mac Useful and Protected

Macs are built to last. Whether you turn yours into a media player, a backup server, or a child’s homework computer, there’s almost always helpful something it can still do. You paid good money for it, and it deserves a second act.

Another key to keeping your Mac useful longer is protecting it from slowdowns, crashes, and security risks. With an antivirus solution like Intego, you can block malware, clean up junk files, and prevent your older system from being overwhelmed by modern web threats. Even if your Mac is no longer receiving updates from Apple, security software can fill in the gaps.

Combining smart reuse with the right tools will keep your Mac productive, protected, and out of the landfill.

FAQs

Is a 10-year-old Mac too old to use?

Not always. A 10-year-old Mac can still be used for tasks like word processing, streaming, and light web browsing. It may not support the latest apps or macOS versions, but it can still serve a purpose with good maintenance, some upgrades, and basic protection software.

Can I still use an old MacBook in 2025?

Yes. Many MacBooks from 2012 or later can still function well in 2025. While newer tasks like 4K editing or gaming may be out of reach, everyday tasks like using Google Docs, watching videos, or checking email are no problem with the right setup and performance tweaks.

Is it safe to use an old Mac online?

It can, especially if you take precautions. If your Mac is no longer getting security updates, avoid entering sensitive data on websites. Use a secure browser, avoid suspicious links, and run antivirus software to minimize risks from malware or phishing.

How can I make my old Mac run faster?

Start by clearing out unused apps and files. Disable startup items, empty your trash, and clean your desktop. If your model allows it, upgrading the hard drive to an SSD or adding RAM can dramatically boost speed. Reinstalling macOS also helps.

Should I keep my old Mac or trade it in?

If you still have a use for it — like backups, media playback, or a device for your kids — it may be worth keeping. But if it’s gathering dust, consider trading it in or selling it. You’ll recoup some value and help someone else get affordable tech.

What should I do before selling or donating my Mac?

Back up your data first, then sign out of all Apple services. Use Disk Utility to erase the hard drive and reinstall macOS. This protects your personal information and gives the next user a fresh, clean machine to set up.

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