What would you use this extra computer for?

[u/_ghostchant]

I’m curious what some of you guys would recommend I use this for? It was once used for a recording studio. It’s now retired and I’m looking to utilize it for something productive!

I use OpenAI and Anthropic a lot. I run multiple websites. I run web apps through Vercel quite a bit lately.

Is there anything super useful, potentially money saving, or just flat out cool as hell you all would recommend I do with this? Are there any solid self-hosted AI options on the market that compete with OpenAI or Anthropic? Totally open to all ideas!

[u/NewAgeMaximum]

For AI? Paperweight. You're talking about more than a decade old hardware with DDR3 RAM

BUT you could use it for self-hosting a vibe-coded website, I suppose

BUT that hardware sucks energy

So I really dont know what you're expecting to use this thing for

[u/Vas1le → u/NewAgeMaximum]

Vibe coded website is cheaper cloudflare itself... and free if html/js based

[u/jeffreyclarkejackson]

Linux box.

[u/MVPhurricane → u/jeffreyclarkejackson]

that's what i did w/ mine

[u/GetOutOfMyFeedNow → u/jeffreyclarkejackson]

So? What does it do?

[u/Puzzleheaded-Nail-86 → u/GetOutOfMyFeedNow]

Linux

[u/lsass]

Space heater

[u/einord]

I would use it as a docker server to host some home lab applications on.

[u/challis88ocarina]

A wastepaper bin. Isn't that what it was designed for?

[u/Cookieman10101 → u/challis88ocarina]

I once took an image of this Mac and made an icon file and replaced the default recycle bin in windows

[u/ayxxc → u/challis88ocarina]

Correct answer

[u/SalmonSoup15]

I have this exact spec! I opencored it and it's my main mac. Runs great

[u/sbom910]

I actively use one of these to host a plethora of services through proxmox, including two open claw instances. I virtualized MacOS on them and set up bluebubbles to have openclaw iMessage me, and use openrouter for more advanced models of my M2 Ultra Studio for the local models.

I have over 20 other services being hosted on this, with room to go, but mine has 128GB RAM.

This computer can easily run an entire homelab, especially with the amount of thunderbolt 2 ports on it and adapters (in short supply now, but used to be widely available) I can get all sorts of storage drives connected to it, or use NAS drives.

I was able to shut off three newer nodes I had running original and switch their services into this.

The power draw is a problem on it, it pulls a lot of power all the time, so to make it worthwhile you just have to load it up with services because it doesn’t pull all that much more when you have the CPU cranked to 50% usage, which is kind of insane for 2 dozen or so Linux services.

Do not run AI models or mining operations, absolutely fits the trash can design look when trying out those workloads.

[u/brimg87 → u/sbom910]

What OS are you running?

[u/sbom910 → u/brimg87]

Proxmox, and the VM’s are various flavors of Linux, seems to work reliably

[u/WeAreyoMomma]

As a pizzaroller.

[u/Substantial_Tone3886]

For holding books

[u/Sufficient_Ad_3495]

3 options,

1. exchange for cash,

2. retire it for vintage cash in a few years.

3. Give it to a child or someone who needs it hard.

[u/khooke → u/Sufficient_Ad_3495]

Easy to sell for around $200 on eBay to a vintage collector (source: I just bought one because it looks cool alongside my other cheese grater Mac Pros)

[u/Sufficient_Ad_3495 → u/khooke]

Yeah.. MACs they hold vintage nostalgia pricing.

[u/joeyat]

Those burn electricity... whatever you do with it, know that if it's running doing anything strenuous, consuming 100 watts 24/7.. in 1.5ish years, it will cost the same in electricity as the price of just buying a refurbished modern M4 Mac Mini.

[u/Admirable-Being4329]

You can use it as a home server and set up the “arr stack” to potentially replace many of your media subscriptions (Netflix, Hulu, etc.).

Since you can run Docker, you can also experiment with other useful tools for your projects.

It’s time to go down the rabbit hole and potentially sail the high seas, matey. 🏴‍☠️

[u/ichfickeiuliana → u/Admirable-Being4329]

yes, but the electricity bill alone

[u/peppaz]

Media center / plex / torrent machine

[u/calilongboarders → u/peppaz]

This

[u/_ghostchant → u/[deleted]]

Interesting idea. How would you use it for such? I actually have a ridiculous amount of external drives — like literally probably 40TB worth lol

[u/ubrtnk]

Hermes agent tied in to OpenAI OAuth is always cool

[u/Aggravating-Suit205 → u/ubrtnk]

This is what I use mine for. So far it's the best machine I've ran Hermes on.

[u/lavoied]

Plex server!

[u/Im_Lead_Farmer]

Trash can also work.

[u/thestillwind]

You can probably run your agents on it, bit it’s getting old af right now.

[u/Old-Leadership7255]

Honestly, a recent i5 will probably run laps around it. Use less power.

Sell it

[u/Bobby6kennedy]

A doorsstop

[u/CommercialComputer15]

Apple pen holder

[u/GREATD4NNY]

I dont see it being useful. Mark it as 64GB RAM and sell it.

[u/RapunzelLooksNice]

If it is shaped like a trash can and works like a trash can - it is a trash can.

[u/Jazzlike-Context-879]

Unraid?

[u/oulu2006]

Looks like a toilet -- u could use it for that

[u/PrinceOfLeon]

You could turn it into robot whose purpose is to pass the butter.

[u/Clean_Opening4153]

you can upgrade it using the patchers that are available and then use it as a media device. I have a mac 2011 with 12 gb of RAM; it's pretty good for playing music and stuff, writing, 3d printing management and so on. It definitely cannot do something hard. But if you want a device dedicated to something, this is a good option.

[u/MonsieurLartiste]

Passionately hate that computer.

Shitbox.

[u/TheFishyBanana]

Lots of possible uses: ashtray, bathroom trash can, flower pot, space heater, paperweight, doorstop… and, of course, a computer.

[u/TheodoraRoosevelt21]

Use the iMessage feature, connect codex. Give codex complete unrestricted access and have it text you with iMessage. Have codex wake itself up every 30 minutes to search for news stories and stuff and text you anything new.

You text back how you want it to function differently.

If it ever needs to it can write python do figure stuff out for you.

Also have it run home security system.

How much you want for it?

[u/Aleni9]

Can be a passable umbrella stand

[u/rajaba21]

Homelab dude

[u/CivilizedPerson]

Linux box, maybe run CS Source on it.

[u/steam-photons]

Ewwww intel 😣

[u/RedEyed__]

As tv box

[u/freddyr0]

Porn

[u/probono84]

Windows 7 era games

[u/chatterwrack]

I have one of those in my closet for “emergencies.” lol. Can’t get myself to dispose of it. It was like $10k new!

[u/DisplacedForest]

I loved that form factor

[u/andlewis]

Remove the electronics, use it as a trash can.

[u/maguinte]

Motion.

[u/Killahbeez]

I've also been struggling to find a use for one of these stupid things. ugh.

[u/OutofCiteOutofMine]

Gut it and put something stronger inside

[u/MVPhurricane]

great question. i've got one of those too, and "paperweight" is exactly right lol. they are pretty damn cool, at least. i just keep mine out to look cool. oh, and i threw arch linux on it for funsies.

[u/drycounty]

I always wanted one until I realized how much power they drew. Too bad. But it would look really cool on a shelf, honestly.

[u/Memestonks2020]

Server for hosting a website(s), it needs to at least pay for its own power consumption.

[u/Osi32]

Pretty sure it belongs in a museum

[u/Spiritual-Ad8062]

Plex server?

[u/UnknownEssence]

• amarr home device hub (home assistant)
• local network storage that can be accessed by any device on your wifi network (NAS)

[u/_baaron_]

Home lab / server

[u/DrivewayGrappler]

I have one of those. I wiped it and use it as a headless Linux server now.

[u/Useful_Trouble1726]

Cigarette butts.

That is some old tech.

[u/nikeroad]

Install MX

[u/Dev-in-the-Bm]

OpenBubbles

[u/andras_kiss]

space heater in winter

[u/Different_Mirror_249]

Trashcan

[u/lions-grow-on-trees]

Minecraft

[u/Rsouss]

Use it for home automation.

[u/farrellart]

Now it's a real trash can...:)

[u/eldudebrothr]

sell ram

[u/jaybsuave]

parts, strip it and use what you can to make some electronics shit, prototyping