If your Mac is running at a slow speed but still functioning, you can consider it as an accessory to your new computer or you can use it as backup storage. However, if it is lifeless, you can use some DIY tricks and turn it into something creative.
We have collected 5 great ideas on what to do with old iMac before sending it to the stockroom.
Part #1: 5 Great Ideas on What to Do with An Old iMacPart #2: How to Declutter An Old iMac Summary
Part #1: 5 Great Ideas on What to Do with An Old iMac
To save Mama Earth from all these emissions and pollutants, upcycling is now the latest trend in maintaining a lesser carbon footprint. If it is possible, avoid getting new gadgets that you think your old pal can still keep up with.
Just like an old computer sitting in the corner. You can repurpose your old iMac in several ways. Whatever you wish to do with it, we recommend that you give these 5 great ideas a try.
Tip #1: Make It A Secondary Monitor
What to do with old iMac? Thinking of getting 2 monitors. Why not do it with your old iMac? To make your work more efficient and your files more organized, you can make your old iMac a secondary monitor to your first setup.
Having two monitors gives you a good work view since your apps and files are organized accordingly, plus it looks neat and sleek.
You can connect this via a cable that supports DisplayPort. On your new Mac, go to System Preferences and click Displays. Under the Arrangement tab, find and click your old Mac listed as a potential display. If you are using a Windows computer, you need third-party software to be installed before you can attach your old Mac as a secondary monitor.
Deskreen is a popular choice for Mac and Windows connection. Now that you have two monitors set up, you can consider live streaming!
Tip #2: Make It A Web Server
If you are a web designer, software programmer, or blogger, you can turn your old iMac into a web server. You can take advantage of what’s already there and simply add the necessary tools to start using it.
Your Mac has all the peripherals needed, even a built-in battery as backup, in case of a power outage.
To make it a web server, just go ahead and install Microsoft IIS, NGINX, or Apache. Once installed, point the DNS to your old Mac’s IP address.
That’s it! Jumpstart your career with your old iMac as your web server, it’s way better than a dedicated small server.
Tip #3: Repurpose as Network-Attached Storage Or NAS
Got tons of data? Turn your old iMac into a Network Attached Storage or NAS and enjoy your own cloud storage. You can share it with friends and colleagues anywhere in the world.
To turn your good old Mac into a NAS, you need to install 3rd-party software that supports Mac since it does not have any currently supported tool.
Tip #4: Trade-In
What to do with old iMac if you don’t like to keep your Mac at home, you can trade it in using the Apple Trade-In service. You can use it as a credit for your next purchase as long as your device meets the requirements.
There are other 3rd-party trade-in services too like Best Buy, UpTrade, Decluttr, Swappa, and more. Before you trade your Mac in, please consider resetting the device into a factory setup to avoid data leakage.
To erase all the contents on your Mac:
- Go to the Apple menu.
- Select System Preferences.
- Choose the System Preferences menu.
- Click Erase All Content and Settings.
Tip #5: Home Automation
Imagine coming home to a fully automated house where your lights, coffee maker, security system, and more sync into one device. Yep, your iMac can be turned into a home automation tool by simply adding software.
Apple has a HomeKit system wherein it lets you control and manage smart devices with your Mac using an app. You can also use 3rd-party software that is compatible with your current operating system.
Part #2: How to Declutter An Old iMac
Whatever tip you may want to follow above to make the most of your old iMac, make sure that you get to clean it up or better yet, declutter it.
But decluttering may consume much of your time and you might not know where to even start cleaning. We recommend using TechyCub Mac Cleaner, powerful software that quickly scans your device for all the junk and clutters that have been hoarded inside for a long time.
Mac Cleaner
Scan your Mac quickly and clean junk files easily.
Check the primary status of your Mac including the disk usage, CPU status, memory usage, etc.
Speed up your Mac with simple clicks.
Free Download
This is also one way of speeding up your old iMac for a better experience. Mac Cleaner has plenty of cleaning features including the following:
- Junk Cleaner.
- Duplicate Finder.
- Shredder.
- App Uninstaller.
- Large & Old File.
- Similar Image Finder.
- And more…
Because these files take up a lot of space, they tend to affect the overall performance of your old iMac. Follow this guide on what to do with old iMac using this Mac Cleaner:
Step #1: Install Mac Cleaner on your old iMac.
Step #2: Launch the software and check the current state of your device. At the onset of the software, you can already see the depleted storage and the available space left.
Step #3: Select Junk Cleaner and Scan.
Step #4: Choose the desired files to erase.
Step #5: Click the Clean button to remove junk files.
Step #6: When seeing the “Cleaned Completed”. It’s done. You can also explore other cleanup features to free up space.
The steps are pretty much similar to every feature of Mac Cleaner. You can explore these tools and reclaim more storage before repurposing your old iMac.
People Also Read [2023 Solved] How to Use iMac As Monitor for PC How to Clean up iMac Effectively with Ease in 2023?
Summary
You have just learned 5 great ideas on what to do with old iMac. So before you decide to store it in the garage or basement, check out which of these tips resounds.
And of course, before jumping into any of these ideas, you first need to ensure that your iMac is ready and fully cleaned. Use Mac Cleaner for an efficient cleanup and reclaim more storage in no time!
