Chromebooks offer lasting value beyond their initial purpose, providing multiple second-life solutions for aging devices. Rather than discarding an outdated laptop, users can repurpose it as a secondary monitor via apps like Duet, which extends or mirrors screens to a primary PC or Mac for a small subscription fee. Alternatively, the device functions effectively as a digital photo frame; users simply load desired images, disable screen timeout, and display slideshows in fullscreen mode.
For smart home integration, the Chromebook serves as a dedicated control hub by accessing Google Home through a browser or the Android app, or by running Home Assistant on connected hardware like a PC or Raspberry Pi. This setup provides an easy-to-use display capable of managing an entire smart home ecosystem from a single location. More technically inclined users can install Linux on the Chromebook using guides from Chrultrabook or Mr Chromebox, unlocking advanced capabilities such as running Home Assistant directly on the device or transforming it into a retro gaming machine using Batocera, a Linux emulator app.
For those hesitant to install a full operating system, the built-in Crostini feature offers a Linux virtual machine for developer tools and other applications, though performance may be limited on older hardware. Regardless of technical skill, an old Chromebook remains a versatile tool for media streaming, file serving, and specialized computing tasks.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing