In my new position teaching at a college, I was given a brand new Dell PC. I have no interest in it being my regular computer as I have been Mac/Apple only since the 80s. I utilize an MB Air M1, and a couple of iPads and don’t need the PC for anything but printing on campus. Yet, it’s a great machine that mostly gathers dust. Outside of the obvious use as an extra screen for the web, are there any clever thoughts on how to use that extra PC?
Thanks.
Donate it to a local charity that provides computers to those in need.
I don’t think my college would appreciate that 
- I really don’t own it.
Ask whether someone else in the department could use the computer.
Ask whether you can barter an exchange of the computer for a printer in your office.
Otherwise, assure that you are not running afoul of restrictions from your IT department as wells FERPA regulations by using your own (personal) computer for doing and storing college work. Or at least be aware that, in using your own personal computer as such, you have to place a high premium on doing your own personal due diligence to minimize the risks of data corruption or theft.
IOW, you may eventually decide that you will do best to keep all work on student-related documents solely the university sanctioned PC.
–
JJW
Do they still have those protein folding research things that need crowdsourced CPU power, or something similar? Download the app, plug it in, turn it on, let it do its thing.
Linux server with Plex.
Looks like Folding@home is still running and needs processing power to “help fight global health threats like COVID19, Alzheimer’s Disease, and cancer.”
They have versions for 32 and 64 bit Windows versions.
Install Linux or *BSD on it and then use it as a file/mail/database server to play around on.
Ask them to swap it for a Dell Ultrasharp monitor with USB-C charging.
Indeed!
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