我最近在一台二手电脑上遇到了很多事情。以前，我只拥有一台电脑，但因为这台电脑的定价如此激进，而且我一直想要多一台电脑，所以我没有放弃。在本文中，我们将介绍额外计算机的 10 种可能用途。
以下是可能只是收集灰尘的额外 PC 的一些最受欢迎的用途，以及您可能没有考虑过的一些非传统用途。
1. 额外的电脑
如果您家中只有一台（或几台）主计算机，并且发现自己经常使用 PC，您可能只想考虑在家里添加一台额外的 PC。特别是(Particularly)对于有家庭或拥有多个房间和大量平方英尺的房屋的人。多台PC分散在家里会很方便，这样您就不必随身携带笔记本电脑，或者如果您有台式机作为主要计算机，则每次都不必去机房想用电脑。
对于现代的、以技术为基础的家庭，人们甚至在车库和厨房里安装了电脑。
2.媒体服务器/文件服务器
如果您的多用户家庭中已有多台计算机，您可能只想将额外的 PC 设置为媒体服务器或文件服务器。查看我之前关于将您的 PC 变成流媒体服务器的7 个程序的帖子。
作为媒体服务器，您可以将所有音乐、视频、照片和其他文件存储在 PC 上，与家中的其他计算机共享，甚至将媒体文件流式传输到您的电视。PC 将作为一个集中位置，仅用于存储您的视频、音乐和照片库。
作为文件服务器，您可以与您家中的所有（或选择的）计算机甚至通过Internet共享文件、文件夹、文档等。这使得基本文件共享变得非常方便，而且还可以轻松地将计算机文件或数据从一台 PC 传输到家庭网络上的另一台 PC 或远程传输到其他计算机，而无需刻录光盘或使用 USB 驱动器。
3. HTPC
HTPC或家庭影院 PC(Home Theater PC)是另一种非常流行的用于额外计算机的用途。使用额外的 PC 作为HTPC，您可以将计算机与电视结合使用，以播放Netflix、Hulu、Amazon VOD等。此外，如果您有电视调谐器卡、USB调谐器或网络调谐器，您可以设置HTPC + Windows Media Center，这将允许TIVO功能 ( DVR ) 甚至是现场指南（如果您还没有有线电视盒）。一些最流行的HTPC平台是：
4.备份电脑
如果您没有NAS或现有计算机上的重要文件和数据的备份驱动器，并且没有备份您的数据，您可能需要考虑使用额外的 PC 作为备份设备。使用FreeNAS等免费软件，您可以非常简单地将额外的 PC 设置为可用于备份多台计算机的网络备份。
此外，您可以为计算机购买额外的内部硬盘并将其设置为镜像RAID，这将加强您的备份计划。
第二台具有大硬盘驱动器的 PC 可用于存储重要 PCS 的系统映像(system images of your important PCS)，这可以使用免费的硬盘克隆工具(free hard disk cloning tools)来完成。
5. 存储电脑
如果额外的 PC 具有很大的硬盘容量，您可以简单地将其用作文件、程序、安装程序和其他 PC 数据的通用存储位置。只需(Just)安装一个操作系统，将其连接到您的路由器/家庭网络，然后使用 PC 存储您想要拥有的所有批量软件和文件，但这些软件和文件占用了太多空间，或者您不想在主服务器上拥有这些软件和文件个人电脑; 有点像外置硬盘。
6. 捐赠/礼物
如果您认为额外的 PC 对您几乎没有用处，您可能需要考虑捐赠或赠送 PC。最常见的是，额外的电脑会赠送给可以使用电脑的家庭成员，但如果电脑状况良好，您也可以用电脑制作非常好的节日礼物。有喜欢玩电脑游戏的侄子吗？也许购买一个像样的视频卡，并在这个圣诞节(Christmas)将电脑作为游戏电脑送给他/她。
如果您没有家人愿意使用 PC，您也可以将其捐赠给某个事业。最常见的是，个人电脑被捐赠给当地学校或其他可以使用这些电脑的非营利组织。当地图书馆也是一个积极的捐赠场所，因为它们通常获得有限的资金，并且拥有许多人使用的中档计算机。不要将计算机捐赠给大学。他们向每个学生收取每学期 10,000 美元到 100,000 美元不等的费用。他们不需要捐款，他们正在赚很多钱。
7.儿童电脑
如果您有孩子，您可以简单地将额外的 PC 指定为儿童计算机。这可能会为您的 PC 增加一些保险，同时也让您的孩子有机会了解更多有关技术的信息。指导(Instruct)他们如何安装程序和游戏，并鼓励他们现在学习技术，因为他们将来会使用它。
另外，请阅读我关于如何保护计算机、如何使用家长控制阻止网站以及如何将家庭成员添加到 Microsoft 帐户的文章(add a family member to a Microsoft account)。
8. 部分 PC/Plan B
额外计算机的另一个流行用途是将它们用作零件 PC(Parts PCs)或作为 B 计划，以防现有 PC 出现故障或故障。例如，如果您的主 PC 上的硬盘驱动器、RAM、光驱等出现故障，您只需从额外 PC 中更换部件即可，无需购买新组件。
此外，如果您的主计算机一起出现故障，您可以简单地用额外的 PC 替换它。
9.网络服务器
如果您有高速互联网连接（例如电缆或DSL），则可以将额外的 PC 用作基本的 Web 服务器。使用网络服务器，您可以托管自己的网站、博客甚至电子邮件，因此无需托管费用！这是我设置自己的网络服务器(setting up your own web server)的指南。
10. 监控系统
监控系统是由摄像头驱动的，但其核心，就像当今大多数技术一样，通常基于计算机。因此，您可以为您的家购买一些兼容的监控摄像头，并将额外的 PC 用作系统的监控站。
＃ 奖金
以上额外的 PC 都不适合您吗？以下是一些附加选项：
- 搭建自己的个人云服务器(Build your own personal cloud server)
- 出售计算机 - 将其拆分并单独出售零件或整体出售
- 为开源项目做出贡献——将额外的 PC 连接到互联网并为Berkley’s SETI@Home
- 赠品(Giveaway)——如果您有网站、博客甚至YouTube频道，您可以将电脑赠品给忠实的粉丝或追随者
- 慈善拍卖——(– Auction)在本地或在线拍卖中通过计算机进行拍卖，100% 的拍卖会捐给您最喜欢的慈善机构
- 将 PC 安装到您的车辆中，并将其用作移动计算机 - 从您的无线提供商处添加一个 Wi-Fi 移动热点设备，并随时随地上网
- 将其用作专用防火墙（即pfSense）、路由器或防病毒层
- 将(Convert)额外的计算机转换为您喜爱的游戏的游戏服务器
- 让(Make)某人开心——进入当地的Best Buy或Frys，人们会看到那些正在考虑购买新 PC 的人。找到一个有价值的人，并提议免费为他们提供 PC，从而为他们节省高达 500 美元，他们会当场在新 PC 上花费！
- 学习(Learn)新知识– 安装(– Install)您不熟悉的操作系统，将其用作编码/编程计算机等。
感谢(Thank)您访问该站点以获取今天的帖子，其中总共列出了 20 种使用备用或额外计算机的方法。如果我们的任何网站访问者对额外的计算机有任何其他用途，请随时在评论中列出它们。享受！
10 Things You Can Do With An Extra PC
I recently came across a great deal on a used PC. Before, I only owned one computer, but beсause this PC was priced so aggressively and I’ve been wanting to have an extra PC, I didn’t pass it uр. In this articlе, we will go through 10 possiblе uses for an extra compυter.
Here are some of the most popular uses for an extra PC that may just be collecting dust, and also a few nontraditional uses you may have not considered.
1. Extra PC
If you only have one primary computer in your home (or a few), and find yourself on the PC a lot, you may simply want to consider adding an extra PC to your home. Particularly for people who have families or own homes with several rooms and significant square footage. It can be convenient to have multiple PCs spread out through the home, so that you don’t have to carry a notebook around with you, or if you have a desktop as a primary computer, having to go to the computer room each time you want to use a PC.
For the modern, technology based homes, people have even installed computers in their garages and kitchens.
2. Media Server/File Server
If you have a multi-user home with several computers already, you may simply want to setup the extra PC as a media server or file server. Check out my previous post on 7 programs to turn your PC into a streaming media server.
As a media server, you can store all of your music, videos, photos and other files on the PC, share them with your other computers in the home and even stream the media files to your TV. The PC will serve as a centralized location just for storing your video, music and photo library.
As a file server, you can share files, folders, documents, etc. with all (or select) computers in your home or even across the Internet. This makes it ultra convenient for basic file sharing, but also makes it simple to transfer computer files or data from one PC to the other on your home network or to others remotely, without having to burn discs or use USB drives.
3. HTPC
HTPC, or Home Theater PC, is another very popular use for extra computers. With an extra PC as a HTPC, you can setup your computer in combination with your TV to do things like play Netflix, Hulu, Amazon VOD, etc. Additionally, if you have a TV tuner card, USB tuner or network tuner, you can setup the HTPC + Windows Media Center, which will allow for TIVO functionality (DVR) and even a live guide (if you don’t already have a cable box). Some of the most popular HTPC platforms are:
4. Backup PC
If you don’t have a NAS or backup drive for your important files and data on existing computers and aren’t backing up your data, you may want to consider using the extra PC as a backup device. Using free software such as FreeNAS, you can very simply setup the extra PC as a network backup which can be used to backup multiple computers.
Additionally, you can purchase an extra internal hard drive for the computer and set it up in mirrored RAID, which will strengthen your backup plan.
A second PC with a large hard drive can be used to store system images of your important PCS, which can be done using free hard disk cloning tools.
5. Storage PC
If the extra PC has significant hard drive capacity, you could simply use it as a generic storage location for files, programs, installers and other PC data. Just install an operating system, connect it to your router/home network, and use the PC to store all of the bulk software and files that you want to have, but that take up too much space or you prefer not to have on your primary PC; kind of like a external hard drive.
6. Donate/Gift
If you believe that the extra PC will be of little to no use to you, you may want to consider donating or gifting the PC. Most commonly, extra computers are gifted to family members who could use the PC, but you could also make a very nice holiday gift out of the PC also, if it’s in decent condition. Have a nephew that likes playing PC games? Maybe purchase a decent video card and gift the computer to him/her this Christmas as a gaming PC.
If you don’t have any family who would utilize the PC, you can also donate it to a cause. Most commonly, PCs are donated to local schools or other non-profits who could use the computers. Local libraries are also a positive place to donate, because they usually receive limited funding and have mid-range computers which are used by many people. Do not donate the computer to a college. They charge each student anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 per semester to attend. They don’t need donations, they are making plenty of money.
7. Children’s Computer
If you have kids, you could simply designate the extra PC as a children’s computer. This would likely add some insurance to your PC while also giving your kids an opportunity to learn more about technology. Instruct them on how to install programs and games, and encourage them to learn technology now, because they will be using it in the future.
Also, read my articles on how to childproof a computer, how to block websites using parental controls, and how to add a family member to a Microsoft account.
8. Parts PC/Plan B
Another popular usage for extra computers is using them as Parts PCs or as a Plan B, should an existing PC fail or break down. For example, if the hard drive, RAM, optical drive, etc. goes out on your primary PC, you could simply swap out the parts from the extra PC and you’d be set to go, not having to purchase new components.
Additionally, should your primary computer fail all together, you could simply replace it with the extra PC.
9. Web Server
If you have a high speed internet connection such as cable or DSL, you can utilize the extra PC as a basic web server. With a web server, you can host your own website, blog or even email, so no hosting fees! Here’s my guide on setting up your own web server.
10. Surveillance System
Surveillance systems are camera driven, but the core, like mostly anything technology these days, is usually based off of a computer. Thus, you could purchase some compatible surveillance cameras for your home and use the extra PC as a monitoring station for the system.
# Bonus
None of the above extra PC uses for you? Here are some additional options:
- Build your own personal cloud server
- Sell the computer – part it out and sell parts individually or sell as a whole
- Contribute to open source projects – connect the extra PC to the internet and contribute to projects such as Berkley’s SETI@Home
- Giveaway – if you have a website, blog or even YouTube channel, you could giveaway the computer to a loyal fan or follower
- Auction for charity – Auction off the computer at a local or online auction, with 100% of the proceedings going to your favorite charity
- Install the PC into your vehicle and use it as a mobile computer – add-on a Wi-Fi mobile hotspot device from your wireless provider and get internet on the go
- Use it as a dedicated firewall (i.e. pfSense), router or antivirus layer
- Convert the extra computer into a gaming server for your favorite game
- Make someone’s day – Go into your local Best Buy or Frys and people watch those who are considering purchasing a new PC. Find a worthy person and offer to give them the PC for free, saving them up to $500 that they would have spent on a new PC, on the spot!
- Learn something new – Install an operating system that you are unfamiliar with, use it as a coding/programming computer, etc.
Thank you for stopping by the site for today’s post, which lists 20 ways in total to utilize a spare or extra computer. If any of our site visitors have any other uses for extra computers, feel free to list them in the comments. Enjoy!
