A do-it-yourself project shows how components from broken laptops can be repurposed into compact gaming PCs resembling Steam Machine alternatives. It matters because it offers a potentially cheaper, less wasteful route to PC gaming by extending the life of hardware that might otherwise be discarded.

The approach centres on using a laptop motherboard and inexpensive supporting parts, with the base components reportedly costing less than a 32GB RAM kit. Performance and practicality will depend on the specific laptop hardware, condition of the parts and the software used, so it is primarily an option for technically confident users rather than a straightforward replacement for a new gaming PC.