Turn an old Chromebook into a monitor, media server or games machine
An old Chromebook can remain useful after it is replaced, potentially saving money and keeping a working device out of storage. Its screen can serve as a second monitor or digital photo frame, and it can provide a dedicated display for controlling smart home devices.
With Linux installed, a Chromebook can also run Home Assistant, act as a small media server using Plex or Jellyfin, or become a portable retro gaming machine with Batocera. Installing Linux takes more effort and may be unsuitable for beginners; ChromeOS’s built-in Linux environment, Crostini, is easier to access but can perform poorly on older hardware. Emulators are legal, but running pirated games is not.
In short
- Reuse an old Chromebook as a monitor, photo frame or smart home display.
- Linux can turn it into a media server or retro gaming laptop.
- Crostini offers Linux apps, though older devices may struggle.
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Originally published by Engadget as “Don’t throw away your old Chromebook (even if you’re getting a Googlebook)”.