Aging collection of Macs - what to do

[newfoundglory]

Hello

Just wondering whether anyone has any ideas for my ageing collection of Macs?

I have several Macs but not purchased a new one for many years, due to the iPad including my trusty 1st-Gen iPad Pro (2015).

Daily desktop:
Mac mini 2010 (Server) - Core 2 Duo 2.66, 16GB ram, GeFore 320M 256mb and 2x500GB (7200) Apple RAID supported

Occasional desktop:
Mac mini 2011 (Server) - Quad core i7 2.0, 16GB ram, HD3000 512mb and 2x500GB (7200) Apple RAID supported

Laptop:
MBP 2011 15-inch, Quad core i7 2.0, 16GB ram, HD3000 512mb + RadeonHD 6490M 256mb, 120GB SSD

Maximum OS is 10.13 High Sierra, but all run Mojave perfectly well (using patcher obviously) including Night Shift and dynamic desktop, could probably run Catalina, but are now 9-10 years old following daily use. There can be problems using Chrome on Mojave due to graphics acceleration, but fine once disabled in the Chrome settings. No issues with Safari.

These are so good, I never got around to opening the two 2012 Mac mini servers I have in storage (quad core i7 2.3's with 2 x 1TB) and Intel HD 4000 (but at least metal compatibility!)

I'm going to switch up to the 2012 Mac minis, if I can source 16GB RAM upgrades, and now wondering what I could do with these older machines?

 

[mpConroe]

You can connect them to:

Folding@home – Fighting disease with a world wide distributed super computer.

foldingathome.org

You can also sell everything and buy new Mac mini. However, this year was storage upgrade only.

 

[newfoundglory]

Not necessarily looking to sell them.
These Macs are special in some ways, hard drives and memory all replaceable (at least in theory).
The 2010 MM server is low power and heat, and rarer memory which allows it to run 16gb (other than 8) in that model.
I was thinking options in terms of hard drive replacements, virtualisation (ESXi), media serving, linux or unix, installing big spinning laptop drives in there.
No optical media slot, could I change the hard drives for some other sata thing? or SSD and something else.

 

[cr2]

Not necessarily looking to sell them.
hard drives and memory all replaceable (at least in theory).

Max out on memory and get SSDs which should extend the usable life by a few years. I have 2011 MBP, which works just fine, I changed the drive to SSD and occasionally use its DVD. Not much battery left but does its job and the SSD is used to keep an additional backup of files.

 

[kohlson]

Sounds like your in a place where you're thinking of how to invest in them to get even more use out of them. Guestimating from the size of the HDDs, they might be quite old. If they're older than 5 years, rule of thumb is that you've done well, and should consider replacing. SSDs will certainly improve response times - desktop and server. 1TB 2.5 inch SATA are approximately $100.
If you don't have one, a dedicated Time Machine system is a good place to start.

 

[Dave Braine]

wondering what I could do with these older machines?

Well, for what it's worth.

My first Mac, a 2005 PPC Mini has all my music on and is connected to a Bose Wave system.
My second Mac, a 2006 Intel Mini is in my holiday home, connected to the TV where it also has all my music on and also plays TV recordings recorded by:
My third Mac, a 2009 White MacBook which is fitted with an EyeTV dual TV tuner and acts as a video recorder connected to my home TV.
My fourth Mac is a 2015 mid 2012 MBP which is being used to type this.😁😁

 

[thoney]

Classic Mac and Apple Personal Laser Printer
I have a Mac Classic 6.0.7 acquired in March 1991 with original power cord, mouse, and key board - all contained in its original box. I also have an Apple Personal Laser Printer LS acquired at the same time with its original power cord and PC connection cord contained in its original box. I would like to sell both. Any interested collectors out there or sites I should consider? How much does anyone think both units might be worth. All observations and input are greattly appreciated

 

[Fishrrman]

I still have an SE30 and a IIci (with an original AppleColor 13" display!) up in the attic.
Along with a 9600 and a SuperMac c600.
Not to mention a mirror-door g4.
I just don't have the heart to take 'em to recycling...