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The fact that you have an old unused laptop indicates that you also have a newer machine. There's no reason not to play on that newer machine instead, so I have

The fact that you have an old unused laptop indicates that you also have a newer machine. There's no reason not to play on that newer machine instead, so I have a hard time understanding the point of the article. There are way better uses for old laptops, such as using it as a homelab, media server, etc.

wccrawford 2y ago
It could be used to create a bartop (or full-blown) arcade cabinet, perhaps. Or even just a "gaming console" hooked to a TV, rather than having to play at a desk in another room. Of course, you could also just plug in that new laptop to either of those things, but sometimes having a dedicated device for something is just more convenient, especially if you've already got the hardware laying around going to waste.
knighthack 2y ago
I tend to have newer machines as main machines, and which may not necessarily be gaming machines; subsidiary machines be dedicated to a TV, or to side-rooms. Not all gaming needs to be done on your newer machine.
rpastuszak 2y ago
YMMV but for some people: - it's more fun to have a device dedicated to one thing (or turned into a toy) - just the act of making one is fun
wslh 2y ago
I don't fully agree with you. I’m planning to set up a "MAME cabinet" at home, and in an era with countless devices, my first thought would be to use one of the Raspberry Pis I already own. But just yesterday, while organizing my closet, this HN post reminded me that I have a "parked" x220. It’s funny how the neurons connect sometimes. Connecting simple dots like these is often undervalued.
fsflover 2y ago
> There's no reason not to play on that newer machine instead I prefer a secure OS: My main machine runs Qubes OS and protects me from all practical attack vectors. As a downside, it doesn't support any games.
II2II 2y ago
One reason: to keep games off of your productivity machine. I have a modern laptop and desktop, so I simply do work on the laptop and play on the desktop. Not everyone has that option. It's also possible to have an old unused laptop without having a newer machine. Not very likely in this case since the author seems to be very much interested in computers, but there are certainly people out there who have replaced their computers with mobile devices and may not even touch a traditional computer (outside of work).
walthamstow 2y ago
Unless your newer machine is a MacBook
- iLoveOncall 2y ago
  Any Mac Silicon will destroy a 10 years old laptop in gaming performance. I frequently play on my work M1.

wccrawford 2y ago

It could be used to create a bartop (or full-blown) arcade cabinet, perhaps. Or even just a "gaming console" hooked to a TV, rather than having to play at a desk in another room. Of course, you could also just plug in that new laptop to either of those things, but sometimes having a dedicated device for something is just more convenient, especially if you've already got the hardware laying around going to waste.

knighthack 2y ago

I tend to have newer machines as main machines, and which may not necessarily be gaming machines; subsidiary machines be dedicated to a TV, or to side-rooms. Not all gaming needs to be done on your newer machine.

rpastuszak 2y ago

YMMV but for some people: - it's more fun to have a device dedicated to one thing (or turned into a toy) - just the act of making one is fun

wslh 2y ago

I don't fully agree with you. I’m planning to set up a "MAME cabinet" at home, and in an era with countless devices, my first thought would be to use one of the Raspberry Pis I already own. But just yesterday, while organizing my closet, this HN post reminded me that I have a "parked" x220. It’s funny how the neurons connect sometimes. Connecting simple dots like these is often undervalued.

fsflover 2y ago

> There's no reason not to play on that newer machine instead I prefer a secure OS: My main machine runs Qubes OS and protects me from all practical attack vectors. As a downside, it doesn't support any games.

II2II 2y ago

One reason: to keep games off of your productivity machine. I have a modern laptop and desktop, so I simply do work on the laptop and play on the desktop. Not everyone has that option. It's also possible to have an old unused laptop without having a newer machine. Not very likely in this case since the author seems to be very much interested in computers, but there are certainly people out there who have replaced their computers with mobile devices and may not even touch a traditional computer (outside of work).

walthamstow 2y ago

Unless your newer machine is a MacBook

iLoveOncall 2y ago
Any Mac Silicon will destroy a 10 years old laptop in gaming performance. I frequently play on my work M1.