ultra low profile headless server with built in UPS? Heck yeah!
If you have an external monitor, turn it into a halftop.
If you run any services (jellyfin / a media server, torrents, document storage, etc), have them run on it.
@dessalines sounds interesting, but how does something like jellyfin work on a laptop without any display ?
You use the laptop to run the server that dishes up the content for the client devices that have working displays to watch on
@tophneal too nerdy stuff for me.
I’m afraid if the display is actually dead then most of the options to keep the laptop computing will likely be “too nerdy” for you. Pretty much all of them will involve using it as a headless server.
You won’t be able to do this then. You’d need to learn your way around linux, servers, ssh, etc to be able to run these services.
To make it easy, start off with plugging your old laptop into external monitor. Install RDP, VNC, ssh, ftp depending on your OS. Install tailscale and join the network. Now with another computer, connect to that same network with tailscale and then you can connect and see your laptop screen with RDP. Or if you want VNC you can get a “dummy” hdmi adapter or try installing software for dummy monitor output. After that, use wired ethernet to plug old laptop in router, set to never turn off (recommend removing laptop battery beforehand) and there you go, you have your own personal server you can access anywhere including your phone! From there, look into self-hosting with apps like jellyfin, immich, etc. tons of great resources online.
It depends on why it stopped working. If the display doesnt work because it got dropped chances are other parts of it are broken as well.
Assuming everything else is functioning properly and it has an HDMI/VGA/DVI etc, than it can be connected to an external display.
sure.
You can attach an external display. Or turn it into a small home server
Or as an always online syncthing node, but that basically makes it a homeserver.
With a built-in ups.
Yup, many laptops even have a sim card slot so with that you could even configure it to fall back to mobile data in case of a power outage that also takes out your homes wired internet.
I have a thinkpad at work that has been in that role for years. Its the central syncthing node for like 10 other laptops and computers. It then also does regular backups to off site storage in case anything bad happens with the syncthing setup.
Could also maybe be repaired
Yes, you and a group of your closest friends could have a grand ole time at the local park playing Frisbee with it.
I’m using an old broken netbook to prop open my living room window
u might be able to buy the display cheap and fix it. I’ve previously bought the same model on ebay
Replacing a display in a laptop is a routine operation for IT companies hardware teams. So it should be easy to find a shop that replaces the display.
Totally, assuming of course it’s a business class laptop (indeed if it’s a thinkpad or similar most anyone can grab a $50 screen from China, find a yt tutorial and have a go themselves with a fair chance of success). On the other hand if it’s a glued together ultra thin consumer POS, it’s likely more than it’s worth to get it fixed.
