After welcoming yet another computer into my house, I realised I should do a stocktake of all the PCs currently in my possession and try to remember what the hell it is I do with all these devices. As of December 2025:
i5-7500, 8GB RAM, 480GB SATA SSD, 18TB SATA HDD, Debian 12
Sits in the garage and runs my Usenet & Plex setup plus some other random Docker containers. Surprisingly reliable despite the summer heat, humidity, dust and insects.
i3-7100T, 8GB RAM, 256GB SATA SSD, Debian 12
Lies on top of the Dell PC in the garage and runs a Discourse forum for my friends that we never use, but I don't want to repurpose on the off chance someone else decides to start posting there again.
i7-4790, 8GB RAM, 128GB SATA SSD, 2x 8TB SATA HDDs, Alpine v3.22.2
Was used for Usenet & Plex until I got the Dell, now is just a file server that keeps a copy of the stuff I upload to the Internet Archive or other random data I'm hoarding.
i7-7700K, 16GB RAM, 120GB SATA SSD, GTX960, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC
I built this computer as a Hackintosh almost a decade ago for a friend who then many years later, gave it to me when they moved overseas. I don't use it for much except ripping CDs/DVDs/Blu-Rays as it's the only PC I own that can take 5.25" drives.
Ryzen 9 7945HX, 32GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC
My newest computer! Purchased it off Aliexpress a few weeks ago in their Singles Day sale for $670 delivered. Chucked in the RAM & SSD later. Will probably use it as my default scanning PC, as all those CPU cores are great for turning 600DPI TIFF files into highly compressed RAR archives and the PCIe slot means I can connect an LTO tape drive.
Ryzen 5 9600X, 32GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, RX 9070 XT, Bazzite
Built this a few months ago so I could play some games that are not on the Xbox. I don't use it as much as I like, but when I do get time to play some games on it, I'm glad I have it. Bazzite/Steam is so good I'm thinking of selling my Xbox Series X as it's used even less and there's nothing exclusive to Xbox worth playing now IMHO.
i5-6300U, 8GB RAM, 512GB SATA SSD, Fedora Workstation 43
CPU is weak, ethernet port dead, battery only lasts 90 minutes and there's a white dot on the display so it's not worth selling but not at e-waste level. Lives in the garage as my "ah shit I'm working on something I need to look it up and I don't want to go back in the house" PC. The best keyboard I own.
i7-1165G7, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD, Ubuntu 25.10 & Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC
Only really purchased this because it was ridiculously cheap on Facebook Marketplace from a guy in the same suburb as me. Great laptop, is my go-to Windows/Linux box when I need something the Mac can't do. Also has an excellent keyboard.
M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD, macOS 15.7.2
Busted screen, big dent in it, all scratched up. Got it off Facebook Marketplace as well for a really cheap price on a hunch it would still work as a desktop PC. I was right! It's my main computer. Needs more stickers.
M4 Pro, 48GB RAM, 512GB SSD, macOS 15.7.2
Work supplied laptop that's not locked down at all. Right now it's basically a glorified Slack & Notion device , but I plan to install macOS 26 on it soon and migrate it over to be my primary computer.
Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, SteamOS
I wanted a Steam Deck but saw this on Facebook Marketplace close by for an excellent price so got it instead. I should really play more than Balatro on it. Useful for when the Xbox/gaming PC is in use by another family member or sitting in the car waiting for someone.
Allwinner H3, 512MB RAM, 16GB microSD, Armbian 26.2
Many years ago I purchased 150 of these little computers, loaded them up with Pi-Hole and sold them to Sizzle subscribers as dedicated whole network ad-blockers. I re-purposed mine to run EVCC.io, something I should write a blog post about because it is a very good piece of software.
Broadcom BCM2711, 4GB RAM, 64GB microSD, Home Assistant OS
Who amongst us that declares themselves a computer nerd doesn't have a Raspberry Pi of some form in their home? Mine quietly runs Home Assistant with a Zigbee radio attached. It's got an "endurance" microSD card but I assume it'll die sooner rather than later.
Motorola 68030, 8MB RAM, 20MB HDD, Mac OS 7.something
Currently in pieces waiting refurbishment. Mainboard is in Sydney with a friend who will hopefully repair it for me when they have time. Needs a few other accessories and a good clean but I would like to get it operational in time for MARCHintosh 2026.
I promise not to bring any more computers home until I make proper use of all the computers I already have. Unless a stone cold bargain materialises at the right place, at the right time, that's too good to pass up.
