6 ideas to utilize old Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has released more than 12 different models, each offering improved features over the previous model. With all the new Raspberry Pi models available, it's easy to consider older models outdated. However, just like with an old PC, you can still get great results from an old Pi.

1. Create a home security camera

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You don't need a powerful Raspberry Pi to create an affordable motion-detecting security camera. With a low-spec Raspberry Pi model and a Raspberry Pi camera module or even just a Raspberry Pi camera module, you can create a surveillance camera for fun and learning. If your Raspberry Pi model doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi, you'll also need a Wi-Fi receiver or opt for a wired Ethernet connection instead.

The motionEye app is another essential app for this project. This application provides an online interface to the open source video surveillance program, Motion. For easier setup, you can install the motionEye operating system (motionEyeOS) on your Raspberry Pi.

Putting all of these together will get you a video surveillance system that can detect motion and record the results, ready to review later. You can even set up MotionEye to send email and push notifications to another device if an intruder is detected.

Note : Remember that motionEyeOS is outdated and will not run on new hardware. However, it works well on older Raspberry Pi models.

2. Build a Retro gaming system

RetroPie is a retro game distribution that runs on Raspberry Pi and other single-board computers. This is an open source software suite that allows you to rediscover the joy of 8 and 16 bit gaming on Pi.

RetroPie allows emulation of old console games, home computers and arcade machines. There are other options for retro gaming on the Raspberry Pi, such as Batocera (a complete operating system), DOSBOX, and Raspberry Pi game ports that work without an emulator.

You can go further with a themed case, purchased or made yourself, and other peripherals, such as a battery pack for a portable setup, as well as a display and controller. With these items, you can create a portable retro console game that runs on a Raspberry Pi.

3. Run Pi-hole to block all ads

Pi-hole is a Linux network-wide ad and tracker blocker that works on all devices connected to your network. This is a free, lightweight app that only requires 512MB of RAM and therefore works on any Raspberry Pi model, from the oldest to the newest.

Pi-hole is easy to install and you can be up and running in less than 10 minutes. After installing Pi-hole, you can block ads and trackers on any of your connected devices: Smartphones, printers, smart TVs, smart speakers, PCs, etc. Unlike browser extensions, Pi-hole blocks domains at the network level, so it is not limited to ads on websites.

Pi-hole's GitHub repository has all the instructions you need to install the app quickly and conveniently.

4. Host website on Raspberry Pi

Why pay for web hosting when you can run your website from your Raspberry Pi? This could be a personal blog, a portfolio site, or an IoT dashboard that controls your smart devices remotely. Hosting a website or webpage on a Raspberry Pi is fun to use and it can save you money.

You can host a static website with simple text and images on a Raspberry Pi Model A with just 256MB of RAM. If you have a more powerful Raspberry Pi like 3B or 3B+, you can host a dynamic website using Apache or nginx. You can even go further by using Cloudflare Tunnel for more website security.

The Raspberry Pi will always have to be plugged into a handy backup power source. You will also need a reliable Internet connection with an upload speed that can handle the site's traffic.

5. Convert old printer into wireless printer

Do you have a wired printer but want to switch to a wireless device? No need to buy a new printer. It's easy to host a print server on a Raspberry Pi and turn your old wired-only printer into a wireless printer. You can eliminate cables and save yourself the stress of having to drill new holes in the wall every time you move house or rearrange your home office.

To host a wireless print server and send print jobs wirelessly, you will need a Wi-Fi enabled Raspberry Pi model or a wireless USB device and the CUPS print server application installed. Once the Raspberry Pi is connected to the printer and home network, you can use this small computer as a print server.

6. Stream music to old speakers

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An old Raspberry Pi model can bring new life to your old speaker. Once again, the Raspberry Pi offers the opportunity to eliminate messy wires and stream music to speakers without a wireless connection.

You will need an old speaker with AUX input, a Raspberry Pi with audio output (Zero models not included), and the balenaSound app. balenaSound allows you to add multi-room audio streaming to your legacy speakers and audio devices. It supports Bluetooth, Airplay and Spotify Connect and can replace the much more expensive Sonos Port.

You can improve sound quality by purchasing a dedicated DAC HAT that plugs into the 40-pin GPIO header on the Raspberry Pi. To build your own Raspberry Pi music transmitter, follow the instructions on the balena blog.

These projects are just a starting point and with time and inspiration you can even come up with other project ideas to use your old Raspberry Pi model. However, the projects listed above will definitely keep you busy. And when you're ready for a new Pi, be sure to consider the new Raspberry Pi 5 model.

David Pac

Update 09 August 2024