Dig out that MacBook and put it to good use.
To get the most out of your old MacBook, you may have thought about using it as a home Network Attached Storage (NAS) server. There are several paths to take, from very simple use of the built-in macOS sharing tools to advanced Linux-based solutions.
What can you do with a NAS?
Most NAS servers exist for one of three functions: as a home media library, for collaboration and sharing, or for storage and backup. Considering the value of data, storage constraints, and the inherent risk of drive failure with older Macs, you should use external storage drives in your setup.
Once you’ve wiped your Mac, factory reset, and updated to run the most stable macOS possible, what will you need? You will need a network and an Ethernet cable for a fast and stable connection to your router. If your Intel Mac has an HDMI output, you’ll need a headless HDMI jack to trick it into thinking a display is connected and enable the GPU for better video performance. You’ll also use the free Amphetamine app to keep your Mac from sleeping.
macOS has integrated file sharing
Screenshot by Jonny Evans (Apple)
The simplest option is already available in macOS in the Apple built-in version. Sharing settings. Open them to activate File Sharing and select the folders to share. You can assign access privileges to users, make your data available on Windows and Android devices, and even share it from your external drive. You connect using an IP address provided by your Mac and browse shared files through Finder.
Your old Mac? Your new media server
Older Macs can run great media server applications, including Plex, Kodi, and Infuse. Plex is widely used. It offers an attractive and user-friendly interface, ease of use, and the ability to stream content remotely for a fee. Home streaming is free.
As explained here, to install Plex you will need a Plex account and media server, and you must follow the intuitive setup wizard. You’ll show Plex where all your media is on your network, and Plex will download the appropriate artwork and movie information to populate its Netflix-like media browser, showcasing your content.
One more thing: Older Macs with little RAM can stutter when transcoding footage to 4K, so set Plex to stream in original quality to minimize this.
One step closer with Linux
You can turn an old Mac into a highly sophisticated NAS system with Linux and open source applications. This overloads your NAS setup with useful tools like web dashboards, although older Macs with little memory will struggle.
Linux is a large ecosystem with a multitude of approaches. A relatively user-friendly solution for Intel and Apple Silicon Macs is to replace the operating system with Debian and then layer it with CasaOS or Umbrel, both of which provide you with excellent, helpful resources to guide you through the process. M-series Macs can also install Debian as a virtual machine. If you’re comfortable with command line access, you can run Docker directly on Debian to install and manage applications even more efficiently.
It’s important to point out that adopting Linux means your Mac will no longer run macOS but will become a headless NAS system managed remotely via a browser. You can spice up your setup with additional tools, including Nextcloud, which turns your Mac into an online file storage system, or Jellyfin, a free and open source Plex alternative. You’ll have fun and get the most out of your old Mac.
