Question 1

How do you turn an old laptop into a home lab media center?

Accepted Answer

I started by making it practical: HDMI to the TV, lid-closed operation, and removing Windows bloatware so it’s not fighting me 24/7. Then I layered on the fun/useful stuff—RetroArch for emulators and Plex for a media server. Once that foundation is in, you can add remote control and automations and it becomes way more than “just a laptop.”

Question 2

Can a laptop that can’t run Minecraft still play games on a TV?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and that’s the funniest part. I got RetroArch running DS, Game Boy, N64, and even GameCube—this thing can play Wind Waker. For AAA games, cloud gaming is the cheat code: it’s not perfect, but it works well enough when the connection behaves.

Question 3

What’s the easiest way to control a laptop from the sofa without a mouse?

Accepted Answer

I used Unified Remote on my phone, and it was way better than I expected. You open the app and it just works—mouse control, keyboard, and even app controls if you want them. I like that the paid version is a small one-time cost instead of yet another subscription.

Question 4

How do you set up Plex as a home media server on an old PC?

Accepted Answer

I installed Plex on the laptop and pointed it at a folder where I keep movies and series. Then any device on my Wi‑Fi can access it—phones, tablets, the kids’ stuff, the lot. It’s basically my “stop paying for every streaming app” button, and I love it.

Question 5

How did you self-host N8N on Windows without using Linux?

Accepted Answer

Normally people do this on Linux, but I’m not confident enough to just throw Linux on a machine and pretend I know what I’m doing. So I used Docker to run N8N, then ngrok to expose it so I can access it properly. It took a few different YouTube tutorials and some troubleshooting, but the payoff is huge: N8N goes from ~£20/month to basically free.

Question 6

Is cloud gaming worth it on an old laptop?

Accepted Answer

It’s either okay or absolutely terrible—there’s not much in-between. I got it closer to the “okay” side, but you’ll still notice some latency and the occasional weird controller moment. If you want near-zero latency and you already have a gaming PC, Steam Link over local Wi‑Fi is the better play.

Question 7

How do you remotely control an old laptop from your main PC?

Accepted Answer

I use Parsec, and it’s one of my favourite tools for this kind of setup. It gives me a live view of the laptop and I can interact with it like I’m sat in front of it. I also set up quick file sharing so I can drag and drop movies or footage onto the laptop without even opening a remote session.

Question 8

What are some extra home lab uses you added besides media and games?

Accepted Answer

I added a 4TB drive for storage and started using it for archived footage so I’m not relying on Google Drive as much. I also set up a local Minecraft server for playing with my kids without paying for hosting. And I installed HandBrake so I can offload video encoding to the laptop instead of hammering my main editing PC.

I Turned an Old Laptop into The ULTIMATE Home Lab

🛍️ Products Mentioned (18)

RetroArch (Game Emulator)

Unified Remote (Remote App)

Plex (Media Server for Movies & Shows)

VPN (Internet Protection - NordVPN)

N8N (Automation - Paid Version)

IFTTT (Automation)

Zapier (Automation)

Docker (N8N Self-Host Thing)

NGrok (Personal API Domain)

Parsec (Screen Sharing)

Gemini AI Pro (4 Months Free)

Twitch

Kick

Support the channel - Apparel, editing presets & more

Discord Product

Main PC Build

Peripherals & Gadgets

Make (Automation Tool)

About This Video

Frequently Asked Questions

🎬 More from HeroVision