At HiveLabs, we believe that innovation does not always begin with something brand new. Sometimes, it starts with something forgotten. Recently, I took on a project that perfectly captures that idea. I was given an old eMachines PC tower and a bulky CRT monitor that were going to be thrown away and decided to bring them back to life.
What I ended up creating was what computer builders call a “sleeper” build. That means I took a computer that looks old and unimpressive on the outside and filled it with modern, high-performance parts. On the outside, it still looks like a relic from the early 2000s, but inside, it is powerful enough to run modern games. The rebuild cost around $500 and uses an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 32 gigabytes of high-speed memory, a two-terabyte solid state drive, a compact power supply, and upgraded cooling fans. Now, what used to be e-waste is a powerhouse gaming computer that has become a fun and nostalgic feature in the HiveLabs living room.
This project sparked a bigger idea for our space. It made me think about the early days of home computing when people gathered in person for LAN parties. Back then, before online gaming took over, friends would haul their computers and monitors into one room, connect them with Ethernet cables, and play together late into the night. It was more than gaming; it was about community.
We decided to bring that tradition back. HiveLabs hosted its first LAN party with our beta members, and it was a huge success. The room was full of laughter, teamwork, and that exciting energy you only get when people share a space and play together.
To make these events more accessible, we started repurposing a batch of HP Pavilion 570 office computers that we found for about $45 each. With a $20 graphics card upgrade and a bit of extra memory, these older computers became perfectly capable gaming systems. It is amazing how much potential still exists in machines that most people would throw away.
Of course, we wanted them to look as fun as they perform. Using spray paint and custom vinyl decals cut with one of our member’s Cricut machines, we started turning the HP cases into themed works of art. I am currently making one that looks like a Pizza Hut’s Tiffany-style stained glass lamp, one to look like a Waffle House, one designed like a Florida orange juice box, and another that resembles a milk carton. Maybe I was just hungry when I came up with the ideas, but at least they are fun to make on Canva.
These colorful creations are not just decoration. They represent what HiveLabs stands for. We want to show that technology does not have to be wasteful or dull. It can be personal, creative and even nostalgic. Each finished computer becomes both a gaming system and a “modern art installation.” At least, that is what I tell people when they wonder why there is a milk carton plugged into the wall. But the best part of these projects is seeing our members realize how easy it can be to give old technology new life. A few affordable parts, a bit of time, and some creative thinking can turn “trash” into something amazing.
From a discarded eMachines tower to a powerful gaming computer, and from outdated HP desktops to colorful themed builds, these projects capture what HiveLabs is all about: innovation through reuse, teamwork through community, and creativity that inspires others to see potential in the forgotten.
As we plan our next LAN party surrounded by these revived machines, I cannot help but smile. Sometimes the best technology stories are not about what is new, but about what we choose to save.
