```json
{
    "title": "Retiring an old friend",
    "url": "https://performancezen.com/2026/07/13/retiring-an-old-friend/",
    "datePublished": "2026-07-13",
    "dateModified": "2026-07-13",
    "language": "en-US",
    "description": "On July 10 2026, I retired the 2008 13\" Macbook Aluminum that has been running as my web server/firewall/testbed for the last 4-5 years. A couple of unexpected power events…",
    "author": "spierzchala",
    "publisher": "Performance Zen"
}
```

# Retiring an old friend

On July 10 2026, I retired the 2008 13" Macbook Aluminum that has been running as my web server/firewall/testbed for the last 4-5 years. A couple of unexpected power events and complete server lockups indicated that this old friend needed a rest.

I replaced it with [this](https://www.geekompc.com/geekom-a5-mini-pc/) -- no endorsement on my part; just stating the facts. While a small homelab/office workstation cube may not be to everyone's liking, I can tell you that with resource-constrained applications where the old Macbook had struggled, the new machine is more than capable.

I had considered buying an old laptop to serve the purpose, but this little box is quiet, unobtrusive, and does what I ask it too.

I'm a little sad to see a laptop that I have been using since 2008 fall out of service, but there comes a point where it just doesn't do any job anymore.

I'm not getting rid of it. I'm sure I will find a use for it some day. Just like everytime I thought that it was permanently retired. There is always a use for computer hardware of all kinds.