If you've got an old laptop lying around the house, it's time to put it to good use. You might have a shiny, new laptop, with all the latest bells and whistles, but that doesn't mean your old one doesn't still have a few tricks up its electronic sleeve. Before you toss your old laptop in a corner and forget about it, here are four ways to breathe new life into it.

Use It as a Trainer

Kids love to play with electronic devices. Unfortunately, they don't always provide them with the best care. The last thing you want is to have your little one start wreaking havoc on your new laptop. That's where your old one comes in to play. Set up a desk in your kid's area and let them go to town on your old laptop. They'll be able to learn their way around educational apps and games without destroying your new system.

Extend Your Home Network

If you've been dying for a home server, but can't quite find the budget for one, let your old computer go to work for you. All you'll need to do is connect your old computer to your existing network, and install a free networking program, and you'll have an inexpensive server that will take care of all your streaming and file storage needs.

Enjoy Larger-Than-Life Electronic Photo Display

Digital picture frames are a great way to display all your family photos. Unfortunately, they don't always provide the sharpest images, or the largest display sizes. If you've got family photos stored on your old laptop, don't take the time to transfer them to your new system. Use your old laptop as a digital picture frame. This is particularly easy to do if you have a laptop with a removable keyboard. All you need to do is set the photo's up as a random display screensaver, remove the keyboard, and mount your monitor on the wall. Don't have a removable keyboard? Simply set the laptop up on a table, and turn it on. Your photos will be on display for all to see.

Recycle It

If your laptop has seen better days, and it will serve no other purpose, it's time to head to a recycling center like Ranch Town Recycling Center Inc. An electronics recycling center will dispose of your old laptop safely and efficiently. You might even get a few bucks for it, which you can use for additional gear for your new computer. For information on how to dispose of your old computer, look for an electronics recycling center near you.