Is it possible to mine bitcoin with my laptop?

[Cleanshit]

Though I've been considering it for a while, I've just now made the decision to bring it up in this thread to get additional explanation. Using a laptop, I would like to mine bitcoins. Not just for the sake of making money, the goal is to understand how mining operates without having to buy electricity or an ASIC. I considered purchasing a used ASIC for a low price, but I'm afraid I'll end up with a defective one. An ASIC will probably be too noisy for me to use at home, where I will be mining. After doing some study, I was also considering trying to use the waste heat to offset my house heating, but it just seems too costly and dangerous for what will likely be an essential learning experience.

So, can I mine bitcoin on a laptop? is my query. I just want to know how it all works; I'm not concerned about making money. With almost no chance of winning the block reward, might I download the bitcoin core, operate a full node, and let it hash away, content with the knowledge I've gathered along the way?

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[Hatchy]

It's not a good idea to mine Bitcoin on a laptop because it needs a lot of computing power and can make your laptop overheat. It uses up a ton of electricity, and the money you make might not cover the costs of running your laptop all day. Plus, mining can damage your PC since laptops aren't built for the heat mining generates. If you're really interested in mining, it's better to consider building a GPU rig.
Just as you've stated, the Asic can generate noise due to the cooling fans and other components involved in their operation but for a more efficient and effective mining it would be better to use the appropriate equipments.

[NeuroticFish]

So, can I mine bitcoin on a laptop?

You cannot mine bitcoin with your laptop alone. Bitcoin difficulty is too big and you will never find anything, just waste electricity.
You should read a little in here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2415854.0
PS. Your question may belong to mining or beginners, but not technical area, maybe you consider moving this topic, see bottom-left


Now, if you want to learn about mining you can seek some altcoins with low difficulty or ASIC resistant. Meaning ask in altcoins mining section. (Even pool mining for Monero may work).
Just keep in mind that:
* you will most probably get no profit at all off all this
* mining means heavy use of your CPU and possibly GPU (depending on the coin and the hardware you have), preferably 24/7. Laptops are not meant for such use, hence you risk burning it (and possibly your home too), or, with proper (extra) ventilation you will just shorten the life of your laptop's components

This is how I see it.

[jrrsparkles]

If you're really interested in mining, it's better to consider building a GPU rig.

Mining Bitcoin with GPU isn't profitable either for years now, you need to have ASICs to mine Bitcoin or GPU rigs to mine the shitcoins.
To OP, even if you have free lifetime electricity you are not going to make a penny via mining through your laptop whereas the continuous usage of the device will wreck and cause hardware failures in your laptop.

If you want to have some BTC then sell your Laptop on eBay and buy BTC with that money that is 100x better than the idea of mining with a laptop.

[Amphenomenon]

I considered purchasing a used ASIC for a low price, but I'm afraid I'll end up with a defective one. An ASIC will probably be too noisy for me to use at home, where I will be mining. After doing some study, I was also considering trying to use the waste heat to offset my house heating, but it just seems too costly and dangerous for what will likely be an essential learning experience.

In as much as mining bitcoin pays, its not profitable for everyone and so you just have to find what is better for you. You can find various ways to earn bitcoin aside mining and of the best is getting paid through bitcoin. I advice you to use the money you wanted to get a ASICS machine to buy and HODL bitcoin with this you will make more money.

So, can I mine bitcoin on a laptop? is my query. I just want to know how it all works; I'm not concerned about making money. With almost no chance of winning the block reward, might I download the bitcoin core, operate a full node, and let it hash away, content with the knowledge I've gathered along the way?

NeuroticFish, as already gave a detailed reason why you can't mine bitcoin with laptops. Also about the node, in Bitcoin you are not paid for running a node.

[Charles-Tim]

Gone are the days that you can mine bitcoin with CPU (I mean laptop, desktop ex cetera). Also gone are the days that you can mine bitcoin with graphics card (GPU). If you want to mine bitcoin, you will need to get yourself ASIC that can generate multiple of terahash of computing power. If you want to get an ASIC, you can read about Bitcoin Antminer which are recommendable.

[CODE200]

Short answer: Yes

Helpful answer: You could, but depending on the processing power of your laptop, as well as the GPU that comes with it (if you're opting for GPU mining which I would like to commend you for cause nobody dared to ever do that on a laptop lol) you might get negligible, to literal peanuts in cryptocurrencies. Honestly speaking, if you're going to mine cryptocurrencies might as well just go for those second-hand ASIC miners which costs just as much as a regular laptop, with the upside that these miners are way more fit to do bitcoin mining since that's their mine directive in the first place.

[Myleschetty]

Though I've been considering it for a while, I've just now made the decision to bring it up in this thread to get additional explanation. Using a laptop, I would like to mine bitcoins. Not just for the sake of making money, the goal is to understand how mining operates without having to buy electricity or an ASIC.

If the aim is to understand how Bitcoin mining operates instead of buying used/cheap ASIC or laboring your laptop which will lead to the computer overheating you should mine altcoin that emulates BTC procedure which is still good for mining using a laptop.

[DiscoCryptos]

So, can I mine bitcoin on a laptop?

Naw my man, don't do it, Bricked a $1,500 Razor Blade 14" and LUCKILY Best Buy took it back. Usually the first thing to go out is the power brick like it did on the HP G10 I used. Oh Trust me I TRIED everything at first!!!! They just don't like the constant power draw.

My advice for just starting out is to look into building a small 6 card mining rig using 1660 Super cards. They are really
inexpensive to buy, under $100,  and with the right OC (OverClock) they draw about 60-75 Watts each and can make about $0.10 a day which is not much, BUT you will learn how to set up a rig, mange said rig and introduce yourself to crypto mining. You can use NiceHash for a wallet and be up and running in minutes. That Easy!!!

Feel free to DM if you have any questions and just remember, Have Fun!!!!

[NotATether]

My advice for just starting out is to look into building a small 6 card mining rig using 1660 Super cards. They are really
inexpensive to buy, under $100,  and with the right OC (OverClock) they draw about 60-75 Watts each and can make about $0.10 a day which is not much, BUT you will learn how to set up a rig, mange said rig and introduce yourself to crypto mining. You can use NiceHash for a wallet and be up and running in minutes. That Easy!!!

It will be a great "learning experience" if you want to call it that, but why on earth are you wasting hundreds of $$$ on GPUs [the 1660 super goes for $250-300 each] just so that you can make $0.10 a day?

Actually, I think the age of GPU mining is over. ETH is now using proof of stake, Monero never let you mine at full speed with your GPU (by design), and even NVIDIA is rumored to be throttling the hash rate of their cards.

[FP91G]

So, can I mine bitcoin on a laptop? is my query. I just want to know how it all works; I'm not concerned about making money. With almost no chance of winning the block reward, might I download the bitcoin core, operate a full node, and let it hash away, content with the knowledge I've gathered along the way?

To set up a Bitcoin node on a laptop, you can use this guide
How to Run a Bitcoin Node: A Step-by-Step Tutorial (2023)
https://ambcrypto.com/blog/how-to-run-a-bitcoin-node-a-step-by-step-tutorial-2023/
But if you want to make a profit from mining, then use nicehash. You will mine other coins and receive payments in Bitcoin.
Also check out safar1980's list of services that pay rewards in BTC.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5457533.0

[DiscoCryptos]

My advice for just starting out is to look into building a small 6 card mining rig using 1660 Super cards. They are really
inexpensive to buy, under $100,  and with the right OC (OverClock) they draw about 60-75 Watts each and can make about $0.10 a day which is not much, BUT you will learn how to set up a rig, mange said rig and introduce yourself to crypto mining. You can use NiceHash for a wallet and be up and running in minutes. That Easy!!!

"1660 super goes for $250-300 each" WRONG!!!!

"Actually, I think the age of GPU mining is over." again, WRONG!!!!

"NVIDIA is rumored to be throttling the hash rate of their cards." and you guessed it, WRONG!!!!

Do NOT listen to anyone that shits on good ideas. They are usually' as proven in this case, 80-99% WRONG!!!!

Follow what your gut tells you even if its not the right choice at first. You`ll get there my dude!

[goldkingcoiner]

My advice for just starting out is to look into building a small 6 card mining rig using 1660 Super cards. They are really
inexpensive to buy, under $100,  and with the right OC (OverClock) they draw about 60-75 Watts each and can make about $0.10 a day which is not much, BUT you will learn how to set up a rig, mange said rig and introduce yourself to crypto mining. You can use NiceHash for a wallet and be up and running in minutes. That Easy!!!

"1660 super goes for $250-300 each" WRONG!!!!

"Actually, I think the age of GPU mining is over." again, WRONG!!!!

"NVIDIA is rumored to be throttling the hash rate of their cards." and you guessed it, WRONG!!!!

Do NOT listen to anyone that shits on good ideas. They are usually' as proven in this case, 80-99% WRONG!!!!

Follow what your gut tells you even if its not the right choice at first. You`ll get there my dude!

What kind of professional level trolling is this? NotATether is an expert in mining matters. It is usually a good idea to listen to him regarding technical mining matters. Do you have any links you can offer that prove he is wrong? I just checked the prices for 1660 Super cards and they are just as he said, $250-300 USD. Sure perhaps you can get it somewhat cheaper on ebay for a used model. But it won't be that much cheaper.

[KiaKia]

I remember in 2021 bull market, some crypto miners can't get their hands on GPU anymore and they are forced to purchase laptops for mining, it was a beauty and crazy sight to see at the same time.

You will have to do research if there are new coins you can mine with a laptop CPU, but the value of such coin is what will determine the profit wise when mining, most coins turn profitable in a bull market when price increases.

The answer is NO, laptops can't mine Bitcoin and Yes, some coins might have algorithm that supports CPUs for mining.

[Davidvictorson]

So, can I mine bitcoin on a laptop? is my query. I just want to know how it all works; I'm not concerned about making money. With almost no chance of winning the block reward, might I download the bitcoin core, operate a full node, and let it hash away, content with the knowledge I've gathered along the way?

Absolutely not. You should not do that, without proper undervolting it will be like playing a very intensive videogame non-stop. Additionally, if your intention is to mine using the processor, it will not be worth it.  The potential earnings are minimal and don't justify the risk of potentially damaging your CPU.

[FP91G]

So, can I mine bitcoin on a laptop? is my query. I just want to know how it all works; I'm not concerned about making money. With almost no chance of winning the block reward, might I download the bitcoin core, operate a full node, and let it hash away, content with the knowledge I've gathered along the way?

Absolutely not. You should not do that, without proper undervolting it will be like playing a very intensive videogame non-stop. Additionally, if your intention is to mine using the processor, it will not be worth it.  The potential earnings are minimal and don't justify the risk of potentially damaging your CPU.

The laptop cooling system simultaneously cools the processor, video chip and video memory. If there is overheating, then all the important elements of the laptop will suffer. Using your own laptop is as pointless as buying a premium car and operating a budget taxi. But some mine on other people's laptops.

[joniboini]

the goal is to understand how mining operates without having to buy electricity or an ASIC.

What kind of understanding are you trying to achieve here? The steps to run a miner, including setting up your wallet etc, or just the general idea of how mining works? Have you tried checking some tutorials on YouTube to see how they do it? I'm pretty sure there are other articles related to how to set up a miner for each miner app/hardware too.

I'm not sure why you need to do it yourself to understand how mining is done unless you're the type that likes to do stuff on your own following a tutorial to understand it. I believe the testnet method is the best choice for you (assuming your laptop is properly cooled), although, from your post history, it doesn't look like you're familiar with the specifics yet. Hopefully, you'll be able to learn and understand it quickly. CMIIW.

[FP91G]

the goal is to understand how mining operates without having to buy electricity or an ASIC.

What kind of understanding are you trying to achieve here? The steps to run a miner, including setting up your wallet etc, or just the general idea of how mining works? Have you tried checking some tutorials on YouTube to see how they do it? I'm pretty sure there are other articles related to how to set up a miner for each miner app/hardware too.

I'm not sure why you need to do it yourself to understand how mining is done unless you're the type that likes to do stuff on your own following a tutorial to understand it. I believe the testnet method is the best choice for you (assuming your laptop is properly cooled), although, from your post history, it doesn't look like you're familiar with the specifics yet. Hopefully, you'll be able to learn and understand it quickly. CMIIW.

I've been mining for about 7 years now and I don't know how mining works. I can assemble mining rigs, do electrician work, and independently maintain mining rigs and other equipment. I know how to calculate the profit and payback of mining, and select the necessary equipment. But if you ask me what kind of calculations an ASIC or video card does, I won’t tell you

To learn mining it is better to buy such a device
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5466940

[JayDDee]

It's not necessary to spend anything on gadgets and it's probably counter productive to learning. You'll have to learn how to use the gadget
before you learn anything about mining. Any old PC is ideal for learning, as long as it's no longer needed for important stuff.

[FP91G]

It's not necessary to spend anything on gadgets and it's probably counter productive to learning. You'll have to learn how to use the gadget
before you learn anything about mining. Any old PC is ideal for learning, as long as it's no longer needed for important stuff.

But I don’t know what you can learn on an old computer. Firstly, you will get a lot of electricity consumption if you mine, let's say 200-300 watts from the wall. And this knowledge cannot be used in modern mining.
New gadgets have communities where you can learn something, but I haven't heard of communities for mining bitcoins on old PCs.