Many newcomers to cryptocurrencies want to try crypto mining on PC but are unsure if this method of earning is really suitable for them. Since they only want to try mining and are hesitant to invest in mining equipment, they are faced with the question, "Can I mine crypto on my laptop?" In this article, we'll cover how to mine cryptocurrency on a laptop, which crypto is best to mine using a laptop, as well as how to mine crypto for free.

How to mine crypto on an old PC or laptop

So, can you mine cryptocurrency on a laptop? Yes, you can, but you have to keep a couple of things in mind. Firstly,mining on an old PC or laptop won't bring any noticeable income. Secondly, laptops, by design, are not suitable for crypto mining, and prolonged mining will cause damage to the device. Therefore, mining on a laptop can serve as an introduction, but you will not be able to do full-fledged mining.

What do I need to mine crypto on my laptop?

To use your computer to mine cryptocurrency, besides the laptop itself, you'll need the following:

1. A stable internet connection. The computer must be connected to the internet continuously during the mining process.
2. Cheap electricity. The cost of electricity is one of the most important components of the cost of crypto mining. Therefore, if you live in a region where electricity is expensive, mining is likely to be unprofitable for you.
3. Mining software. As Ethereum's move to the PoS algorithm has made GPU mining unprofitable, you will need software that allows you to mine on CPUs. Some of the most popular free CPU mining software include CudaMiner, MinerGate and Spelunker.

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Technical recommendations

• Before downloading mining software, you will probably need to temporarily disable your antivirus software, as most antiviruses perceive mining software as a virus. For the same reason, you will need to whitelist your mining software on your antivirus.
• Remember that laptops are not designed for the stress that crypto mining puts on them. Prolonged mining at full hardware (CPU or GPU) capacity will cause accelerated wear and tear on your laptop and eventually damage it. Set up your mining software so that it doesn't use the resources of the hardware to its full capacity. Install a programme to monitor the temperature of the hardware, and don't let it overheat. Also, consider that the cooling fans will also wear out faster than usual, and replacing laptop fans is often not easy.
• Make sure your laptop is clean and free of dust.
• Before you run the mining software, remember to enter your crypto wallet address and make sure the wallet is compatible with the coin you intend to mine.
• Find a reputable mining pool for the crypto of your choice. Mining pools are a much more cost-effective way for a small miner to mine crypto than solo mining.

The easiest crypto to mine with on a laptop

As of October 2023, GPU mining is experiencing hard times. The Ethereum merge has resulted in the most popular cryptocurrency among GPU miners becoming unavailable for mining. This, in turn, has led to a mass exodus of GPU miners to other cryptocurrencies, the mining difficulty of which has increased dramatically as a result. The profitability of mining, already very low due to the ongoing crypto winter, has fallen even further.

Of course, this will cause many GPU miners to go out of business, but the mining difficulty will eventually decrease, and the situation in the mining industry will come back into balance. But at the moment, in order to make even a minuscule profit from GPU mining, you need to have an efficient GPU and access to cheap electricity.

For this reason, we will pay particular attention to coins that can be effectively mined on CPUs. In any case, the mining profitability directly depends not only on the mining difficulty but also on the price of cryptocurrencies, which can change quickly and dramatically. So before you start mining, check the profitability with one of the online mining calculators.

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Monero (XMR)

Monero is one of the easiest cryptos to mine on a laptop. It's also one of the most popular cryptocurrencies with anonymous transactions. Monero uses the RandomX algorithm optimised for CPU mining. At the moment, of the cryptocurrencies that can be efficiently mined on CPUs, Monero is not only the most profitable but also the most liquid.

Monero (XMR) mining stats (as of 16/10/2023)

VerusCoin (VRSC)

If you're wondering, "What is the easiest crypto to mine on a laptop?", consider trying VerusCoin. Verus is a little-known but ambitious project that positions itself as "an entire ecosystem of interconnected blockchains that all operate decentralised and at the protocol level". VerusCoin, like Monero, is optimised for mining with CPU. It's not traded on any of the major cryptocurrency exchanges, and its mining is currently noticeably less profitable than Monero's. However, if the crypto market changes, it could become a viable alternative to Monero mining.

VerusCoin (VRSC) mining stats (as of 16/10/2023)

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Grin (GRIN)

GRIN is an anonymous cryptocurrency based on the MimbleWimble protocol. Its main stated purpose is to provide maximum user privacy. An interesting distinguishing feature of the cryptocurrency is the reduction of its blockchain size by removing old transaction data without compromising the security of the network. Even though the market cap is small, the coin is traded on major crypto exchanges such as Gate.io and KuCoin.

The coin mining algorithm is ASIC-resistant, so it's most profitable to mine it on a GPU. At the moment, it's one of the few coins whose mining on the GPU is able to make a profit, albeit a minimal one. There is a chance that after the situation in the GPU mining industry settles down, GRIN could remain one of the most profitable coins for mining with GPUs.

Grin (GRIN) mining stats (as of 16/10/2023)

Litecoin (LTC)

Litecoin, known as one of the oldest cryptocurrencies, has earned its reputation as a viable alternative to Bitcoin. This decentralised digital currency operates on an open-source, peer-to-peer network. As of the present moment, each miner is rewarded with 12.5 Litecoin for successfully completing a block. It's worth noting that the Litecoin block reward is subject to halving every four years, resulting in a reduction to 6.25 LTC in 2023.

Litecoin (LTC) mining stats (as of 16/10/2023)

Engaging in LTC mining proves to be a favourable choice due to its widespread acceptance and utilisation of the Scrypt protocol. Unlike other cryptocurrencies, LTC mining doesn't require an investment in ASIC chips, making it more accessible. It is highly recommended to mine LTC using a graphics processing unit (GPU) due to its memory-intensive nature. The primary reason behind LTC's popularity in mining lies in its relative stability compared to various alternative coins.

Furthermore, LTC holds a prominent position on major cryptocurrency exchanges and boasts a comparatively low transaction fee. This factor provides a sense of security, as the price of Litecoin is less likely to experience abrupt and drastic drops overnight (although it's important to acknowledge the inherent volatility of the crypto market). Additionally, LTC is one of the few cryptocurrencies that offer almost negligible transaction fees.

Dogecoin (DOGE)

Emerging as the pioneer of "meme coins", Dogecoin has surpassed a market capitalisation of over $20 billion. Its remarkable ascent in the world of cryptocurrency can be largely attributed to the attention it received from influential figures such as Elon Musk and Mark Cuban.

Dogecoin (DOGE) mining stats (as of 16/10/2023)

In contrast to many other cryptocurrencies that have a limited supply, Dogecoin stands apart with its infinite supply. Consequently, it should not be regarded as a reliable safeguard against contemporary inflationary pressures. Similar to Litecoin, Dogecoin utilises the Scrypt protocol for mining, fostering a more competitive and equitable mining environment. However, it is important to note that mining Dogecoin on a gaming laptop would not be a feasible option.

To mine Dogecoin effectively, one can employ software like GUIMiner or CudaMiner alongside a powerful combination of GPU and CPU. These tools, when coupled with appropriate hardware, enable individuals to engage in the mining process and contribute to the Dogecoin network.

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How to mine crypto on a laptop for free

As you can see, even when mining on an old PC or laptop, it's still not free because of the electricity costs, not to mention the fact that it shortens the life of your laptop. However, you can try an alternative by starting free cloud mining on the StormGain platform.

StormGain Bitcoin mining benefits

If you want to try crypto mining, you will surely like the benefits that StormGain offers:

• It's free.
• It doesn't require the purchase of mining equipment; you can even do it on a mobile device.
• It will not wear out your devices.
• You mine Bitcoin, the most liquid cryptocurrency.

How to start Bitcoin mining with StormGain

Getting started mining Bitcoin on the StormGain platform is simple:

1. Register on the platform.
2. Go to the miner page and click 'Activate'. You can do it every 4 hours.
3. You can increase your mining speed by trading or exchanging cryptocurrency on the platform.

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