What To Do With Old Laptop? 5 Clever And Effective Solutions

Technology is advancing rapidly, and modern electric devices can become old-fashioned in only a few years. Your laptop is not an exception. 

For hardcore users, the computer’s components and firmware will wear down and give significantly weaker performance after many years of usage. 

The device can no longer cope with running the newest software and handling heavy gaming or video rendering tasks. In this case, you may want to replace a new model to work and entertain more efficiently. 

However, many people don’t know what to do with old laptops. They just leave their devices rusty in some corner of the house. 

If you are one of the above, this post is a perfect match for your needs. We will give you some simple and effective solutions to deal with your outdated model.

What To Do With Old Laptop?

Don’t waste your old devices by leaving them unused. Here are some simple options to utilize your old computer models.

Sell It To Stores

Outdated devices that still function well and are applicable for basic tasks like working or entertaining can be sold at fair prices. The fastest way is to bring your model to nearby laptop stores which rebuy used laptops. 

The store will examine your laptop status and functions carefully and its design and usage period to offer a final price. If your model is damaged or has multiple scratches, the store will lower its price significantly. 

However, low-tech users should be careful as many stores try to offer unfair prices to gain more profit. You should consult the computer specialists or multiple stores before to check if the prices are reasonable. 

Sell It Online 

Another option is to sell your outdated device online. 

Multiple online marketplaces, such as eBay, LetGo, and Swappa, allow users to advertise and sell their products. 

You have to give an adequate selling price to attract the buyers but don’t lower the cost too much. Check your device’s physical conditions and performance before determining the most suitable price. 

This option generally takes more time to sell because you have to wait for a potential buyer interested in your product. 

• After selling, you also need to deliver them to the distant address of the buyer.
• Online marketplaces are full of scammers and people with bad intentions. 
• You should look for credible buyers with proven transaction history to avoid getting scammed.  

Refurbish It

The main components that decide the performance of a laptop are the CPU and GPU. These two components have worn out in old devices and become too old-fashioned to operate. 

If the case of your device is still nice, try to replace a new GPU or CPU. Replacing parts of an outdated laptop is not easy, and you should hire a professional to do the job. 

The cost of the new firmware is much smaller than buying a brand new laptop. 

In this way, you can save a lot of money while keeping the device that has followed you for many years. 

Recycle It

Recycling is the last option to consider if your device has been broken or unable to operate. Laptop components are made of toxic materials that release harmful chemicals into the environment, especially its battery. 

Instead of throwing your device into the nearby garbage bin, look for special facilities that handle electric device disposals. 

Donate it to a school or library

If your old laptop is still in good working condition, you can donate it to a school or library. Many schools and libraries are always in need of computers for their students and patrons to use. Just be sure to wipe the hard drive of all your personal data before you donate it.

Use it as a media server

If you have an old laptop that you no longer use, you can turn it into a media server. You can use it to stream music and movies to your other devices or use it as a central storage location for all your digital files.

Turn it into a Chromebook

One option for what to do with an old laptop is to turn it into a Chromebook. Chromebooks are laptops that run Google’s Chrome OS and are designed to be used primarily while connected to the internet. If you’re not using your old laptop anymore, you can repurpose it as a Chromebook.

Use it as a backup computer

Another option for what to do with an old laptop is to use it as a backup computer. If you have a new laptop, you can use your old laptop as a backup in case something happens to your new one. You can also use it to store files that you don’t want to keep on your primary computer.

Give it away to a family member or friend

If you have an old laptop that you no longer need, you can give it away to a family member or friend. This is a great option if the person you give it to can use it and you don’t want to go through the hassle of selling it.

Use it as a dedicated home security camera monitor

If you have an old laptop that you’re not using, you can repurpose it as a dedicated home security camera monitor. This is a great way to keep an eye on your home while you’re away and it can also be used as a baby monitor.

If you want more detailed instructions, consider watching the video below. 

Final Thoughts

No device can remain new and beautiful forever, and the day will come when you have to say goodbye to your old laptop.

We hope that the information provided in this post can help you take advantage of your old laptop. Thank you for reading!