Let’s say that you’ve had your laptop, desktop computer, or tablet for a while. You feel like now might be the time to sell it off and get a new one. You are at a loss as to how you might do it, though. Who should you sell it to, and how much are you likely to get for it? In this article, we’ll talk about some outlets and entities that buy computers, as well as how much you can expect to get for yours.
Why Would You Want to Sell Your Computer?
Computers have come to dominate our world. Over the past sixty years, they’ve gone from monstrosities that took up the entire floor of a building to sleek, sophisticated machines that are lightweight and portable. You can take your laptop with you on an international flight, or sit in a coffee shop with it and catch up on your correspondence via Wi-Fi.
The thing with computers, though, is that technology moves very quickly. Innovations with computers, regardless of whether you are using a laptop, desktop, or tablet, are more or less constant. Because of this, if you have owned your computer for three years, or four, or five, the chances are high that the latest ones will feature innovations that yours does not.
You can get along with an “older” computer for quite a while, in most cases, provided you have taken good care of it. Realistically, there is nothing to say that you can’t use the same computer for several years. However, people who are actively engaged in the advancement of technology will probably not want to. Even if your computer still works reasonably well, you’ll likely want to sell it off and get a newer one at some point.
Of course, it might also be that your computer has ceased to function as well as it once did. The reasons for that could be many. You might have visited some spammy sites where malware or ransomware was lurking. If you’re not careful, these malicious computer bugs can slow your device’s processes. They can make your expensive piece of equipment useful for nothing other than a paperweight.
Whether you wish to sell your computer because it doesn’t work as well as it once did or it is outdated technology, though, you’re certainly going to want to get the best deal for it.
How Much is Your Computer Worth?
The answer to the question of how much your computer is worth is going to be dependent on all sorts of different factors. The first two will be how old it is and its condition. If you sell a laptop that is in excellent condition, and it is only a year or two old, then you’ll probably get a reasonable price for it. Sixty percent of the purchase price would not be unreasonable to expect. If your device is a decade old, though, or it shows a lot of wear and tear, then you won’t be able to command as good of a return.
Then there is the matter of what brand it is. Just like with cars, sneakers, or any other product that you care to name, there are some that are considered high-end, and ones that sit at the other end of the spectrum. You could hardly expect to get the same price for a used Maserati as you would for a ten-year-old Dodge Neon. With computers, some of the best name-brands are ones like Apple and Dell. An Apple MacBook Pro, for instance, can cost as much as $6,000. A Dell M6400 laptop will set you back $3,000.
On the other hand, brands like Lenovo, Acer, HP, and Asus are there for the budget-minded. They don’t have an excellent reputation like Apple or Dell does, but the price point there can be as cheap as $200 for a laptop.
It stands to reason that a used Asus is not going to bring you back as much as a used top-of-the-line Dell. If you paid less for it, then don’t expect to get back a great return when the time comes to make that inevitable sale.
Finally, you’ll need to consider what kind of device you have. Generally speaking, laptops are more expensive than desktops. That is because most consumers value portability these days for the convenience factor. Thirty years ago, the concept of a computer would have conjured up a mental image of a boxy IBM Compatible, a bulky keyboard, and a hard-disk assembly to accommodate various programs. Now, lightweight, easy-to-transport tablets and laptops are much more common.
Plenty of people do still opt for desktop setups, but if that’s what you have, then you likely won’t get as much for it when it comes to resale value as you would a laptop. The only exception might be if your desktop is an expensive brand, or if a less desirable company made your laptop or tablet.
When is the Optimal Time to Sell Your Computer?
As for when the best time is to sell your computer, the conventional thinking is that there isn’t a particular time of the year when you’ll get more for your laptop, desktop, or tablet. Various entities that buy computers aren’t likely to give you any more for your used one regardless of what season it is.
However, if you’re selling to individuals on places like eBay or Craigslist, then you’ll probably get slightly better prices between late spring and late summer. The difference might not be incredibly dramatic, but you could see a little bit of a better return.
The reason is that late spring to late summer are times when few computer sales are going on. Individuals who might be on the hunt for a gently-used secondhand computer may give you more for it because there aren’t any Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Christmas sales happening.
What to do Before Selling Your Computer
Regardless of what time of the year it is when you decide to sell, there are certain measures that you should take as you prepare to say goodbye to your used computer. The fact is, computers are repositories of personal information, like your photos, files, credit card info, bank logins and passwords, etc. You don’t want the individual or entity to whom you sell to have access to any of that.
First, you’ll need to back up your data. That would include things like pictures, programs, and files. You can use a cloud storage service such as Dropbox. You could also copy and paste whatever files you need into a removable storage device like a flash drive. If you have a more substantial amount of data, then you can set up a program like Windows built-in backup. You can then restore all of your data when you log in with the same account on your new computer.
Next, you should back up the product keys for Windows and software that are installed on your current computer. You can install them on your new laptop, desktop, or tablet once you get it. If you have never done this before, and you can’t find the product keys, there are programs you can download that will help you.
Next, format the hard drive so as to wipe out all your personal data. This will ensure that the person or entity to whom you sell it can never access any of your sensitive information. Whoever buys your computer will now have an immaculate environment with which to work.
There won’t be anything on the device’s hard drive after you reformat it, so you’ll need to reinstall an operating system. You can install something like the latest version of Windows easily enough. If you’re selling to an individual who wants a different operating system, you can install it for them so they can try out the computer and fully assess its functionality.
The last step will be to physically clean the computer. Do so with a soft rag. You can run it over the keyboard, screen, mouse, etc. Make sure all of your passwords and user IDs have been removed as well, so the computer is as close as possible to its original factory condition. Now, all that remains is to figure out who wants to buy your device.
Selling Your Computer on eBay
You can sell your computer through eBay if you are so inclined. eBay is the well-known online auction marketplace where you can buy and sell just about anything.
You will have to set up an account with them if you don’t have one already. Next, you can determine whether you want to advertise the computer for a fixed price or if you wish to do an auction for it. If you opt for an auction, then you should figure out a minimum bid that you would be willing to accept.
Regular eBay sellers will probably find this to be a more viable option. If you’ve never sold on eBay before, you might not want to go this route. You’ll need to figure out how to ship your computer, which can be quite a chore if you have a bulkier desktop instead of a slim, lightweight laptop. You might also have to deal with a dissatisfied customer if the person to whom you sold it feels like it was not in the same condition that you described.
Selling Your Computer on Craigslist
Craigslist is another online marketplace for buying and selling. Instead of shipping your computer to a buyer, as you would with eBay, you’ll be meeting with interested parties in-person to try and unload your tablet, desktop, or laptop.
Some people don’t find this to be the most appealing option, because you have to meet up with someone you don’t know who you met online. You don’t know the first thing about this person, their background, or their temperament. Many meetups through Craigslist go fine, but some don’t turn out so well. If you are trying to sell your laptop or tablet, this seems like a better option. You can set the meeting in a public place, like a community center or a public library. That way, there are sure to be plenty of other people around.
If you set up such a meeting, try to go with a family member or friend, or at least tell someone you trust the location and time the meetup is taking place. If you are trying to sell a desktop, then we wouldn’t recommend going through Craigslist. The reason is that such computers aren’t easy to move, so it’s likely the prospective buyer would have to come to your home to look it over. You always take a risk when inviting a stranger to your home address and letting them come inside. Those who have a desktop computer to sell should probably pursue other options.
You Can Sell Your Computer to a Pawnshop
You can always sell your computer to a pawnshop. There are pawnshops all over, and they’ll happily take a computer that is in good working order.
The only reason this option doesn’t get our vote is that the owner or operator is likely to give you the least possible amount of money for your laptop, desktop, or tablet. Pawnshops try to buy goods as cheaply as possible and make their money off of markups. If you feel comfortable haggling at such an establishment, then you might be able to get a slightly better deal. However, it’s not likely that you’ll be able to get anywhere near what the computer is actually worth.
You Can Also Sell Some Computers to BuyBack Boss
There are also some different online entities that will buy used computers. BuyBack Boss is one of the more prominent options. We won’t buy every computer that’s out there, but we will accept most tablets, such as the full line of iPads.
How much you can get for yours will depend on which generation it is, and its condition. For instance, for a Wi-Fi-only iPad 7 with 128 GB of storage in gently-used condition, you can get $145. Supply the information for your iPad on the site, and you’ll get an instant quote.
The reason that BuyBack Boss is the best way to go when selling your used tablet is that we will beat the advertised buyback price of any of our competitors. Just inform us as to what entity has a better price and how much they are offering, and we will give you more.
You can easily send us the tablet through the mail, and we’ll assess it to make sure that it is in the same condition that you stipulated. Then, we’ll either pay you the agreed-upon sum through PayPal, or else we can cut you a check. You’ll receive it in the mail within a couple of days.
You Can Sell Your Used Computer to a Family Member or Friend
You can also sell your used computer to someone you know, like a friend or family member who wants it. This is likely one of the better ways to go for desktop setups in particular. You don’t have to worry about inviting a stranger into your home to look it over, as would be the case with Craigslist. You also don’t have to box up the whole bulky setup and ship it, as you would with eBay.
The only word of caution with this option is that you should only sell to a friend or family member with whom you are on good terms. If you don’t get along very well with this person, despite you knowing or being related to them, then it can lead to friction. For instance, maybe this individual doesn’t pay you all at once, and then you have to keep badgering them for the money. That’s not going to be much fun for either of you.
As you can see, there are several considerations when you’re selling your computer and multiple entities and outlets that might serve as a buyer. Hopefully, after reading this guide, you will find yourself better prepared for this undertaking, and you’ll find someone to buy your used computer who will pay you what it is worth.
