What to do With Your Old Computer — The Family Handyman

Selling your used electronics saves the environment because you are recycling the electronics that you don’t use anymore. And believe it or not, there’s a solid market for old tech. Between eBay and Craigslist, you should have no trouble finding someone to take an unwanted computer off your hands.

If you have a broken or even a fully functional old laptop, there are many companies online who are willing to buy your old device from you. These companies include HP, Best Buy, Target, eBay and Gazelle. There are plenty more companies who offer these services, so do a little research to see which is best for you.

Additionally, before you sell a digital device to someone you don’t know take a few precautions to protect your privacy. You don’t want bank account info, personal images or your browsing history lingering on your old computer.

When reselling an old computer or laptop, you’re best off removing the hard drive. (Just be sure to note that it’s gone when you place the item for sale.) The website ifixit.com offers tear-down tutorials to walk you through the process, and the only tool you’ll need to do this is a screwdriver. There are also free downloadable softwares that will overwrite your data.