In this world of ever-changing technology, we can often find ourselves with old electrical devices and no idea what to do with them. This can be particularly true when it comes to laptops, which often end up sitting on shelves or in drawers once we decide to upgrade. However, there are actually a number of things you can do with an old laptop, even if you feel it’s old and useless to you. Regardless of whether your old laptop is broken or just outdated, there are always ways of putting it to good use. Here are some ideas of what to do with it:
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Recycle Your Old Laptop
We are now attempting to recycle more than ever before, but some people are unaware that electrical devices can be recycled, too. Even larger appliances like dishwashers and freezers can be recycled – as Groupon report, Currys collect 65,000 tonnes of these appliances each year (and that’s just one company)!
Recycling your old personal computer is a very simple process and doing so is a good environmental decision. Many electrical devices now end up in landfill, so recycling your device will mean that experts can use components to create new electrical products.
Repair and Reuse!
If your old machine is broken, consider repairing it and reusing it for a different purpose. You could pass it on to a family member that doesn’t have one or keep it as a spare. If you have children, giving them your old computer can be a good idea. They are great learning tools for children, and many schools now have online learning resources that children can access from the comfort of their homes, so giving them a laptop can help them get ahead in their education. If you do decide to do this, just ensure that you install parental controls.
Sell Your Laptop Online
There are a number of ways you can sell your computer online. Online auction sites or selling sites can be a good place to start. Be aware that your laptop should be in full working order to ensure the best chance of selling on sites like this. However, there are also ways of selling a broken computer. Some people like to buy broken laptops to fix and sell on, others can use them for creative purposes. If you want to make a quick sale, consider selling it to a company that specialises in buying broken electronics.
Use It For Other Computing Needs
An old laptop can be a useful tool when it comes to creating items that can be used with your new laptop. For example, some people choose to use their old laptop as a WiFi hotspot. Others like to use old devices as servers, particularly if they like to share files online or require a fair amount of computing power.
Alternatively, if your laptop is in good working order, you can use it as a storage solution. Using the device as an external hard drive can allow you to have additional storage while also creating the option of using the laptop for other purposes. You could even use your old laptop as a second monitor, which can be very useful if you use it for work purposes or playing games online. There are also many other ways to use your old laptop for future computing needs.
Use It As A Tool To Start A New Career
An old laptop can be a great learning tool if you fancy a career change. If you are not too worried about your old laptop, then you can use it as a test laptop for PC building or laptop repair. Some people like to learn how to repair laptops, or to build them from scratch. An old laptop will allow you to practise these skills, and there are loads of tutorial videos online that can help get you started in the world of laptop repair or PC building.
Just Don’t Let Your Old Laptop Sit There!
Whatever you choose to do with your old laptop, don’t just let it sit on a shelf or in a drawer forever. We live in a very wasteful society, so it’s always good to try not to contribute to this problem.
