What to do with an old laptop

So, you have an old laptop and you're wondering, "What do I do with it?"

E-waste is a concern and priority for manufacturers and consumers alike. There are now many measures in place to help prevent a device like a laptop from ending up in a landfill. As you may be looking to get rid of an older laptop, consider recycling, donating or repurposing the device.

If you’re aiming to recycle or donate your old laptop, it’s essential that you factory reset your device ahead of time. To maintain privacy and security, wipe the device of all personal information.

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Recycle your old laptop

Ensuring old pieces of tech are properly recycled and reused, users can find free services within their community. This includes services like Earth911.

To find the most convenient location, be sure to check out Google for the closest drop-off as well as the hours of operation.

Donate your old laptop

Depending on the state of your old laptop, donating it may be a great option. You may have a family member or friend who needs a laptop. There may also be local organizations that are willing to accept a donation. In many cases, donated devices are then given to students or families in need.

The great thing about these non-profit services is that they’ll usually repair and restore older laptops, so rest assured they’ll do their best to have them in working order.

Repurpose your old laptop

In the event you want to hang onto an old laptop, you can always repurpose it.

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Depending on its age and performance, an older laptop can be used as a streaming device. Netflix, Disney+, etc. don’t require much in terms of hardware, making an older laptop a fantastic device for streaming at a cottage.

You can also look at upgrading the device’s RAM and other components. Because it's an older device, this a good way to familiarize yourself with upgrading internals if you’re not already well-versed.

Don't forget to reset

If you’re aiming to recycle or donate your old laptop, it’s essential that you factory reset your device ahead of time. To maintain privacy and security, wipe the device of all personal information.

How to reset on Windows

Step 1: Type ‘reset’ into the Taskbar.

Step 2: Click ‘Reset this PC’ and ‘Get Started.'

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Step 3: Select ‘Remove everything’ and then hit ‘Local Reinstall’ to initiate the factory reset.

How to reset on macOS

Step 1: Navigate to the Apple icon in the top left-hand corner.

Step 2: Select ‘System Preferences.’

Step 3: Verify everything is backed up using the Time Machine.

Step 4: Hit ‘Continue’ and ‘Erase All Content and Settings.'

There you have it; three fantastic options on what to do with an old laptop. Just because a laptop isn’t the fastest or flashiest anymore, doesn’t mean it isn’t useful. Plus, each option above helps to contribute to cutting down on e-waste.