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Old laptop - what should I do with it?

Q

quiescentTrance

Member
I have a pretty old laptop, Alienware 51-M I got in 2002. Not using it anymore, I'm guessing it's not worth much, can you get a tax credit for donating it, is there somewhere to scrap it, do people buy these things for parts? The only useful part is probably the 1600x1200 screen, but who knows..

What do I do with this thing?
 
Personally I would just keep it around for an internet PC. But you can of course sell it for a small amount, donate it or recycle it at Best Buy 😉
 
i think the tax deduction is based on depreciation though. for example you wont get the full price you paid for it back in 2002. i'm not exactly sure how it works though
another option is you could use it as a MAME machine.
 
A tax deduction would be almost inconsequential at this point.

However, it is always nice to just give it to someone less fortunate than you.

And, you can always sell the parts, which may be worth more than the whole.

I have a 4 year old laptop that I no longer use. I keep it on hand and reserve it fot my grandkids to use when they visit.
 
Originally posted by: corkyg
A tax deduction would be almost inconsequential at this point.

However, it is always nice to just give it to someone less fortunate than you.

And, you can always sell the parts, which may be worth more than the whole.

I have a 4 year old laptop that I no longer use. I keep it on hand and reserve it fot my grandkids to use when they visit.
Click to expand...

I am in a very similar situation, gave an ibook to my sister, when that died, gave her a powerbook, and then once i replace my macbook she will get that too. I have no real honest to god use for mulitple laptops, and although i could get a fair amount of money for each one (used 12" powerbooks sell for soooo much more than they should on ebay) she can't afford to get a laptop on her own, so might as well share the good fortune.
 
Right Here

I'm making one at the moment using an old eMachines, only instead of a picture frame it will be a sleek looking wall-mounted computer for my son (4). It will ONLY have Qimo Linux with some very simple interfaces and educational games.

Oh, and you don't really have to go touchscreen either - just a waste really. If you don't have kids I'm sure you could sell it or give to a family member for a gift or something. That screen on yours would be really sweet!
 
Actually, doesnt the 51-M come with a Radeon 9700 mobile card in it? If so there may be some interest in it. Even though it is old it would make a decent rig for older games like CSS and BF2.

You could probably get $100-225 for it depending where you sell it.
 
Pull the Hd, boot a linux live distro. Use it for email and the tubes when traveling. No virus/spyware possible.
 
Another vote for craigslist.

sold an old ultraportable Toshiba (I think 5+ years) for $300 maybe 1 year ago and got another $30 for a 6+ year old laptop with a broken LCD.
 
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