Recently, I decided it was time for me to get a new computer. My iMac was going on six years old, and while it still surfed the web and typed up documents fine, it was more than a little slow when it came to photo or video editing, which are some of my hobbies. I saved up the money and will soon be the owner of a new MacBook Pro with Retina display. The question I had to ask myself, and that I've been asked by others many times before is what to do with the old computer?
There are definitely options. First, think of anyone you might know who could use it. Anyone who doesn't have a computer at home who might like one? What about local non-profits? Is it still usable and would it be the kind of donation they'd accept? Churches, clubs, etc. can sometimes (but not always) accept donations of old electronics. If you do give your computer away, make sure it's wiped clean of your information first. There are many ways to do this depending on the kind of computer you have, but if you're not familiar with the process, take it to your local computer repair facility. Better safe than sorry with your personal information.
If you can't think of anyone who'd want it, you can try selling it. While most computers devalue quickly enough that you won't be able to get much for them, there are people who will buy old and even broken computers to use for parts. Mind you, you won't usually get much for it, but a little bit of extra cash never hurts. Again, be careful to wipe your computer of your old data, but it's not uncommon to see people selling their computers at garage sales, eBay or even Craigslist.
If niether of those options appeal to you, you can always recycle it. Please, no NOT just throw it in the trash! Many (if not all) of the parts of computers do not biodegrade, and they also contain some things that can be bad for the environment if they break or leak. Call your local computer repair shop and/or recycling facility to see if they accept old computers for recycling. Sometimes there are fees involved, but making sure your compuer stays out of the dump is worth it.
Practical Tip of the Day:
No matter which way you choose to dispose of your old computer, make sure you have a backup of your information before you wipe it off your old computer. This will ensure that even though you have a new machine, you don't have to start over with all your files as well.
If you’re opting to recycle your computer, you can actually repurpose it as a file/media server. All you need is a network router (with Ethernet cables), a keyboard and a monitor (for installing software), and an operating system (e.g. Debian or Linux). Just make sure that your computer doesn’t have major performance problems, so it won’t be a headache for you.
ReplyDeleteLance Vartanian
Good point, Lance! I actually have a Mac Mini that's almost eight years old now that I used to use for that before I got my Apple TV. Now, instead of storing everything on the Mini that's plugged into my TV, I can stream it right from my computer or the Apple TV itself. Granted, the Apple TV doesn't store the information, so an older computer as a server is still best for people with slow networks where streaming would take too long, but depending on your needs (the Mini was for iTunes streaming and Netflix) there are lots of options out there.
DeleteFor those of you that saw the word "server" and instantly glazed over, a server is just the technical word for a computer that has a single purpose. For example, a mail server is a computer whose only job is to send and receive emails for a selection of people. In this case, a file server is a computer that stores files (like videos, photos, or music in this case) and then makes them accessible to other devices like a TV or other computers.