When it’s time to upgrade to a new laptop, it’s easy to be uncertain about what to do with your old laptop. After all, you know that you shouldn’t throw your laptop away, as that is harmful to the environment. Beyond that, however, it can be difficult to know what to do. To help give your old laptop a new life, here are four ways to make good use of your old laptop.
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Donate It:
If your laptop no longer meets your needs, but it still has some life left in it, one option for making good use of your laptop is to donate it to an organization in need. Many non-profit organizations use old laptops to teach basic computer skills to people in need.
This, in turn, gives them the skills they need to land a new job that they wouldn’t have been eligible for otherwise. Before you donate your laptop, though, be sure to erase your hard drive so your personal information isn’t compromised.
Recycle It:
If your laptop is completely fried, then the best option is to recycle it. The key is to find an electronics recycling company that responsibly disposes of the electronics you get rid of.
This ensures that your old electronics don’t end up in a landfill in a country overseas, which is a common fate for devices recycled by dishonest recyclers. Plus, most responsible recyclers are locally owned businesses, meaning you get a chance to help the local economy.
Re-Purpose It:
Depending on the specs of your old laptop, you may be able to re-purpose it for some other use around your home. For example, if your laptop’s hard drive is large enough, you can try to convert your laptop into a basic media server. Other purposes, such as using your laptop to add processing power to online-based crowdsourcing projects are also worth looking into.
Make It Into Art
If you’re feeling especially creative, you can try to turn your old laptop into a work of art. By carefully removing some of the internal components, you’ll be left with an empty shell that can be used in a variety of ways. If you enjoy the modern and quirky decor, a re-purposed laptop can easily become something that is totally one-of-a-kind.
Depending on the problems you’re having with your current laptop, you may be able to fix it instead of replacing it. Sometimes all it takes to bring new life to an old laptop is a new hard drive or a fresh installation of the operating system. If you have the technical know-how, you may be able to save yourself some cash and make the greenest choice of all by reducing the number of products you consume.
About the Author:Anica Oaks is a freelance writer who hails from San Francisco. When she’s not writing, she’s enjoying her time outside with her dogs. Anica recommends electronics recycling for your older appliances.
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