Business laptops last a few years and are then replaced. In the accounts, their value is shown as zero, but they’re still sitting in the cupboard. What should you do with written-off laptops? In this article, you’ll find a brief explanation of how depreciation works, why a written-off laptop is still worth money, and how to dispose of it safely.
How does the depreciation of laptops work?
A laptop is a business asset. If it costs more than €450 (excluding VAT), you do not record the purchase as an expense in one go, but spread the cost over the years during which you use the laptop. Many organisations apply a useful life of three to five years for laptops. For tax purposes, most business assets are subject to a maximum annual depreciation of 20%. Consult your accountant to determine which period is appropriate for your organisation.
Once a laptop has been fully written off, it no longer has any value in your accounts. If you sell it afterwards, the proceeds will be recognised as a capital gain. This is also something you should discuss with your accountant.
Written off does not mean worthless
The book value says little about the market value. A business laptop that is three or four years old is still perfectly usable for many users. After a professional refurbishment, it is given a new lease of life as a refurbished laptop. As a result, a written-off laptop often still has a significant residual value, particularly when there are large quantities of the same model.
Even laptops without a working battery or charger, or with minor damage, can still be of some value. In such cases, the parts are reused separately.
The biggest risk: data on the hard drive
Decommissioned laptops almost always still contain company data. A factory reset or reinstalling Windows is not enough: data can often still be recovered. You should therefore have the storage media professionally wiped or, if that is not possible, physically destroyed. At Reuzado, you’ll receive a data erasure certificate for each laptop, suitable for audits and GDPR-compliant.
Five options for end-of-life laptops at a glance
- Leave it: It costs money to store data; its value decreases every year and the data remains a risk.
- Distribution to staff: That’s all well and good, but make sure the data has been verifiably deleted first.
- Selling it yourself: It’s a lot of work, and you have to organise the data deletion yourself and be able to provide evidence of it.
- Send for recycling: It’s sensible, but you’ll be missing out on the residual value if the laptop is still in working order.
- Sell: The laptops are collected, wiped in accordance with certification standards and, where possible, reused. The proceeds are offset against the costs.
How the laptop buy-back service works
Please send us a list detailing the make, model, quantity and, ideally, the condition of the laptops. You will receive a no-obligation valuation. Once you have agreed to the offer, our own staff will collect the laptops using secure transport; we can also collect chargers, docks and monitors if required. Each laptop is registered and wiped using Blancco or, if necessary, physically destroyed. You will then receive a report detailing the serial numbers, the method used and the proceeds per laptop.
Find out more about buy laptops, or see what else we accept at hardware buyout. Is this a large-scale replacement programme? Please get in touch, and we’ll arrange the collection together. Would you like to know how much your laptops are worth first? Request a valuation via buy laptops.
Frequently asked questions
After how many years do you write off a laptop?
Many organisations use a depreciation period of three to five years. For tax purposes, most business assets are subject to a maximum annual depreciation of 20%. Discuss with your accountant which period is appropriate for your organisation.
Is a factory reset enough before I sell a laptop?
No. Data can often still be recovered after a reset. Have the storage device professionally wiped so that you have a certificate for each laptop.
Do you bring chargers and docking stations with you as well?
Yes. If you wish, we can collect chargers, docks, monitors and other peripherals when we collect the laptops.