A laptop that has been written off for accounting purposes is rarely worthless in practice. Business equipment is built to last, and there is a large market for good-quality second-hand IT. Yet a lot of depreciated hardware ends up in a storeroom or basement, where its value decreases year on year. How much is your old hardware still worth, and how can you get the most out of it?
What factors determine the residual value?
The value of second-hand IT hardware depends on a handful of factors:
- Device type. Business laptops and servers generally fetch the highest prices. Monitors, telephones and network equipment have a lower, but often still reasonable, residual value.
- Age. The newer the appliance, the higher its value. Appliances that are three to five years old are the most sought-after.
- Specifications. The processor, memory and storage determine whether a device is still suitable for a second life.
- State. Scratches, a worn-out battery or a missing charger reduce the value, but do not render a device worthless.
- Volume. It is more efficient to process a batch of the same models than individual items.
Even faulty equipment has value
A laptop with a broken screen or a server that no longer boots up can still be of some use. Components such as memory, SSDs, displays and power supplies are tested individually and reused where possible. Anything that is truly beyond repair is sent to specialist recyclers who recover raw materials such as metals, plastics and glass.
Waiting costs money
IT hardware loses value every year. A laptop that is still easy to sell today may, in two years’ time, only be of value for its parts. Depreciated equipment that lies in a storeroom for months or years therefore not only takes up space, but also costs money. Furthermore, such equipment often still contains company data, which poses a risk as long as the data has not been destroyed.
Offset the residual value against the costs
Disposing of IT hardware involves costs: transport, registration and, above all, certified data destruction. At hardware buyout Reuzado offsets the proceeds from your equipment against those costs. As a result, disposing of old hardware is often cost-neutral or even profitable in practice.
This is how you get a reliable valuation
The more complete your information, the more accurate the estimate. Please send a summary including:
- the types of equipment and the quantities;
- make and model, and preferably the specifications;
- the condition (working, damaged, faulty);
- the location where the equipment is situated.
Based on this, you will receive a no-obligation estimate of the proceeds and the costs. Once you have given your approval, our own drivers will collect the equipment. In our secure warehouse, everything is recorded, weighed and assigned a unique tracking number, so that you can monitor the processing via the Circu-IT customer portal.
By device type
Would you like to know exactly what happens to your equipment? Read more about buy laptops, buying up servers or buy computers. In the blog Old IT is worth money Find out why reusing also pays off when it comes to your sustainability goals.
Wondering how much your old hardware is still worth? Send us your list and receive a no-obligation valuation via hardware buyout.
Frequently asked questions
Do faulty laptops and servers still have any value?
That’s often the case. Components such as memory, SSDs, displays and power supplies are tested individually and reused wherever possible. Anything that is no longer usable is recycled.
Which equipment offers the best return?
Business laptops and servers that are between three and five years old generally fetch the highest prices. Monitors, telephones and network equipment have a lower, but often still reasonable, residual value.
What do I need for a valuation?
A summary listing the type of appliances, quantities, make and model, condition and location. Based on this, you will receive a no-obligation estimate of the proceeds and costs.