Seller’s Guide: Servers, Plotters, and More

                It’s an unfortunate fact that, sooner or later, even our most prized piece of technology will suffer a critical error or will age to the point of being rendered obsolete. While this is an inevitable and regrettable fact, this doesn’t mean that the whole occasion doesn’t have a silver lining. If you find yourself in possession of obsolete or broken computer hardware, you can still recoup some of your overhead cost by selling the system as a whole or by its components. Selling your used computer hardware is a good way to recoup what might otherwise be a loss, padding your budget a little for future expenditures. The refurbished market is the largest buyer of such equipment, and provides a demand for a wide variety of components. Here is a guide by major computer hardware categories for the interested seller.

Selling a Used Server

Used servers are among the largest “hot commodity” with regards for computer hardware. If you find yourself needing to upgrade to another server, or if the cost of repair doesn’t warrant pursuit, then selling your server provides a nice out. Of course, you will want to make certain that all of your drives have been purged of their data, as oftentimes valuable business data is stored. The most valuable components out of your server will be the processor, system board, and memory. Components like the hard drives and power supply depreciate in value over time, as the mechanisms of their operation are more prone to malfunctions with time. You ought to be able to see a return off of the previously mentioned components, while cables/cases etc. will often require recycling.

Selling a PC/Laptop

PCs and Laptops are much the same story as servers, their primary value components being the processor, system board, and memory. However, PCs and Laptops are much more valuable the more recently they were released. Units which are ideal for business use retain value much longer than casual use computer hardware, as refurbished options are a first choice for businesses on a budget. Laptops and desktop computers will, most likely, be purchased as a whole system. While you stand to sell components individually, whole systems provide potential refurbished buyers to part down and sort machine components.

Selling Printers and Plotters

Unfortunately, selling a used printer poses several problems. While a printer may still function well enough, factors like the cost of ink and the nature of operation mean that you will see less of a return on older printers. High quality photograph or laser-jet printers are more likely to see a return. Plotters, should you find yourself in possession of a whole system, allow you to sell the machine by parts or as a whole system to a refurbished reseller. For instance, a C7769-60374 service station is a commodity in itself, but when sold with a system increases the value of the bundle as a whole. Depending on the antiquity of the system and the demand for individual parts, you might find it easier to sell main component while recycling the remaining parts. I hope to have provided you with some valuable information regarding the selling of your used computer hardware. Best of luck!