Get savvy with your old tech gadgets

Let’s face it. Technology moves fast. No sooner have you got your head around your latest iPhone and another faster model is released and you have to have it, don’t you? On the flipside, when technology doesn’t move fast, it probably breaks, leaving you with an unwanted and broken gadget. So, what do you do with your old technology? Simply throwing it out would not only be an economical waste but also ethically irresponsible. Who wants another computer in the landfill? No, you’re more savvy than that. Whether you sell/ reuse or donate, here are some ways in which to make your old technology work for you or someone else.

1. Sell
There’s a market for pretty much anything in today’s world. What is not always clear, however, is how much your old piece of kit is worth. Computers, for example, do not tend to hold their value well. Old game consoles, however, may help you add a few pounds to your savings. Maybe A few hundred if you’re lucky. A good place to start is eBay. This global market place will enable you to compare your phone/ computer/ gadget with hundreds of others. The good news is that people really do buy anything and you are more than likely to offload your gear. The bad news is that you may not get a good price for it. If the market generally suggests your computer is not worth much then it probably isn’t and no-one will pay out at an unrealistic reserve price.

Whereas eBay is generic and sells all, it may be worth looking also at more specific websites. For example, if you want to sell your old iPhone 6 16gb then a site such as sellmymobile.com may generate more income for you. This site and others similar will compare the prices offered for your mobile or tablet from a variety of different websites, allowing you to choose your best offer. You then post the item to them and receive the money straight to your PayPal or bank account. Simple.

2. Donate your goods
Okay, so you’ve discovered that your beloved computer that saw you through university is, to all intents and purposes, worthless. However, this does not mean that it is not of use to somebody. Ask around your friends and family as someone may be looking for a cheap PC. If not, consider donating the items to a charity. There are many youth groups or elderly community groups that are shouting out for old computers, tablets and mobiles. Help someone out and feel slightly superior for a few days.
As a cautionary note, before you go giving away your life, make sure that you don’t do exactly that. Delete all personal information, photos and apps from your device. Ideally, reformat the hardrive on your pc and reinstall any programs from scratch. It’s a slight faff but totally necessary if you don’t want your details being shared around the world.

READ  4 Reasons Why Wearables Are Here to Stay

3. Use for spare parts
Before you do get rid of your gear; stop and think about whether any of its constituent parts could be of use to you. How many times have you needed a spare charger for your mobile phone? Or required a new keyboard for your pc after spilling coffee on your old one? It worth saving bits and pieces like these in a separate area in case they are needed in the future. A quick internet search will help you determine which parts of your computer/ gadget can be salvaged for reuse.

4. Unleash your inner geek
Here’s your opportunity to play scientist/ engineer/ computer geek. Ever wanted to build a computer from scratch? Well, take your old one apart first and go from there. There’s a plethora of information and online videos out there to keep you entertained (and mildly frustrated) for hours. Even better, give it to the kids as a project. That’s one way of keeping them quiet.

5. Get inventive!
Go wild and use your imagination for the better. There’s so much you can do with your old gadgets. Computer tower desk tidy anyone? No? Well how about you hollow out your old mouse and store pins in there? Genius!

Tags from the story

Leave a Reply