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What To Do With Old Laptops?

An anonymous reader writes "I've recently acquired a few old P2/P3 laptops. Most either work properly but are slow, or have various problems with power supplies and/or batteries. Attempting to sell them would probably earn less than the cost of shipping, so that's out of the question. I was hoping the Slashdot crowd could give me some ideas on what to do with these old computers. As somebody who already has ~10 computers lying around the house there is certainly no need for an additional computer to 'experiment' with, so I was hoping for some more creative suggestions."

6 of 620 comments (clear)

  1. DONATE then by Artie_Effim · · Score: 5, Informative
  2. Install Linux and give away on freecycle.org by dajozz · · Score: 5, Informative

    There are many folks that would really benefit from a computer with an productivity suite and Internet capabilities. Install linux and open office then give away on freecycle.org. Caveat that there is no support available.

  3. Re:Check your facts by CastrTroy · · Score: 5, Informative

    I find that used laptops sell for extremely high prices, and that anybody who buys one is an idiot. You can go to walmart and get the $500 weekly special, and it will blow most used laptops out of the water, and will usually cost less. And the battery will be new. Most used laptops have a battery that's halfway to death. People assume that it must be cheaper, because it's used, but if you compare prices, you can get a pretty good laptop for really cheap. I bought an Acer 3680 for $500. Installed Mandriva. And it works great.

    --

    Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
  4. Re:Bonfire by Hojima · · Score: 5, Informative

    I know you were trying to be funny, but it's quite sad that these things are taken for granted and put to waste. Please visit the following link for what I think to be the best use of your laptops: http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/index.php

  5. Re:Picture Frame by cob666 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Generally, in the US you cannot claim time as a charitable contribution.

    http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf

    --
    Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law - Aleister Crowley
  6. Re:Bonfire by Hojima · · Score: 5, Informative

    My bad. I googled it and clicked the wrong link. I can't find the exact site, but techsoup has a list of people to donate it to: http://www.techsoup.org/resources/index.cfm?action=resource.view_summary&resourcelist_id=144&style=recycle&set=products