Amazing things to do with your Broken Pc/laptop

Even if you can't sell the laptop as is, there are still things you can do other to either breathe new life into the laptop or salvage as much as you can. Here are a few ideas for making the most of that broken computer

Most of these suggestions require a little DIY spirit and elbow grease, but they're better than tossing the laptop in the trash. You'll save money, too, by repurposing a laptop or its parts, making your investment go farther.

Turn It into a PC-In-A-Keyboard

If the main computer parts (processor, hard drive, etc.) are fine but just the LCD, hinge, keyboard, or other external parts are broken, you can take the guts out of the laptop, put it into a standard desktop keyboard, and hook that keyboard to a monitor. The MacBook Air Project shows how you can do this with a MacBook Air, but the concept is the same for any laptop: In the end, your laptop becomes a desktop PC, except its case, isn't a tower or a cube but your keyboard.

Turn the Display into a Standalone Monitor

Additional monitors can boost your productivity, so if your laptop screen still works but the rest of the laptop doesn't (or you have an old laptop with a perfectly good screen), use it as another monitor for your other computer. Instructables user augustoerico provides step-by-step directions for using the LCD as a second monitor. It involves detaching the LCD panel and attaching it to a controller board, which you can buy or build yourself if you're handy.

Salvage the Hard Drive as an External Hard Drive

If the hard drive still works but the laptop is otherwise unusable, take the drive out of the laptop and use it as an external hard drive. It's a good thing to try even if you're not sure if the laptop drive still functions. There are lots of external hard drive enclosures that fit the typical 2.5" laptop drive; the Vantec NexStar hard drive enclosures are likable because they're sturdy, well designed, and affordable. Just make sure you know what kind of connection (SATA, IDE, etc.) your laptop drive needs and find the case that matches.

Sell the Other Parts

If worse comes to worst. you can always just sell the parts of your laptop (the memory, screen, power adapter, and even the motherboard) or the laptop itself with a note that it's broken and for parts only. You might be surprised at how many people need and buy old computer parts. Just remember to wipe the hard drive if you can or remove the hard drive and destroy it.

If worse comes to worst, you should be able to donate or recycle the old laptop (and other electronics) and get rid of it with a clear conscience.

10 Places To Sell Or Trade Your Unused (Or Broken) Electronics

If you’re looking to sell or trade your old electronics, there are plenty of places that you can do that and make some extra cash or get free gift cards in return.

Here are the top 10 (or more) places that I found where you can sell your old, unused or broken devices.

Decluttr: Decluttr is a fast, easy and free way to sell and buy cell phones and other gadgets. Fast next day payments for your Apple and Android phones, game consoles and other technology items. You can even sell your old Legos! Read a full Decluttr review here. UPDATE: Get an extra 10% on electronics traded in using code: ELECTRONICS10

SellCell.com: SellCell.com is the US’s largest price comparison site for selling old mobile phones and tablets – they compare all of the key BuyBack companies in the market, saving the user the time of visiting lots of other websites to get the best deal for an old device. They guarantee that the user will always get the maximum cash when selling an old device on SellCell.com and offer users a Best Price Guarantee – if they spot a higher price on another site, they will refund the customer double the difference. They also show each BuyBack company’s user ratings from sites likes ReSeller Ratings, Trustpilot & BBB for peace of mind.

Gazelle: Gazelle.com is one of the leading e-commerce companies that buys and sells pre-owned consumer electronics. They will take used smartphones, tablets, laptops, and select desktops. Gazelle will pay by check, Amazon.com Gift Cards or PayPal.

Whistle: Instantly sell your iPhone, tablet, MacBook, or other used electronics on Whistle. Get paid via PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Gift Card. Payment sent within 24 hours of receiving device. BONUS: Users clicking through our link will receive an extra 10% of their device value. For example, if you sell a device for $100, you will earn $110 because you clicked our link.

ItsWorthMore: Sell your iPhone, Macbook or Android device with a well rated buyer. A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and payments within 2 days.

BuyRUs: They buy used phones, tablets, laptops, consoles and more. Just get a quote, ship off your item (with free shipping) and then get paid within 24 hours of them receiving your device. Buy through our link and use our invite code: V0T6J4 to get extra back!

BuyBack World: They’ll buy iPhones, iPads, media players and a host of other electronics. They even buy unwanted gift cards.

BuyBackBoss.com: With an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and a 9.6/10 rating on Trust Pilot, they are well respected. They issue payments quickly, within 2 days via PayPal or Check.

SellYourBadApples.com: This is a new buyback website that specializes in buying cracked, broken or financed iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and Apple Watches. Get a quote, ship with a free label, get paid via Venmo, PayPal, Check, or Zelle. Use promo code: “moneymatters” to get a $10 bonus!

GadgetPickup.com: BuyBack company where you can sell a huge variety of Phones, Macbooks, iPads, iPods, Game Consoles, GoPros and other electronics. Simple and easy to use platform. Just get an instant quote, ship your item for free and then get paid within 48 hours of them receiving your device.

QuickSell: QuickSell is an online trade-in website that offers competitive prices for used, cracked, and broken iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. They offer multiple payment options, quick payouts, and free shipping on all orders. Use promo code “MONEYMATTERS” at checkout to receive an additional $5 on your order!

OCBuyBack: Sell your used or broken iPhones, iPads, iPods, Samsung Phones even MacBooks. From the OCBuyBack team: “Help us keep e-waste out of landfills. We keep a low overhead to give you a bigger payout.” Get free shipping and fast payment via check or paypal. Use our exclusive promo code MONEY5 to get $5 added to your trade-in!

Buy Back Pros: Find your device on their site, get an instant price quote and accept their offer. Print out your shipping label from the site and get paid within 2 days of device inspection.

GreenBuyback: GreenBuyback pays cash for your cell phones and a wide variety of other electronics. GreenBuyback makes the process quick and simple with free shipping and speedy payment. Want extra cash? Use promo code: moneymatters when checking out at GreenBuyback to get an extra $5 for your order.

Glyde: Sell your games, iPads, iPhones, Samsung phones, tablets and more. Just search for your item on their site, list it, and then ship your item when it sells using the pre-paid label Glyde provides. Get paid 3 days after delivery to the buyer.

Swappa: A great place to sell your late model phones, tablets, wearables, and some computers. Buy from other phone owners!

ecoATM: ecoATM has ATM like machines in high traffic locations that will buy your phone or tablet. Use our ecoatm promo code: peter at the ecoATM kiosk checkout to get an extra $5 on your order! Find a location near you here: ecoATM locations.

SellShark.com: Sell your Apple products, everything from Apple TV and Apple Watch devices to broken iPods.

Amazon Trade-In program: Ship your old items, not only electronics, to Amazon and receive Amazon gift cards in return. Not typically the biggest return on your money.

Craigslist: Sell locally to people on craigslist who want to see the device in person before buying. In some cases that can mean a higher price, although more hassle.

Ebay: Sell your item at auction and pay listing and final value fees. I’ve done pretty well selling things through eBay, even things that are broken. Some items like TVs can be sold for parts, remotes, etc as well. Just be careful of scammers.

UpTrade: UpTrade is a great choice if you want to keep the process of buying or selling a used phone simple.

Sell On Amazon :Just search for your item on Amazon, then look for the button that says “Sell on Amazon”. You can then create a listing to sell your used item via Amazon. You’ll just pay a small listing fee and a pay a percentage when it sells.

Walmart: Walmart has a trade-in program, but they are partnered with Gazelle, so it will be a similar offer to what you see at their website.

Target Stores: You can trade in items at Target, although it’s “powered by NextWorth”, so you’ll likely get a similar bid for your item.

Best Buy Trade-In: Trade in your electronics and get credit in Best Buy gift cards.

Gamestop Trade In: Get a quote on your device online, and then get paid after it has been sent in and processed.

Facebook “For Sale” Groups: A relatively new phenomenon is the Facebook yard sale group. Most local areas that are big enough will have at least one or two local yard sale groups where you can connect with others and either buy or sell your item to other Facebook users. We haven’t used this to sell electronics, but have sold other items this way.

Sell Broke: Get an instant quote to sell laptops, phones, tablets, or other electronic devices – even if they’re broken.

Gadget Salvation: This website will take most electronic devices, even those that are broken. Get a quote through their website.

MaxBack: This site pays cash for cell phones, tablets, and other devices!

GizMogul: Sell anything from old iPhones and smartphones to tablets, watches, Macbooks and more.

YouRenew: Sell your old phones, tablets and other devices.

uSell: Working or damaged, sell your used phone in seconds

iPhone Antidote: Mainly buying Apple products.

ItemCycle.com: They buy your used iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and other Apple devices.

SellMyCellPhones: They claim to offer the “best price when you sell your old cell phone, iPhone, iPad or tablet”.

Gadget Traders: Sell iPhone, Macbooks, Android devices, tablets, iPod and more. Recycle your devices and get paid.

Gadget Gone: Sell your iPhone and get the most cash, fast.