What should I do with old laptops?
What should I do with old laptops?
I own three laptops from different years—2009, 2012, and 2015. They haven’t been used since 2012, 2015, and 2021. After that, I switched to a newer model from 2022 along with several tablets. The older ones still worked well when I placed them on a shelf. I’m planning to look through them for old files and freeware. I’m worried about whether turning them on might be risky because of a failing battery. Should I bring them to a trustworthy local repair shop instead?
When considering the 2009 and 2012 models as Toshibas, refer to the following link:
I wouldn't worry too much about the battery unless you notice swelling signs. If they're still working, they could be given to people who need a PC for basic access. I often remove old hardware from storage—I have a lot of outdated gear here for my wife to use and dispose of properly.
My initial laptop from 2009 was a Toshiba. It was my top choice and never caused any issues. After that, I sold three of them just to get rid of them—they were always causing problems with various malfunctions, especially with HP models. Then my Acer became the center of attention because it seemed to be haunted, and everyone believed it was acting strangely. Recently, I've been testing Microsoft Co Pilot, which has also started behaving oddly. It worked well for a few weeks, but now it’s not reliable. It began speaking in Chinese, repeatedly denying its actions, and eventually producing random gibberish, numbers, symbols, and even poetry quotes. At this point, I’m considering giving up on both my computers and the software.
The storage issue isn't about the physical damage, but whether the laptops are still functional. I was hoping to recover some data before discarding them, especially since their batteries might be deteriorating. I thought someone with expertise could help me salvage important files. There are indeed remnants on those old devices that I hadn’t noticed before. My previous real estate agent had a significant impact on my possessions—there’s a long story about lost items. It would be simpler to keep them than to attempt a complete rewrite now. I’m exhausted and can’t muster the patience I once did.
I am simply stating my approach. Make sure your personal information is securely erased from the storage, then dispose of it properly. If you need the data removed, delete the drives and transfer the files using a USB adapter to your current system. FINALLY, destroy the devices.