There are many factors that affect a pawned laptop’s price, but most shops will typically offer anywhere between $100 and $500 for a well-kept computer.
I’m a long-time technology user who’s had years of experience buying and selling used laptops. Backing that knowledge with additional research on pawn shop policies is what allowed me to pen this guide.
The following sections analyze what you can get for a pawned laptop by looking at the average trade-in price, what factors affect that price, and the steps you should take before selling your device.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Pawn shop bids vary from store to store, but most laptops will fetch a few hundred dollars when traded in.
- Manufacturer, model, available space, accessories, and specs all impact how much a pawn shop will pay for a laptop.
- When trading in your computer to a pawn shop be sure to wipe the hard drive, clean the shell, and fully charge the device.
The Value of a Pawned Laptop
Pawn shops are not always the simplest way to get rid of or move on from an electronic device, but they are one of the most convenient. You bring in an item of value, the clerk or owner makes a bid by telling you what they will pay for it, and you either accept or decline.
It’s a loose system that allows for a lot of wiggle room. You can get cash right away, but you may not always receive the amount that you want. You have to be willing to haggle a bit and should only look for shops that are known for their solid rates and fair policies.
Even with that, the amount you’ll get for your laptop varies greatly from store to store. It greatly depends on the situation and what you’re willing to accept. The type of laptop matters too.
There are many models on the market, and they all come with their own price tag. You can always use a pawn shop value estimator, but they aren’t going to give you an exact figure. Calling ahead and asking for an estimate can work as well.
Either way, the more expensive a laptop, the more you’ll get for it. Macbooks and Asus models typically command the highest price, which sits in the $500 to $600 range. On the other hand, you’ll only get a few hundred for Dell and HP models.
Factors That Affect Pawned Laptop Price
Model is the leading factor in how much a pawn shop will pay you for a laptop, but it’s far from the only one. There are many aspects owners look at when making an offer.
One of the most apparent is the condition. The better or well-maintained your laptop is, the easier it will be to sell. Pawn shops are always willing to pay more for models that don’t have a ton of wear or that haven’t been used for that long.
They also look at the model and production date. Newer models with better accessories are always going to be worth more than older or outdated ones. Know when your computer was made, and use that knowledge to your advantage when figuring out the final price.
Your processor and RAM are also both important. High-quality processors and large amounts of memory can both greatly increase a computer’s value. If you have any accessories with the laptop, they also raise the price.
Pay attention to storage space as well. As with RAM or the processor, if you have a larger hard drive or SSD, your model is worth more money than a regular model.
What to Do Before Selling
Once you know how much to expect for your laptop and that you’re willing to part with it, there are a few steps you need to take before selling. It’s important to protect your data and make sure there’s nothing you would want falling into a stranger’s hands.
Remove all passwords, photos, and videos from your computer so that everything is reset to the original factory settings. Wipe the hard drive, delete all files off it, and clear everything in your browser (including history and any autofill settings.)
Clean the outside of your laptop too. You want your computer to look as clean as possible when trying to sell it. Wiping it down with a damp cloth and buffing out any marks will give it a much more valuable appearance.
It’s also a good idea to charge your computer. If the battery is dead you may not be able to fully show its accessories or features, which could then end up costing you money.
FAQs
Here, I look at and answer some of the most common pawn shop related questions.
Can I Pawn My Laptop Online?
Though in-person stores are much better for those who want to work with a live person, there are quite a few online pawn shops for those who want to sell their laptop online. Just do extra research and find a reputable one.
Do I Need to Wipe a Laptop Before Pawning It?
Yes. Anytime you sell or move a laptop it’s critical to make sure it’s completely wiped of any data. You don’t want your information falling into the wrong hands, especially because it’s so easy to forget a program or password that may be stored on your device.
Will a Pawn Shop Take a Cracked Laptop?
Though some pawn shops have no issue taking damaged electronics, they will do it at a reduced price point. You may get something for them, but don’t expect to receive anywhere near what you’d get for an intact model.
Final Words
Pawn shops are not the most effective way to sell a laptop, but they are the quickest. If you need money right away, just follow the above advice and you’ll be able to get a fair deal for your laptop without having to jump through too many hoops.
Have you ever traded in a laptop? How much did you get for it? Let us know in the comments below!
