Costs · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
What is old business IT worth? Resale values by age and type
Why value varies so much
Used IT is a commodity with prices that move with supply, demand and new product cycles. A laptop that might sell well one year can fall sharply when a new operating system leaves it behind, as happened with many PCs that cannot run Windows 11. Values are also set by refurbishers, who need to cover testing, erasure, repairs, cleaning and their own margin before they make a profit.
Quantity matters too. Refurbishers prefer large batches of the same model because they can test, grade and sell them efficiently. Fifty identical laptops are usually worth more per unit than fifty assorted machines of different ages and brands. Timing also helps: selling devices while they are still within or near their original warranty period generally produces better prices than waiting until they are obviously old.
What typically holds value
| Equipment | Age with useful value | Typical value picture |
|---|---|---|
| Business laptops | Up to about 4 to 5 years | Often worth something, more for newer high-spec models |
| Desktops | Up to about 3 to 5 years | Usually lower than laptops |
| Smartphones | Up to about 3 to 4 years | Can be strong if unlocked and undamaged |
| Tablets | Up to about 3 to 4 years | Moderate, depends on brand and storage |
| Servers and storage | Varies widely | Components such as memory and processors may hold value |
| Monitors | Mostly low | Often recycled rather than resold |
| Network switches | Varies by brand and model | Some enterprise models resell well |
These are broad patterns, not prices. Any provider should give a written valuation based on your actual asset list.
What lowers value
- Devices still locked to Apple Business Manager, Autopilot, MDM or activation lock
- Missing chargers, broken screens, damaged keyboards or swollen batteries
- Shredded drives, which mean the buyer must fit new storage
- Low specification, such as small memory or old processors
- Mixed small quantities of many different models
- Dirty or labelled devices with asset tags glued on
Unlocking devices is the single biggest fix. A locked laptop or iPhone is often worth little more than parts.
How remarketing deals usually work
| Model | How it works | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed buy price | Provider pays an agreed price per device | Predictable budgets |
| Revenue share | You receive an agreed share of the actual sale price | Larger batches with good value |
| Offset against costs | Value is deducted from collection and erasure charges | Small or mixed batches |
Ask for the valuation, the method of payment and the timescale in writing, and check what happens if a device turns out to be faulty or locked.
Ways to recover more
- Refresh on a cycle so devices are retired while they still have value
- Keep boxes, chargers and docks with each device
- Choose verified software erasure instead of shredding for devices with resale value
- Release every device from management and activation lock before collection
- Batch equipment so you offer larger quantities of the same model
- Ask for an itemised report showing what each device sold for or was valued at
Preparing an asset list for a valuation
A provider can only give a meaningful valuation if it knows what you have. The more detail in your list, the more accurate and reliable the figure.
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Make and model | Sets the starting price |
| Processor, memory and storage | Higher specifications are worth more |
| Year of purchase | Shows likely age and warranty status |
| Condition grade | Cosmetic and functional faults reduce value |
| Quantity of each model | Larger matching batches are easier to sell |
| Lock status | Locked devices are worth far less |
| Chargers and accessories | Missing chargers reduce value |
Most organisations can export much of this from their device management or asset system. A short note on general condition, plus photos of a few typical devices, is usually enough to get a sensible estimate before collection.
Data comes before value
Resale is only worthwhile if data is handled properly. Every device sold on must be erased with verified software, with a certificate per serial number, before it goes to a new owner. If a drive fails erasure, it should be shredded and the device sold without storage. No sale price is worth a data breach.
Ask the provider to show how erasure and resale are linked in its reporting, so that every device sold has a matching erasure certificate. That single report answers both the finance question of what was recovered and the data protection question of how each device was cleaned.
Frequently asked questions
Will we get paid for our old IT?
If you have reasonably recent, working, business-grade equipment in decent quantities, there is a good chance its value will cover collection and erasure, and sometimes produce a payment. Older or mixed batches often have some value that reduces the bill rather than producing income. A valuation based on your asset list is the only way to know.
Is it better to sell old laptops to staff?
Selling to staff can work for small numbers, but you still need a verified erasure, removal from management tools, and a record of the sale. It can also create expectations about warranty and support, and questions about fair pricing. For larger quantities, remarketing through a specialist is usually simpler and gives a clean audit trail for every device.
Does shredding the hard drive kill resale value?
It reduces it, because the buyer has to fit and pay for new storage, but many devices can still be sold without drives. For devices with good value, verified software erasure keeps the original storage and normally gives a better return. Shredding is the right choice when erasure fails, the drive is faulty, or the data is highly sensitive.
IT resale remarketing asset recovery cost saving
