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How to Trade in Your Laptop for Your Small Business
Daniel Horowitz
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July 30, 2018
With technology rapidly changing the way we conduct business, you could be left behind if you don’t have the right laptop or computer software for your industry.
Whether you’re running a tech-savvy company or not, you will at some point need to upgrade your computer systems. And in doing so, you may look to trade in your old devices for something new.
If you’re using a laptop for business purposes, then it can be imperative that you upgrade on a semi-regular basis. Not only does storage tend to be an issue when you potentially have thousands of receipts and documents, but your system can get bogged down over time and cause issues for you when you are trying to do business.
Here’s how you can trade in your laptop and successfully upgrade your technology for your small business.
Think ahead
Before you begin the process of buying a computer for your business, you’ll want to look into what options the company has for you to trade in. You may be able to get a deal from the very beginning. At HP®, we offer incentives for small business owners and general consumers to trade in their old devices.
Of course, this is helpful information to know before you purchase a laptop so you can capitalize on this deal. While it may be difficult to plan trading in laptops when you are not sure about what your business will need in the future, it’s still something to consider since any business should upgrade systems on a regular basis.
You will want to take some time and consider which promotions would work for you, which kind of laptops or computer systems will need to be upgraded in the future, and how you see your business growing in the long run.
Various companies have a variety of deals available for small businesses, so it’s often worth doing some research in order to know which PC brand would work best for you.
Consider trade-in sites
There are a number of third-party websites you can look into when trying to sell your older hardware.
While this can be a great option if you purchased laptops that don’t have upgrade deals with a particular company, you may find yourself losing money over the long run. However, it can be better than simply discarding your old equipment, and the funds you gain from trading in a laptop can be used toward new hardware and tech for your company.
You can also get a general idea of how much your hardware is worth by searching for sales listings on auction sites, which could even help you find the right buyer for your old equipment.
There are plenty of small business owners like you who may be looking for functional PCs that are a few years old, so even if the company that manufactured your PC doesn’t offer trade-ins, you can still find a way to unload your hardware.
The first step that you will need to take toward trading in your laptop is knowing its make, model, and when it was built. When you’re working with a corporation to trade in your laptop, they’ll probably have this information on file.
If you’re selling your laptop through another method, then you’ll need to supply this information on your own. Most of the sites that you can sell your old laptop on will include a shipping label, the information of the buyer, and support for you as a seller once a deal is made.
It’s worth noting that while you may not get the amount of laptop upgrades you’re hoping for, it’s better than simply discarding your old hardware and starting from scratch.
Consider your options
When you’re trading in your laptop, it’s important to think about what you’ll need in the future and the deals that you can find.
Some laptops are better than others for small businesses, and depending on your industry, you may need specific software or computing power. You should think about what your last laptop lacked and which software or components you should add to have better performance.
Unfortunately, not all of us are up-to-date on the newest features, so chatting with a computer expert can help you to make the decisions you need for your upgrade.
Again, looking into the trade-in options provided by your laptop’s manufacturer can give you an idea of what other small businesses are using and the type of computer you’ll need. Some trade-in options will cost more than others, so of course you’ll want to keep your company’s budget in mind.
With HP®'s laptop trade-in, you have several choices available that allow you to find the right upgrade for how much you are willing to spend and what you need in order to help your small business grow.
Upgrade often
One mistake many businesses make is not upgrading often enough.
The truth is that it can often cost less to keep your laptop current rather than waiting for issues to occur and then having to replace expensive equipment. It doesn’t hurt to upgrade your computer fairly often in order to receive the benefits that a trade-in can have.
When in doubt, contact the company you purchased your laptop from and see whether or not they have a comprehensive trade-in program for small businesses.
Trading laptops doesn’t have to be difficult, and there are plenty of options for business owners when they want to upgrade, often at a price that can work for a number of budgets. With a new computer in your hands, you can get back to providing your clients the quality care and help that they need.
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About the Author: Daniel Horowitz is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Daniel is a New York-based author and has written for publications such as USA Today, Digital Trends, Unwinnable Magazine, and many other media outlets.
