Are you thinking of upgrading a venerable ThinkPad T20, T30 or in fact any older ThinkPad T Series to a brand new ThinkPad T61?
Want to swap in your older ThinkPad X Series for a shiny new X61 or even a ThinkPad X300? Well, however much you get for your much loved ‘pre-owed' ThinkPad, every little helps as they say! Here are our top tips to ensure that you get top dollar when you sell your old Laptop.
1) Make sure that it is immaculately clean. Switch your laptop off, unplug the power and then take the time to go over your laptop with a soft cloth, removing all the obvious dust. Use cotton buds to clean all those nooks and crannies around the keyboard and under the screen. Turn the machine around and clean behind the hinges.
2) Use a couple of lens wipes to clean the screen and make sure its sparkling. Wal mart sell a box of Zeiss lens wipes for $2.99 that do a great job. Take care when cleaning the screen not to put too much pressure on the LCD.
3) Remove the red TrackPoint by pulling it off gently and soaking it for a while a cup of warm soapy water, then give it a gentle scrub with a nail brush. It will look as good as new!
4) If any of the palm rest stickers, like the XP, Centrino or Graphics logos are curled and messy then remove them and remove any sticky residue.
5) Make sure that that outside of the case is clean. We have used a variety of soft wipes for this job over the years, and there are some great auto ‘dashboard' wipes in the auto section of your local Wal mart or you friendly auto parts store. You will give your ThinkPad a nice fresh sheen that looks great to a buyer. ALWAYS, always try something new on the laptop underside first!
6) Do a complete Windows reinstall using the recovery disks or recovery partition. That protects your data and gives your buyer an ‘as left factory' installation.
7) Download and install all the service packs and updates.
9) Download and install the free Microsoft Office compatible OpenOffice Suit from http://www.openoffice.org/ It's great to be able to advertise ‘Office Software' included! It really does make a difference.
10) Take 4 or 5 really good photos, write up a great description, ‘As new, factory fresh, great condition, much loved etc etc.' Make sure you list the spec, all the software, emphasis the brand new install, and get it on eBay, Craigslist or in your local newspaper.
We have most success on eBay. The real key to success on eBay is good pictures, a genuine description, and if you're not usually a technology seller, really do emphasis that this is your own much love personal machine and you are selling reluctantly to part finance your new purchase. Sell with no reserve, a good description and a reasonable shipping fee and you'll always beat the other guy who doesn't take the same care with his listing.
If you only get $2/300 it finances an Ultrabay for your ThinkPad X61 or an extra battery for your new ThinkPad T61! Good Luck, and let us know how you go!
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
