Selling Computers To Pawn Shops: Learn Which Computers Pawn Shops Buy

Computers are common and used by many people on a daily basis. Many pawn shops buy and sell used computers, keyboards, monitors, hard drives, speakers, memory, and GPUs. Pawn shops generally pay 20% to 60% of a resale value, which means that computers can be worth $25 to several hundred dollars.

We recommend using Pawn Shop Map’s map tool to find electronics pawn shops near you. You should contact local pawn shops ahead of time to verify that they buy computers and computer accessories. Also, you can ask about your specific item to see if the pawnbroker has an interest in making an offer. Pawnbrokers are typically not interested in old and broken computers.

Pawn shops are generally interested in buying computers and computer equipment with a resale value of above $80. We recommend reading our post on figuring out your item’s value.

We recommend that you back up your data and erase sensitive data before selling your computer. Later in this post, we discuss how you can safely back up and erase data from your computer. Also, we recommend cleaning your computer to get a better offer from the pawn shop. Cleaning your computer is an easy way to increase its value.

You can also sell various computer components to pawn shops such as computer monitors, speakers, RAM, and video cards. Keyboards and mice tend to have a low resale value, so many pawn shops do not pay much for keyboards and mice.

Selling Your Computer To A Pawn Shop

The average lifespan of a computer is around three to five years, depending on usage and maintenance. However, with proper care and maintenance, a computer can last much longer. Pawn shops pay more for newer, more modern computers.

Pawn shops will inspect your computer and make an offer. Your computer’s value will vary based on many factors listed below.

• Age and condition of the computer: The age and condition of the computer will have a major impact on the value of selling a used computer. Older computers will generally have a lower value than newer computers, and computers that are in poor condition will have a lower value than those in good condition. Computers less than two years old are generally worth much more than computers five years or older. In some cases, pawn shops buy vintage computer electronics that are collectible such as early iMac versions.
• Brand and model: The brand and model of the computer will also affect the value of selling a used computer. Generally, higher-end brands and models will have a higher value than lower-end brands and models. Common computer brands that pawn shops buy include:
  • Dell
  • HP
  • Apple (iMac)
  • Lenovo
  • Asus
  • Acer
  • Microsoft
  • MSI
  • Chromebook
• Specifications: The specifications of the computer, such as the processor, RAM, and storage capacity, will also affect the value of selling a used computer. Higher-end specifications will generally have a higher value than lower-end specifications. Be sure to tell the pawnbroker if you upgraded any of the computer components such as the hard disk and RAM.
• Components: Pawn shops pay more for complete computer sets that include a monitor, keyboard, speakers, and other components listed below. You can tell the pawnbroker if you replaced an original item with an aftermarket or replacement piece.
  • Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  • Motherboard
  • Random Access Memory (RAM)
  • Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
  • Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
  • Power Supply Unit (PSU)
  • Monitor
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Speakers
  • Network Interface Card (NIC)
  • Optical Drive (Optional, CD/DVD/Blu-ray)

Computer Monitors

Pawn shops often will make offers to buy computer monitors without the computer. Computer monitors can sell for $25 to several hundred dollars at pawn shops. Pawn shops are most interested in large flat-screen computer monitors above 17". The factors below affect a computer monitor’s resale value:

• Brand: The brand of a computer monitor affects its value. Monitors from well-known brands are usually more expensive than those from lesser-known brands.
• Size: The size of a computer monitor affects its value. Larger monitors tend to be more expensive than smaller ones.
• Resolution: The resolution of a computer monitor affects its value. Monitors with higher resolutions are usually more expensive than those with lower resolutions.
• Display Type: Computer monitor display types vary. Pawn shops are interested in flat-screen monitors (LCD, LED, and OLED). Some pawn shops still buy CRT monitors, but most do not because they are bulky and low value.
  • LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): LCD monitors are the most common type of monitor used today. They use a liquid crystal display to produce an image on the screen. LCD monitors are generally thin and lightweight, making them ideal for portable devices. They also consume less power than other types of monitors.
  • LED (Light Emitting Diode): LED monitors are similar to LCD monitors, but they use LED backlighting instead of a liquid crystal display. This makes them more energy efficient and allows for a brighter display. LED monitors are also thinner and lighter than LCD monitors.
  • OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode): OLED monitors are the newest type of monitor on the market. They use organic materials to produce light, making them more energy efficient than LCD and LED monitors. OLED monitors also offer better picture quality and a wider color range.
  • CRT (Cathode Ray Tube): CRT monitors are the oldest type of monitor still in use today. They use a cathode ray tube to produce an image on the screen. CRT monitors are bulky and heavy, but they offer the best picture quality and color accuracy.
• Refresh Rate: The refresh rate of a computer monitor affects its value. Monitors with higher refresh rates are usually more expensive than those with lower refresh rates.
• Connectivity: The connectivity options of a computer monitor affect its value. Monitors with more connectivity options are usually more expensive than those with fewer options.

Cleaning Your Computer

Spending half an hour cleaning your computer and computer accessories can increase your pawn shop offer. Pawnbrokers pay more for items that they do not have to invest time and money into. Follow the steps below to safely clean your computer:

1. Unplug the computer: Before you start cleaning your computer, it is important to unplug it from the wall outlet and any other devices it is connected to. This will help protect your computer from any electrical shocks or damage.
2. Dust the exterior: Use a soft cloth or a can of compressed air to dust the exterior of the computer. Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies, and pay special attention to the vents and fans.
3. Clean the keyboard and mouse: Use a damp cloth to wipe down the keyboard and mouse. If the keyboard is particularly dirty, you can use mild detergent to clean it.
4. Clean the monitor: Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the monitor. If the monitor is particularly dirty, you can use mild detergent and water to clean it.
5. Clean the interior: Use a can of compressed air to blow out any dust and debris from the interior of the computer. Be sure to pay special attention to the fans and vents.
6. Clean the hard drive: Use a damp cloth to wipe down the hard drive. If the hard drive is particularly dirty, you can use mild detergent and water to clean it.
7. Plug the computer back in: Once you have finished cleaning your computer, plug it back in and turn it on. Make sure all the components are working properly before you start using them again.

Computers Vs Laptops

Pawn shops buy both computers and laptops. Generally, laptops tend to be worth slightly more than desktop computers at pawn shops. You can read more about selling laptops to pawn shops.

A computer is better than a laptop in many ways. First, a computer is typically more powerful than a laptop. This is because a computer has more space for components, allowing it to be outfitted with more powerful processors, graphics cards, and other hardware. This makes it better suited for tasks such as gaming, video editing, and other intensive tasks.

Second, a computer is typically more upgradeable than a laptop. While laptops are becoming more and more modular, they still don't offer the same level of upgradeability as a computer. With a computer, you can easily upgrade the processor, graphics card, RAM, and other components, allowing you to keep up with the latest technology. This makes it a better choice for those who want to keep their system up to date.

Backing Up Your Computer & Erasing Sensitive Data



You should back up all personal files to a USB drive or cloud storage before you sell your computer to a pawn shop. Also, you should erase sensitive data from the computer to prevent someone from stealing your information. Data thieves often try to buy used computers to steal user information and logins (see related article here). Follow the steps below to back up and erase your sensitive data from your computer.

1. Back up all important data on a USB stick.
2. Uninstall all programs that are not part of the operating system.
3. Restore the computer to its factory settings.
4. Update the operating system and any drivers.
5. Run a virus scan to make sure the computer is free of malware.
6. Delete all personal data from the computer.
7. Optional (advanced): Wipe the hard drive clean. This can be done using a program such as DBAN or BleachBit.
8. Test the computer to make sure it is functioning properly.
9. Clean the computer inside and out.
10. Package the computer for resale.