Fact: Laptop parts are worth more than desktop PC parts. This is because nearly all laptop parts with the exception of the hard drive, RAM and optical drive are proprietary to make and model.
If you have a laptop that doesn’t work but has parts that are still good, chances are you’ll be able to sell them easily on eBay.
These are the most desirable laptop parts, starting from least to most:
Keyboard
On many laptops the keyboard will eventually develop a problem. Sometimes it’s from a key popping off, or a key going "jumpy", or a block of keys that fails. Even though the replacement of a keyboard is literally a 5-minute job (15 if you’ve never done it before), the cost of a laptop keyboard is prohibitively expensive – sometimes as much as $100 or more.
If you have a laptop that doesn’t work but the keyboard still does, chances are high somebody will want it. Take the keyboard out and start an eBay bid at $20. You’ll probably be able to sell it for $50. Make sure to include a photo.
Removing the keyboard from a laptop is a relatively painless process. It involves the removal of a few screws from the backplane, and on most models can be taken out without disassembling the chassis. On nearly all models the keyboard is connected via a single ribbon connector.
Palm rest/touchpad
This is the second most desirable part. Touchpads fail routinely because the sensor decides to conk out, resulting in a "crazy" mouse pointer that makes the computer unusable.
Unlike the keyboard, this can be a pain to remove. It involves literally cracking it off in most instances and requires several screws to be removed in order to do it. The hardest part are the sides because of the thin plastic with tabs that can break easily. In addition you might be required to remove the top bezel where the power button is because you may be required to remove screws on both the top and the backplane just to remove it.
Most manufacturers provide instructions on how to do this. If you own a Dell, you’re in luck. Here’s an example from their "edocs" system on how to remove a palm rest for an Inspiron 640M. Almost all other models are listed within that system as well. Follow the instructions carefully.
LCD monitor
This is, always has been and always will be the most expensive part of a laptop. It’s also the most desirable. LCD screens can easily command $200 if in proper working order even if the outer bezel is scuffed or damaged. As long as the screen works, has a strong backlight and no dead pixels, it can be sold and sold easily.
It’s also the biggest pain to remove.
This is a short list of what must be done to remove an LCD screen:
- Crack off the hinge covers.
- Remove the rear bezel (several screws).
- Remove the top bezel (crack off and/or screws).
- Remove keyboard (ribbon connector may be under there, involves more screw removal).
- Remove backplane screws.
- Remove hinge screws.
- Remove LCD bezel screws (hidden under rubber feet on the LCD bezel itself).
In other words, you basically have to take apart almost the entire laptop just to remove the screen. It is a long, frustrating process. However if you’re willing to go thru the process, it can result in a profitable eBay sale.
Here’s another example from the same Inspiron model on what you must do to replace it (or in this case simply remove it).
Remember: It’s a pain, but worth it for the sale later.
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Brian
1265 days ago
For premium content, this is a bit underdone.
Some pictures and diagrams explaining some of the tech jargon would be very useful.
The diagrams in the Dell link are excellent, and their content is free.
We only keep paying money for high quality stuff. All this fetish with how much money you can make on-line is very shortsighted and will ultimately kill the goose that is laying the golden eggs.
Top quality please or next time my credit card stays in my wallet.
Rich Menga
1265 days ago
Pictures do not help at all with an article of this type because all laptops are proprietary to their make and manufacturer. I was a field technician for laptop service and can attest to this first hand. Any image would give the false impression that all laptops are the same in the way they are constructed or deconstructed. That is obviously not the case.
If you are dissatisfied with the content presented here, please feel free to get your content elsewhere. I suggest http://education.oracle.com where you will spend many thousands of dollars for “top quality”, as you put it.
Jim
1265 days ago
As a fairly new person to PCMech but not new to the business I tend to agree with Brian on some points. For “Premium” content you do tend toward the easy and not the difficult. For instance, this article is ok up to a point. Perhaps it would have been better to view the subject from a “Premium” view and include:
1. If the laptop is broke and the user doesn’t want to buy another here are a few web sites to look at for buying parts.
2. If you haven’t repaired a laptop before here are a couple of sites that provide really cool pics and diagrams for disassembly and reassembly.
3. Lastly, if your customer just wants to give it to you for the diagnostic, here are the most desired parts that could be sold on ebay.
I am a field technician for laptops and I would find the above scenario much more useful as a “Premium” subscriber than what you provided. I hate to say it, but the content here seems a lot like “Oh, I have to write something so I’ll throw something together and post it”.
The jury is still out on my “membership”. I think you have great potential for making a difference. But maybe it needs to be tuned a little more toward those of us who get paid to do this stuff so that we can feel like we are really getting our money’s worth.
Rich Menga
1265 days ago
If you’re a field technician, then you obviously would not find this article useful because you have a knowledge of the internal workings of laptops that greatly outmatches what the average user knows about.
Per your points:
1. The article is about selling, not buying.
2. Once again, examples cannot be shown because each laptop is proprietary to its make and model. As a field technician, you should especially know better than to give that kind of advice.
3. I *did* say exactly what the most desired parts are to be sold.
I do not write content for field technicians. If I did, the content would be dry, terse and read like a user manual. Knowing which parts sell the most is the usable information the article presents.
If I explained every single way a laptop is taken apart, even in general terms, the article would be 100 pages long because once again, laptops are proprietary. There is no “do A, B and C” for laptop disassembly and repair. You as a field tech are very well aware of this.
Brian
1264 days ago
Don’t worry about it, Rich.
As your arrogant attitude conveys very clearly, I am only a paying customer and what the hell would I know about it, anyway?
Well, soon I will be an ex-customer and then I won’t bother you any more. That is a promise.