How much do pawn shops pay for laptops (2023)? | Helpful Guide

By: Pick Laptop

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

How much do pawn shops pay for laptops? It is the first question that bothers us whenever we think about pawning or selling our laptops. There is no single answer to this question; you know it’s obvious. Your laptop price for pawning or selling depends on several factors, for example, physical condition, hardware configuration, etc. In this article, we will try to answer your every question regarding pawning or selling a laptop.

If you want to sell your goods online, it will take forever. Going to a pawn shop is more viable because you can get instant money to fulfill your urgent needs.

Pawning or selling jewelry such as a diamond ring, antique items, or clothing is a simple process. But, if we talk about electronic items such as laptops, tablets, or computers which has personal data require some extra precautions. So, in this article, you will know how much your laptop is worth at a pawn shop and what you should keep in mind before this process to get maximum value and peace of mind.

Should you pawn or sell your laptop? What is the difference?

You might already know the difference between pawing and selling, but let me remind you. If you pawn a laptop or your other belonging to a shop, the pawnbroker gives you a loan against that thing. You can get your stuff back whenever you have sufficient money by repaying the loan amount. If you cannot pay the loan amount within time, you may extend the loan period by paying some extra fees. If you can’t pay the loan, the pawnbroker may sell your good to someone.

On the other hand, selling is straightforward; you give the thing to a pawn shop and get the money – no strings attached!

It is important to discuss if you want to know “how much my laptop is worth at a pawn shop” because you’ll get different amounts if you pawn or sell your laptop.

Selling is better than pawning to get the most out of your laptop unless you aren’t very attached to your device.

How much do pawn shops pay for laptops?

The amount you’ll get offered for your laptop depends on several factors, including brand, model, processor, storage, battery life, and much more. That’s why you’ll notice the vast difference when pawning or selling different brands of laptops. Here are some of the pawn values according to the laptop brands. These are general prices, varying according to the laptop model and configuration.

HP – $5 – $500
Dell – $1 – 600
Alienware – $20- $700
• Toshiba – $1 – $300
Samsung – $10 – 400
• MacBook – $10 – $1200
• Acer – $5 – 400
• Compaq – $1 – $75
• Asus – $5 – $650
• MSI – $5 – $600

You can get a more precise value for your laptop from the below tools.

Pawn Loan Estimator – This pawn site will allow you to check your computer/ laptop value.

Step 1: Select your computer or laptop type, such as Windows, Apple, or Chromebook. Now select your operating system version and click on ‘NEXT STEP.’

Step 2: Now, type your laptop brand name and model number. You can find it on your laptop system information – click on the Start button > type ‘system’ in the search field > select ‘system information.

Here you can find your system’s complete information. Now type it into the website field and click on ‘NEXT STEP.’

 

Step 3: Select your device condition, whether it’s “like new” or in “acceptable” condition, and click on ‘NEXT STE..’

Step 4: In this step, you must declare if your laptop has missing accessories; click on ‘NEXT STEP.’

Finally, you can see your laptop’s estimated Pawn value according to your input.

You can also visit the PawnAmerica website; they also offer an online quote to pawn your belongings. You must create an account on their website and fill out the form to get a quote.

The right way to pawn or sell a laptop

You should consider some crucial points to make the most out of a laptop while selling or pawning. Let’s divide this section into two parts for better understanding.
1. Things that you should take care of before heading to a pawn shop.

A – Decide whether you want to sell or pawn your laptop

Selling provides good value for your computer than pawning; however, it’s totally up to you. In case of pawning, if you’re unable to pay the loan amount within the allowed time, your laptop might be gone anyway. Also, pawning won’t give you much money if your requirements are higher now.

B – Research your laptop configuration and current market price

This step will help you understand your laptop’s actual value to negotiate when selling it. Here are some factors that a pawnbroker looks into when evaluating a computer.

  • Physical condition – scratch, defect, or any damage signs
  • Basic functionality – such as sound, mic, touchpad, and keyboard
  • Model and release date
  • Processor – processor model and generation
  • Memory – RAM capacity and its type
  • Storage – whether the drive is SSD or HDD
  • Document – a warranty card or invoice to find the authenticity of your laptop

C – Collect all the laptop documents and accessories

The more accessories you have, the more valuable your laptop will be. Accessories may include a bag, mouse, keyboard, or headphones with your computer. Also, ensure your laptop is clean; it makes a great impression to get a higher value.

D – Back up your data and perform a hard reset

You must back up your entire system to an external hard drive or cloud. Now perform a hard reset to your system, which will delete all your data. This step is crucial before you don’t want to expose your personal information, such as photos, videos, credit card details, and passwords.

This guide can help you to back up and erase all the data on your laptop. However, the procedure differs according to the operating system.

If you’re planning to sell your laptop, independently taking your crucial data, such as documents, photos, and videos, would be more beneficial than taking the whole OS backup.

E: Ensure the pawn shop accepts electronic items

Yes, some pawn shops don’t buy electronic items; it might be due to their local demand. Ultimately, they have to sell those stuff to make a profit. So, before heading to a shop to confirm they can buy your laptop, you can read it on their website if available.

2. Essential factors to consider when you’re into a pawn shop selling your laptop.

A – Don’t disclose why you need money

It may sound weird, but it’s true. People take advantage of someone’s compulsion. If your requirements are urgent, they might see a strong selling desire and give you an offer accordingly. So, don’t explain why you’re selling or pawning your laptop.

B – Negotiate

It’s an art and can give you a higher value for your laptop. You have to show that you want to sell your computer, but if it’s not sold won’t be a great deal. You have to research your laptop model to understand its actual value thoroughly. You can try out different pawn shops, if any, nearby, which will also give your more pricing idea.

Remember, no pawn shop will offer you an actual price of your laptop, so negotiating it is crucial.

(FAQs) How much do pawn shops pay for laptops?

What will pawn shops pay the most for?

Jewelry, firearms, musical instruments, watches, and electronics are some items that a pawn shop pays the most for.

Do you have to clear a laptop before pawning?

It’s a safe practice to clean your laptop before pawning; otherwise, your data may be at risk.

How much would a pawn shop give you for a laptop?

We have already answered it; it depends on a laptop can be ranged from 1$ to 1200$.

Can you pawn a laptop that doesn’t work?

Pawnbrokers always seek profit in the product they pawn or buy; a broken or dead laptop isn’t valuable. That’s why it’s hard to pawn a malfunctioning or broken laptop.

Do pawn shops reset computers?

Most pawn shops don’t wipe or reset the laptop before selling it to another person, which becomes hazardous. That’s why we advise you to take a complete backup of your computer and perform a reset before pawning or selling a laptop.

How do pawn shops determine a laptop’s value?

There are several factors considered before determine a pawnbroker determines a laptop’s value, and we have already discussed those points above.

Conclusion – How much do pawn shops pay for laptops?

The answer you already know, there is no specific price for a laptop model. A pawn shop may give you from $1 to $1200 for your laptop, according to its condition. Two identical laptops won’t get the same pawning value if one is in new condition and is heavily used.

To get the higher value of your laptop, make it thoroughly clean, grab all the available accessories, and charge it before heading to a pawn shop.

I hope this post has answered your question regarding pawing or selling a laptop at a pawn shop. If you still have questions or suggestions, please comment below.