: Many towns have dedicated e-waste drops. While policies vary, some centers may allow you to purchase or take items before they are processed.
These platforms are the most reliable for finding specific models or high-end "for parts" units.
: Small PC repair shops often have a "boneyard" of machines that customers never picked up or were too expensive to fix. They may sell these to you for a small fee just to clear space. Quick Tips for Buyers where to buy broken computers
Finding broken computers is a great way to source cheap parts, practice microsoldering, or "Frankenstein" a functional machine together. Depending on whether you want to bid on bulk lots or find a single project, here are the best places to look:
: A community-driven marketplace where you can often find people willing to sell broken hardware for just the cost of shipping. Local & Community Sourcing : Many towns have dedicated e-waste drops
: A massive marketplace for bulk lots of broken or returned electronics. This is ideal if you are looking to buy by the pallet rather than the unit.
: Search for "broken laptop" or "parts PC." You can also post your own ad offering to haul away old electronics for free. : Small PC repair shops often have a
: Some locations have dedicated electronics sections (like Goodwill's "The Grid") that sell untested or older hardware for very low prices.