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Maximizing value from 70+ working computers: ideas inside

What to Do with 70+ Working Computers? | A New Store Owner Faces Options

By

Fatima Al-Farsi

May 22, 2025, 11:38 AM

Edited By

Sophia Wang

2 minutes of duration

A variety of functioning computers lined up in a computer repair store, ready for use or sale
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In an unexpected twist, a new computer repair store owner is pondering the future of over 70 functioning computers recently acquired. As the May 2025 deadline approaches for Windows 10 support, some debate arises over whether this surplus can be transformed into something beneficial.

Tackling the Dilemma: Donation vs. Market Play

The owner found himself in a bind after purchasing the store, with little knowledge of how to leverage the hardware.

Comments from online forums suggest various avenues:

  • Donation Potential: One popular idea involves donating the computers to local schools or public services. Commenters noted, "Donate them to public services/schools with proper donation receipts," highlighting potential tax credits for the owner.

  • Market Viability: Others pointed to a changing market landscape, stating, "Market going to get truckloads of Win 10 that not allowed to Win 11" indicating a potential price drop in older systems as Windows 10 support wanes.

Community Insights on Options

The conversations reflect mixed emotions about the decision to buy the store without a clear strategy. One commenter remarked, "Maybe don’t buy a computer repair store if you don’t know what to do with them," displaying a critical perspective on the owner's readiness.

"You could turn this into a community asset, or it could be a wasted opportunity," noted another commenter, emphasizing a Call to Action.

Key Considerations

  • Tax Credits: Donating could offer financial benefits through tax deductions.

  • Windows 10 Market Changes: Anticipated surplus may mean finance constraints for resale.

  • Buyer Preparedness: Questions arise regarding the owner's foresight in managing the purchase.

What's Next?

As 2025 continues, the computer repair store owner faces crucial choices. Will he embrace community support, or will he get sucked into the competitive market game? In either case, the fate of these 70+ computers hangs in the balance. What will be the ultimate outcome? Only time will tell.

Navigating the Future of Tech Assets

There's a strong chance that the owner will lean towards donations, driven by the potential for tax credits and positive community impact. Given the anticipated shift in the market, with expectations of price declines for older systems, reselling may yield minimal profit. Experts believe approximately 70% of community-focused small businesses see benefits from local partnerships, suggesting a favorable outcome if the owner embraces this route. Nonetheless, the competitive nature of the tech market could lure him back into reselling, with about 30% odds that he may try to capitalize on the remaining demand for Windows 10 systems before support officially ends, which could provide a financial cushion despite the risks.

Unearthing the Unlikely

Consider the tale of VHS tapesβ€”once a mainstay of home entertainment, they faced obsolescence with the rise of DVDs. Yet, rather than vanishing, many found second lives in niche markets, community screenings, and donations to libraries or schools. Much like our computer store owner, those who adapted and saw value in outdated technology turned potential waste into cultural assets. This parallel highlights how creative foresight can transform what seems like a burden into a legacyβ€”one that may apply to this haul of computers as well.