Selling unwanted or out of date PCs and laptops to staff received an overwhelming thumbs down from members taking part in a recent online debate.Having trialled such schemes, users report that selling old kit can place a major burden on already busy IT departments.

Selling means that IT staff have to spend time thoroughly cleaning data and software from machines before sale. It also runs the risk of ‘customers’ clogging up helpdesks with support calls after a sale - even if they’re told that support isn’t part of the deal. Legal worries also exist around an employer’s liability should a future owner harm themselves in any way through using the aging kit.

If you have to sell, users say that potential buyers must be made to ‘pick their own’ rather than call on IT staff to “find them a good PC” (more time wasted).

Far better, according to this group, is to donate old IT to a responsible non profit organisation.

Members can read the full debate here.