I currently have three laptops, but I only really need two and could use the money from selling one of them. My main machine is a Dell Latitude 5130 with an Intel i5, 32GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD running Debian. It contains all my files and is heavily customized with my preferred desktop environment and software, so moving everything would take a lot of time. I also have a 2017 15-inch MacBook Pro with an i7, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Its screen is broken, so I use it as an experimental machine with macOS and Ubuntu, and I may eventually turn it into a server. Finally, I won a brand-new Dell 14 (DC14250) with an Intel Core 5, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and Windows. It was valued at about AUD 1,300, but I couldn't return it for cash. I've listed it for sale because I need money, although most offers have only been around AUD 200–300 while I was hoping for closer to AUD 800. Should I sell the new Dell, keep it and migrate my setup, repair or repurpose the MacBook, or sell one of the other machines instead?
4 Answers
There’s no requirement that every laptop be used as a daily computer. You could keep the Debian Dell as your familiar primary machine, use the MacBook for experiments, and sell the new one when you find a reasonable offer. Just avoid pricing it so low that you regret the sale; a little patience may be more valuable than accepting the first lowball offer.
It’s worth asking whether you truly need two working laptops. The MacBook already has a purpose as an experimental or future server machine, but if that project isn’t happening soon, it may be the least useful device to keep. Selling the new Dell is probably simplest, but selling the damaged MacBook could make more sense if you need money and don’t want to spend time repairing it.
If you decide to keep the new Dell, you don’t necessarily have to rebuild everything manually. You can clone the Debian installation and move it to the newer SSD, or use the new laptop as the main system while keeping the old Dell as a backup or test machine. Tools such as Clonezilla can make the migration fairly straightforward, though you should verify hardware and boot compatibility first.
I’d sell the brand-new Dell, since it’s the easiest one to turn into cash and the other two already have defined roles. Don’t accept AUD 200–300 unless you need the money immediately—that’s a steep discount for a sealed or nearly unused laptop. Try listing it in several local marketplaces, include the full model number and specifications, and be prepared to wait for the right buyer. A screen replacement could also make the MacBook a fun hardware and Linux project, but check the repair cost before committing.
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