Is Your Laptop Ready to Retire?

7 Signs It’s Time to Retire Your Office Electronics (And How to Recycle Them Responsibly)

In today’s fast-moving business world, technology becomes outdated faster than you can say “software update.” But how do you know when it’s time to retire that laptop, external drive, or dusty old server sitting in the back office?

Here are seven telltale signs it’s time to decommission old electronics—and how to safely and securely recycle them with Ship-n-Destroy.

1. It’s No Longer Supported by the Manufacturer

If your system is no longer receiving software updates, especially security patches, it’s time to move on. Unsupported tech is a liability waiting to happen.

2. It Slows Down Productivity

When your hardware takes 10 minutes to boot or crashes during Zoom meetings, it’s costing you time and money. Don’t let your team suffer from slow, outdated tech.

3. You’ve Upgraded—but Kept the Old Device “Just in Case”

If you’ve replaced a server or laptop but it’s still sitting in storage “just in case,” you’re risking a security breach. Drives and devices left unattended still contain sensitive data—and the longer they sit, the easier they are to forget.

4. The Device Has Been Repaired More Than Twice

Two strikes and it’s out. Constant repairs are often more expensive (and riskier) than securely replacing the device and destroying the old one.

5. Your IT Department Is Holding a Graveyard of Old Drives

Are drawers full of hard drives and flash drives accumulating dust in your IT department? That’s not safe, and it’s definitely not compliant with data privacy regulations like HIPAA or FACTA.

6. You’re Planning an Office Move or Upgrade

If you’re already reorganizing, downsizing, or upgrading—it’s the perfect time to purge the old tech. Don’t pack your digital liabilities with your new plans.

7. You Don’t Have a Chain-of-Custody Plan for Old Media

If you can’t clearly track what happens to old devices after they leave the desk, your company is exposed to risk. That’s where Ship-n-Destroy comes in.

What to Do Next

When it’s time to retire old electronics, don’t just toss them in a drawer or recycling bin. Use Ship-n-Destroy’s Premium Service for secure, documented destruction.

Just:

• Fill out our online order form

• We send you a lockable tote, 2 numbered seals, a prepaid return label, and easy instructions

• You pack it up, send it back, and get a Certificate of Destruction for your records

Whether you’re in Vermont, Massachusetts, or New York, Ship-n-Destroy helps protect your data and your reputation.

Ready to clean house?
Start your secure destruction order at www.shipndestroy.com