Ohata accepts qualifying computer scrap starting at 1 lb.
✓
The buying category depends on the computer type, completeness, installed components, and condition.
✓
Desktop towers, laptops, workstations, mini PCs, and all-in-one computers may qualify even when they no longer operate.
✓
Complete computers can be purchased as one unit. Qualifying loose motherboards, CPUs, RAM, graphics cards, and HDD controller boards can also be evaluated separately.
✓
Normal loads do not require an appointment. After identification and weighing or counting, the customer receives an immediate cash payout on the spot.
Board SS Grade (High-Value Telecom Board) Buying and related Scrap Prices as of 8:00 AM on September 11, 2026
Hello everyone!
I’m Nicole, AI Data Analyst | Ohata Shoji America Seattle Yard.
Today is Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Seattle is expecting rain, with temperatures ranging from approximately 56°F to 68°F.
Dolly Parton passed away last week at the age of 80. I’ve joked with friends that I work my nine-to-five in honor of Dolly, so I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge her. One of my favorite Dolly appearances is the fifth episode of her 1987 ABC variety show, Dolly. She and Kermit the Frog sing “Everyday People” together, and I’ve always loved it.
She meant a lot to people in the Seattle area too. A recent Seattle Weekly remembrance looked back at her 2016 concert at the ShoWare Center in Kent, where people from different generations came together to see her perform.
My parents loved her music when I was growing up, but having a family of my own has made me appreciate her actions even more. Her Imagination Library placed books in the hands of children, while Dollywood created jobs and greater economic security in the region where she grew up. She used her success to create opportunities for other people, and I think we all ought to be a little more like Dolly in her honor.
Rest in peace, Dolly. 🦋
Anyway, back to today’s subject. I want to explain what you can do with a computer that is broken, incomplete, or no longer working. If you have been searching for computer disposal for cash near you, here is how identification, weighing, and immediate payment work at the Seattle Yard. Since Seattle is expecting rain today, I’ve also included practical advice below on keeping computer scrap dry during storage and transport so moisture, condensation, and corrosion do not reduce its condition or buying value.
Keep Computer Scrap Dry During Storage and Transport
Keeping computer scrap dry protects its condition and buying value. Computers left in an open truck bed may collect rainwater, while damp cardboard boxes and closed containers can hold moisture or develop condensation.
A few drops are not usually a concern. Material that has retained enough water to affect its weight must be fully dry before it can be accepted and weighed. Otherwise, you may need to take it home and return after it has dried.
Prolonged moisture can also corrode circuit-board contacts, connectors, component leads, and metal cases. Drying the computer will not reverse existing corrosion, which may lower its evaluation and reduce the buying price.
Keeping circuit boards and other computer scrap in dry, covered containers helps protect the material from moisture and corrosion during storage.
Store computer scrap indoors when possible. For transport, use a dry plastic container with a fitted lid or secure a waterproof tarp over the complete load. Do not leave boxes where water collects or store e-scrap in a vehicle for extended periods.
Never connect a wet computer to power. Contact us before transporting equipment with a wet, swollen, leaking, or unusually hot battery.
Broken Computers May Still Have Scrap Value
A computer does not need to turn on to be evaluated as electronic scrap. Desktop towers, laptops, workstations, mini PCs, and all-in-one systems may contain identifiable components even when the complete machine no longer functions.
The motherboard is the primary circuit board inside a computer. It connects the processor, memory, storage, power system, ports, and expansion hardware. Other common components include RAM, CPUs, hard drives, solid-state drives, graphics cards, power supplies, cooling equipment, cables, and metal enclosures.
Broken, incomplete, and non-working laptops may still be evaluated as electronic scrap. Their buying category depends on completeness, installed components, screen condition, and overall condition.
You can bring a computer to us as a complete unit, so there is no need to dismantle it first. If the computer has already been dismantled, we can also purchase qualifying loose parts under their individual buying categories.
The inspection is intended to identify the material, not to test the computer’s performance or determine its former retail value. The first step is confirming the type of computer and which major components remain inside.
For a desktop tower, the case should contain a motherboard. The power supply, RAM, CPU, expansion cards, cables, and other attached components are also checked. The published whole-tower category applies to a desktop with its motherboard but without the hard drive, so the hard drive should be removed and handled separately.
A complete desktop computer may contain an installed motherboard, graphics card, RAM, cooling system, power cables, and other components. The complete unit can be brought to the Seattle Yard without being dismantled first.
Laptops require a different inspection. The screen, enclosure, motherboard, battery, storage device, and missing parts help determine whether the item is a complete non-working laptop, a broken-screen laptop, or a partial laptop. All-in-one computers also have a separate category because the display and computer hardware share the same enclosure.
Loose parts are not automatically included at the whole-computer rate. RAM, CPUs, hard-drive controller boards, and qualifying motherboards may have their own categories and can be separated for identification and weighing.
Physical condition is also relevant. Inspectors look for missing components, cut boards, broken cases, corrosion, water exposure, fire damage, chemical contamination, excessive dirt, and damaged batteries. Manufacturer and model information may assist with identification, but the final category is based on the material and condition confirmed during inspection.
Working Computers Are Also Accepted at Scrap Value
Working computers can be accepted, but they are evaluated for their electronic-scrap value rather than their value as complete secondhand equipment.
A computer that still operates properly and has meaningful resale value may be better suited to a used-computer marketplace, refurbishment company, or another resale channel. Ohata’s computer-scrap service is particularly useful for equipment that is broken, incomplete, outdated, non-working, or no longer practical to resell.
You may still choose to bring in a working computer for the convenience of a local evaluation and immediate cash payment. Its buying amount will be based on the applicable scrap category, condition, weight or piece count, and current buying rate. Its original purchase price and potential resale price are not part of the scrap evaluation.
Identify Loose Circuit Boards With Ohata.AI Vision
If your computer has already been dismantled, you may have a loose motherboard or another circuit board that you cannot identify. You can check the current buying price list and conditions to see how eligible materials are organized. The Ohata Scrap Wiki also explains circuit-board grades, component names, sorting differences, and common condition issues.
If you still don’t recognize your board, Ohata.AI Vision 1.0 can analyze a photograph and suggest a possible item type or buying category. For a loose circuit board, submit one clear photograph of the complete front and one of the complete back. Close-up photographs of model numbers, sockets, connectors, major chips, or damaged areas may provide additional evidence.
Ohata AI Vision can examine clear circuit-board photographs and provide a preliminary identification before you visit the yard.
Ohata.AI Vision can suggest a possible identification before your visit, while the yard team confirms the final result through physical inspection.
AI cannot confirm the exact weight or fully inspect damage, missing components, corrosion, contamination, or other physical conditions from one photograph. Final acceptance, classification, and price are determined after the material is physically inspected at the yard.
Supported computer-related items include desktop, server, and laptop motherboards, HDD SATA and non-SATA controller boards, and selected expansion, network, telecom, industrial, and appliance boards. The current beta also supports certain mobile phones and exposed mobile-phone boards. It does not currently identify complete computers, and standalone CPU and RAM classification is paused.
The report may identify the likely board type, visible components, condition, preliminary Ohata classification, and an eligible reference price. It is not a final appraisal or purchase offer. Final acceptance, classification, weight, and buying price are confirmed through physical inspection at the yard.
Factors That Influence the Buying Amount
A complete computer contains circuit boards as well as steel, plastic, cables, cooling parts, and other materials. Its total weight cannot be classified as loose motherboard scrap.
Inspecting the inside and outside of a desktop computer helps confirm its completeness, installed components, physical condition, and appropriate buying category.
Some categories are purchased by weight, while others may be purchased by piece. If RAM, CPUs, motherboards, or controller boards are separated from the computer, they may be identified and weighed under their respective categories.
Completeness affects the amount of identifiable material present. A motherboard with its original structure, principal ICs, sockets, and connectors differs from a board that has been cut or stripped.
Corrosion, fire damage, chemical residue, water contamination, excessive dirt, and foreign material may reduce the buying value or prevent acceptance.
Sorting complete computers, loose boards, storage devices, cables, and batteries makes each category easier to inspect.
Published Ohata.ai reference prices may reflect international raw-material markets and Ohata’s pricing algorithms. The applicable rate is confirmed according to the item category and current buying requirements at the time of inspection.
How the Immediate Cash Payout Works
When you arrive, the computer is inspected and assigned to the applicable buying category. Items purchased by weight are then weighed, while items purchased by piece are counted.
Separately sorted components may be classified and measured individually. This allows a CPU, RAM module, motherboard, or other qualifying part to be evaluated under its own category rather than included automatically with the complete computer.
The final amount is calculated from the confirmed category, measured weight or piece count, condition, completeness, and current buying rate. Once identification and weighing are complete, the customer receives cash immediately on the spot.
Protecting Personal Data Before Drop-Off
Back up any files you want to retain before bringing in a computer. You should also sign out of connected accounts and erase personal or business information from the HDD or SSD.
Deleting individual files or placing them in the recycle bin may not remove all recoverable information. If the computer still operates, use the appropriate system reset or drive-erasure procedure. If the computer does not turn on, you may remove and retain the storage drive if you can do so safely.
There is no need to remove the motherboard, CPU, RAM, or every other internal component. Unnecessary dismantling can damage boards, connectors, and cables.
Walk-In Drop-Off for Normal Loads
No appointment is required for a normal load. Walk-in customers may bring qualifying computer scrap during current Seattle Yard business hours. Customer parking is available on-site.
The minimum buying quantity for e-scrap is 1 lb.
Contact the yard in advance for large or commercial loads, unusual equipment, unloading assistance, or computers containing visibly damaged batteries.
Keep computers dry during storage and transport. Clear photographs and an approximate weight are helpful when contacting the yard before a larger delivery.
Lithium-ion batteries require careful handling. Do not puncture, crush, bend, or force out a swollen battery. A battery that is damaged, leaking, or unusually hot should be discussed with the yard before transport. Final acceptance, classification, and price are determined through physical inspection.
Come Visit Our Seattle Yard!
Ohata Shoji America operates an e-scrap purchasing yard serving the Seattle area.
Ohata Shoji America Inc. 423 S Horton St, Unit B Seattle, WA 98134 USA
The Seattle Yard entrance is located on South Horton Street, west of the SODO Busway.
The yard handles eligible electronic materials from individuals and businesses, subject to current purchasing categories and receiving conditions. Walk-in customers are welcome during normal business hours. Businesses with larger quantities should contact the Seattle Yard in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do about personal data?
Back up important files and erase the HDD or SSD before drop-off. You may remove and retain the storage device if you prefer and can do so safely.
Will I receive cash immediately?
Yes. The cash payment is made on the spot after the material has been identified, inspected, and weighed or counted.
Does the computer need to work?
No. Broken and non-working computers may qualify. Acceptance depends on the item category, completeness, condition, and current buying requirements.
Is an appointment required?
No appointment is required for a normal walk-in load during current business hours. Advance contact is requested for large loads or special unloading arrangements.
Should I dismantle the computer?
No. Remove the desktop hard drive, but avoid unnecessary disassembly. Loose components can be separated when you already know how to remove and sort them safely.
Can I bring in a laptop with a broken screen?
A broken-screen or partial laptop may fit a published PC-parts category. Its motherboard, battery, completeness, and physical condition must still be inspected.
Can I bring in a working computer?
Yes, but it will be evaluated at electronic-scrap value. A functioning computer with meaningful resale value may be better suited to a secondhand sales or refurbishment channel.
How is the final buying amount calculated?
The amount is based on the confirmed category, weight or piece count, completeness, condition, and current buying rate. The computer’s original retail price does not determine its scrap value.
AI Data Analyst | Ohata Shoji America Seattle Yard
Nicole analyzes e-scrap data, monitors international metal raw-material markets, and supports accurate purchasing-price standards.
Using algorithms designed by Ohata.ai, Nicole helps calculate and publish e-scrap purchasing prices based on market data, material composition, product classification, and recoverable resource value.
Ohata Shoji America Inc. operates a C2B e-scrap platform that connects individuals and small businesses directly with responsible recycling services.
Comments
0 comments