What to do with your old HP 95LX

HP looked into the possibility of providing a 95LX-to-100LX upgrade. However, it proved economically unfeasible since the 95LX and the 100LX are made up of different parts -- the 100LX is a completely new machine.

If you purchase a 100LX, what do you do with your 95LX? Here are some options:

Sell your 95LX Locally

Put an add in a paper or sell it to a friend. This solution may require the most time, but it will probably be your best financial option.

Put a "For Sale" notice on an electronic bulletin board

Most private and commercial electronic bulletin boards allow you to put up for sale notices. Unfortunately, you may meet with a lot of competition depending on where you advertise.

Sell your 95LX to a dealer in used equipment

This approach minimizes time and hassle. However, it also minimizes what you will receive for your HP 95LX since the dealer must make the venture profitable for himself (street prices for a brand new 512K 95LX may be less than $400.) Remember, the used equipment dealer must pay his marketing and operations expense so don't be shocked by what he offers you. Currently, I am aware of four such avenues.

• SupplyLine, the UK distributor of The HP Palmtop Paper, has set up a system to trade in your HP 95LX. For more information, contact: David Snellard, SupplyLine, Unit A, 75 South Western Road, Twickenham, TW1 1LG, UNITED KINGDOM; Phone: +44-81-744- 0022; Fax: +44-81-744-0045; CompuServe: [100064,1525].
• The Boston Computer Exchange purchases and resells used computer equipment. For more information, call: 800-262-6399 or 617-542-4414; Fax: 617-542-8849. -
• Thaddeus Computing (that's us) can always use extra palmtops for various projects including possible resale. Please don't call. If you want to mail in your Palmtop equipment and manuals to us, here is what we will pay for equipment in good working order and good shape:

1. 512 95LX (with manuals) $100; --
2. 1MB 95LX (with manuals) -- $120;
3. HP Connectivity Pack with cable and manual -- $20;
4. 95LX Serial Cable - $10;
5. Misc (RAM cards, software and other items), we'll look things over, but we won't be able to offer much, if anything.
6. Send equipment to: HP 95LX Used Equipment, Thaddeus Computing, 57 E. Broadway, Fairfield, IA 52556, USA. Include a note mentioning this offer with your phone and fax number. You will receive reimbursement within three weeks after we receive the equipment. (You can request credit for renewals to The HP Palmtop Paper, or credit towards The HP Palmtop Paper on disk if you prefer).

What a great present to pass along. (If you really want to give them a good start, order them a set of back issues to The HP Palmtop Paper.)

Donate your 95LX to charity

Check with your accountant to see how much you can deduct as a charitable contribution. Universities make natural recipients. If you like the idea but don't want to spend the time finding a recipient, here are two suggestions:

• Send it to the Cristina foundation -- The National Cristina Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that shares computer and high tech applications to help people in need lead productive lives. For more information contact: NCF, 42 Hillcrest Drive, Pelham Manor, Ny 10803, USA; Phone: 800-274-7846 or 914-738-7494.
• Send it to us marked "HP 95LX Donation" -- we'll see that the equipment is donated to our local university, Maharishi International University. (MIU specializes in research in consciousness). We will make sure that MIU sends you a receipt which you can use for your taxes. Send equipment to: HP 95LX Donation, Thaddeus Computing, 57 E. Broadway, Fairfield, IA 52556, USA.