As a member of the MIT community, you can buy a used laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone from the Institute. Purchasing surplus equipment is a great way to save money and put good equipment to use while reducing the cost to MIT for disposal of computing devices.
Here’s how to get started.
Obtain written approval

MIT often sells computers to people who are leaving the Institute, or when a DLC upgrades equipment for an entire department.

Once you identify the equipment you want to buy, you should get written approval from your DLC.

Note that any government-owned equipment and some private sponsored equipment cannot be purchased through MIT.

Submit a request

Submit your request to Michael McCarthy in the VPF Property Office.

All requests must include written permission, the MIT asset tag number (MIT_0501208, for example) or a description of the make/model/serial number of the equipment.

Review estimate

VPF Property Office will verify that MIT has clear title to the equipment and send you an estimate of its fair market value. Note that all equipment purchases are subject to Massachusetts sales tax (6.25%).

Make full payment

Once you know the cost with tax, send a check made out to MIT for the full amount (cost plus tax) and send to the Property Office (NE49-3000). Property Office staff will deactivate the equipment in the eProp database, and send you a deactivation tag and receipt.

Remove files and software

Departments are responsible for removing all files and software from the drive before releasing equipment. The device will retain its most recent operating system. Once you purchase a device, please remember that MIT does not provide service or support. All equipment is sold “as is.”

The Details

Obtain written approval

MIT often sells computers to people who are leaving the Institute, or when a DLC upgrades equipment for an entire department.

Once you identify the equipment you want to buy, you should get written approval from your DLC.

Note that any government-owned equipment and some private sponsored equipment cannot be purchased through MIT.

Submit a request

Submit your request to Michael McCarthy in the VPF Property Office.

All requests must include written permission, the MIT asset tag number (MIT_0501208, for example) or a description of the make/model/serial number of the equipment.

Review estimate

VPF Property Office will verify that MIT has clear title to the equipment and send you an estimate of its fair market value. Note that all equipment purchases are subject to Massachusetts sales tax (6.25%).

Make full payment

Once you know the cost with tax, send a check made out to MIT for the full amount (cost plus tax) and send to the Property Office (NE49-3000). Property Office staff will deactivate the equipment in the eProp database, and send you a deactivation tag and receipt.

Remove files and software

Departments are responsible for removing all files and software from the drive before releasing equipment. The device will retain its most recent operating system. Once you purchase a device, please remember that MIT does not provide service or support. All equipment is sold “as is.”

Did You Know?

The Property Office administers a separate accounting program for equipment that is fabricated on campus.
Even if you have equipment donated to your lab or center, the Property Office must keep track of it in the Institute’s inventory system.
You can get a listing of all your DLC’s computers by emailing the VPF Property Office. In your message, list your DLC number or costs centers and specify how you want the report sorted—by location, person, account, equipment, or type.
mailto:property@mit.edu
You can access eProp—the Institute’s database of nearly 100,000 items—by contacting Richard Janus in the Property Office.
mailto:rjanus@mit.edu
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