I may well be missing something, but here goes.

Based on most of the comments I'm seeing, it's like people didn't fully read the article. In particular, this quote:

> Responsible recyclers and refurbishers wipe the data from used devices before selling them on. In these cases, the data is wiped, but cannot be assigned to a new user, making them effectively worthless. Instead of finding these machines a second home, Bumstead and others are dismantling them and selling the parts. These computers often end up at recycling centers after corporations go out of business or buy all new machines.

It's saying that the machines are being wiped for prior owner security, but that this removes the ability for a new user to activate the laptop.