Here at Computers for Schools, one of our main missions is to take computers that are still very usable and get them into the hands of individuals who otherwise can’t afford to purchase brand new equipment.
Below is an explanation for what computers we have available and what some of the terminology means so you can better understand what options you have available.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about this information.
The Operating System (Required)
An operating system is a core platform of software that you install any programs that you use into. Whether it’s Mac OS (like on your school computers), Windows 10, or Linux, you need to choose one of these to install on the computer so that your programs can communicate with and use the hardware available.
$10 – Windows 10 Pro: Windows 10 has been a widely popular operating system because it is bundled with almost all computers that can be purchased ready-built from a retailer. It has a great aesthetic and is easy to pick up since many people have been familiar with past iterations of Windows.
FREE – Linux: There are many versions, or “flavors” of Linux, and if you have a preference, we’re happy to help you out with the specifics. Linux is free because it’s built Open Source where people can contribute to the project, or take it as their own as long as they don’t sell the community owned code.
FREE – Mac OS: There isn’t any extra fee for Mac OS, however since Apple has limits on what OS’s can be installed on a certain age of computer, we do install Linux on some of the Apple computers so that they have a modern and more secure operating system, in circumstances where the the native Mac OS won’t receive security updates anymore.
Desktop Computers
Desktops are by far the best bang for your buck, so to speak. We give computers out with a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. They are easier to fix, and have a lot more speed and power. Their only real drawbacks are the lack of mobility if you need to compute on the go, and lack of WiFi connectivity (although we have some solutions available).
FREE – Desktop – Core i3 to i7, 8GB of RAM, 120+ GB HDD, available in various sizes
As a note, our desktops do not come with WiFi capabilities. If you need to connect to a WiFi network with a desktop from us, let us know and we can discuss adding a wireless card to your order. Check out our other upgrades below that can really help to speed up your computer.
A.I.O – All-in-One Computers
An AIO is like a desktop, although it takes up less desk space because the computer is built into the monitor. They typically use laptop components inside to save space, and have the added benefit of having built-in WiFi connectivity.
$75 – AIO – Core i3 to i7, 8GB of RAM, 120+ GB HDD
Monitors
We bundle decently sized monitors with our desktops by default (19″), but you may want something larger or with more resolution depending on your use. If you do, we offer Premium Monitors as an addon for your order.
FREE – Regular Monitor – (19″, likely 4:3 ratio)
$20 – Premium Monitor – (19″ or larger)
If you wish to just get a monitor from us seperately, the cost is $25 for a Basic and $60 for a premium.
Laptop Computers
Laptops are normally a lot more expensive than Desktops that have similar specifications, simply because the computer parts have to be smaller, and fit together tighter to provide a more mobile platform.
$20 – Basic Laptop – Very old, and likely only usable for checking email and writing up documents.
$75 – Mid-Grade Laptop – Older processor, 4GB RAM, 100+GB Hard Drive
$150 – Premium Laptop – Similar to Desktop only with 4GB RAM, 100+ GB Hard Drive
* Students and Teachers can get a $30 discount on both models, as education support is still our core mandate.
Currently our inventory of Basic Laptops are not able to run Windows 10 and our Mid-Grades are not able to run Windows 10 very well. We highly recommend choosing Linux as it will run lighter and faster.
Upgrades
We also provide some quality of life upgrades for an added cost:
SSD (Solid State Drive)
We typically have a variety of used SSD’s, and we try to keep some brand new one’s on hand for people to purchase as well. An SSD is longterm storage like a traditional hard drive, but doesn’t have any moving parts and is a lot faster. You’ll mainly see the speed increase in computer boot up, any time a program has to access or move files, or your own transferring of files to and from the computer.
RAM Upgrades
For desktops, we can offer an upgrade from the default 8GB of RAM up to 16GB for $30. For Laptops, we can upgrade from the default 4GB to 8GB for $20. A RAM upgrade will allow you to run programs that take up more space while running, like digital editing programs, or web browsers with lots of tabs open.
Internet: Internal WiFi card or external USB WiFi adapter
Laptops won’t need this upgrade, but our desktops don’t have built in WiFi capability. The internal card plugs directly into the motherboard, and has antennae that protrude out the back of the computer for better reception. A USB adapter simply plugs externally into a USB port on the outside, but will typically have more limited range than an internal card. Please check with us regarding pricing and availability for either of these options.