I'm looking to purchase about 40 computers for a sober living program that mainly requires using Discord, online courses from platforms like Coursera, and general web activities, such as online banking and budgeting apps. Additionally, it would be great if these computers could support streaming content. Given the nature of the program, there's a chance that some of these computers could be stolen or damaged. What types of computers would you recommend for this situation?
5 Answers
Have you thought about picking up used or refurbished laptops from eBay? They tend to fall in the range of $150-$250 each, which is decent for a bulk buy. They might not be top-of-the-line but should work fine for your needs.
Dell and HP both offer some durable business models at reasonable prices. I'd recommend opting for desktops since they are less likely to be stolen; investing in cable locks can also be a good idea to secure them.
I hadn't considered desktops before, but that seems like a smart move.
Check out local auctions! Sometimes you can grab a lot of PCs for a lump sum, especially from businesses upgrading their systems. You might find around 20 computers for around $600-$700; they might be older but should handle web browsing and online classes.
For something budget-friendly, consider Chromebooks since your needs are mostly web-based. They tend to be cheaper and perfect for your use case.
I appreciate the advice!
You can find refurbished Chromebooks for around $99 on Woot right now; that could be a steal!
Refurbished models are definitely the way to go here. For a bulk order like this, I suggest reaching out to refurbishers on sites like Amazon or Newegg directly. Don't mention those sites! They might offer you better deals or longer warranties. B-grade desktops could work too; a little bit of wear is okay, especially since they might get stolen.
Thanks for the tip! I'll look into that.
$150 sounds reasonable. But I'm curious if it's possible to find that many used computers of the same model.