[Web4lib] Re: TechSoup Refurbished Computers?

Tue Apr 21 15:25:49 EDT 2009

I tried sending this message last week and didn't see it come through
and it's not in the archives. I apologize if it's a repost.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael, Ted, Bill, et. al.

I'm a librarian and writer for TechSoup, and while I don't work directly
with the refurbished computer part of TechSoup, I sent along your
question to the right folks, and here's the reply I got:

"Although we cannot guarantee that customers will receive a specific
make and/or model for this particular machine (the Dell 2.8-3.0 GHz
desktop), most of our refurbishing partners supply consists of Dell
Optiplex GX270s and GX280s. They are guaranteed to be tested and in 'A'
condition, have Genuine Microsoft OS (Win2K or XP) and Office licenses
preinstalled, a brand new keyboard and mouse, and come with a 90-day
warranty. Additional information about the peripherals (such as optical
drives and ports) can be found on the individual product pages on the
TechSoup web site."

Ted, I'm really sorry that you didn't receive a reply in a timely
fashion, and I'll follow up off list about that. 

Best,
Chris

******************************************
Chris Peters | Technology Analyst, TechSoup.org | a part of TechSoup
Global | cpeters at techsoup.org | o: +1.415.633.9328 | f: +1.415.633.9400

www.techsoupglobal.org | www.techsoup.org - the technology network for
social benefit organizations

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Ted Bazemore
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 9:44 AM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Web4lib] Re: TechSoup Refurbished Computers?

Thanks for the link, Bill. While TechSoup has a great price, I like to
know
exactly what I'm getting for my money and that doesn't seem to be how
they
operate. I've called them twice and emailed their customer service to
find
out what model machines I could expect with no response in almost a
week.

While I appreciate all they do to offer refurbished computers and
discounted
software, this doesn't encourage me to do business with them. Are there
any
other recommendations on refurbished machines?

-- 
Ted Bazemore
Assistant Director of Information Technology
Clayton County Library System
(770) 210-5237
ted at claytonpl.org

> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:53:43 -0500
> From: "Michael J. Dargan" <dargan at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Web4lib] TechSoup Refurbished Computers?
> To: Web4lib at webjunction.org
> Message-ID:
>        <52647a500904131753mc23aa73oef912775b9493c2 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hello--
> I'm looking for people who have purchased refurbished computers from
> TechSoup.  I see that they currently offer off-lease Dell 2.8-3.0 P4s,
512
> ram, and 90 day warranty for $169.  What am I likely to get?
Optiplexes?
>  Dimensions?  Vostros?  I figure I couldn't go too far wrong for $169,
but
> still, I'm intrigued by the idea of buying 10--what's the worst that
could
> happen?
>
> --
> Michael J. Dargan
> Reference & Technical Systems Administrator
> Waterloo & Cedar Falls Public Libraries
> twitter.com/MikeDargan http://tinyurl.com/6bxx8q
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:12:42 -0400
> From: Bill Hudson <bhudson at lancasterlibraries.org>
> Subject: RE: [Web4lib] TechSoup Refurbished Computers?
> To: "Web4lib at webjunction.org" <Web4lib at webjunction.org>
> Message-ID: <FA1C83C019407847964B4BC3BDEA3E0872407672 at mail.lanco.lib>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>
> Hi Michael,
> We haven't purchased any used machines from TechSoup since we
generally buy
> Lenovo Thinkcentre machines. But if you are interested in refurbs,
check out
> www.systime.com They have a larger selection of Dells than TechSoup,
> though the prices tend to be little higher and the standard warranty
is 30
> days. For comparison, here are the specs of machines we are
considering at
> $179 a piece:
>
>
> IBM ThinkCentre S51 P4 3.2 GHz Small Form Factor Desktop
>
> The ThinkCentre S51 series is the stable platform that offers a blend
of
> essential features and technology, including Intel processors, USB
ports,
> numerous security features, and powerful software tools to backup and
> protect your data - all at an affordable price.
>
>    * Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz processor, 800 MHz FSB, 1MB L2 cache
>    * Intel 915G Express chipset
>    * 512MB DDR2 dual-channel memory (expandable to 4GB)
>    * DVD/CD-RW combo optical drive
>    * 40GB serial ATA hard drive
>    * integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 video
>    * PCI Express x16 graphics expansion slot
>    * integrated Broadcom Gigabit 10/100/1000 Ethernet networking
>    * Eight USB 2.0 ports (two front, six rear)
>    * Black small form factor desktop chassis
>    * Keyboard and mouse included
>    * Grade "A" condition off-lease system
>    * QC-tested, 30-day warranty (upgradeable to 3 years)
>    * Stable-platform solution for consistent system imaging and
support
>    * Microsoft Windows XP Professional OS w/coa included
>
> We've purchased several dozen machines from Systime and I can
recommend
> them as a stand-up vendor so far. (no affiliation or intrest in the
company)
> We about to buy 60 plus of the machines above.
>
> BH
>
>
************************************************************************
*****
> Bill Hudson
> Deputy Administrator/Manager, Information Technology
> Library System of Lancaster County
> 1866 Colonial Village Lane, Ste. 107
> Lancaster, PA  17601
> 717-207-0500 ext. 1269
> http://www.lancasterlibraries.org
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
> > [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Michael
> > J. Dargan
> > Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 8:54 PM
> > To: Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > Subject: [Web4lib] TechSoup Refurbished Computers?
> >
> > Hello--
> > I'm looking for people who have purchased refurbished
> > computers from TechSoup.  I see that they currently offer
> > off-lease Dell 2.8-3.0 P4s, 512 ram, and 90 day warranty for
> > $169.  What am I likely to get?  Optiplexes?
> >  Dimensions?  Vostros?  I figure I couldn't go too far wrong
> > for $169, but still, I'm intrigued by the idea of buying
> > 10--what's the worst that could happen?
> >
> > --
> > Michael J. Dargan
> > Reference & Technical Systems Administrator Waterloo & Cedar
> > Falls Public Libraries twitter.com/MikeDargan
> > http://tinyurl.com/6bxx8q
> > _______________________________________________
> > Web4lib mailing list
> > Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
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