Where do you purchase your classroom IT equipment?
- Thread starter Taz
- Start date
We have had CIN members previously mention that surplus auctions as a resource for computers for classroom tear down. It might be worth keeping an eye on. https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/browse/cataucs?catid=1
I've done this in the past - you don't have to use updated machines (or even functional ones), to go through things like laptop, printer, or PC tear down activities. For some students, this may even be a bonus because of the fear of "messing something up" as a result of learning how to do proper system tear downs. Or even if the machine is working, if it's a $50 machine that gets popped in the lab, well, no harm done.
It's also amazing how many people want to give you old hardware that they no longer want. I've had to turn people away over the years, lest I become a dumping ground for old tech. Luckily, we also have a good recycle spot that does tech buyback.
It's also amazing how many people want to give you old hardware that they no longer want. I've had to turn people away over the years, lest I become a dumping ground for old tech. Luckily, we also have a good recycle spot that does tech buyback.
You got it! And students can take parts from a couple of dead boxes and make a running box. When I was in the classroom, we would have "Game Day Friday" but in order for them to play they had to first make the computers run and then network them together. Amazing how fast they learn in that situation.
When it comes to server-focused classes, it's a good idea to keep an eye on refurbishing companies or foreclosure auctions. A colleague of mine usually gets routers and servers from foreclosures, while I get my good from larger refurbishers.
eBay is your friend when it comes to EOL equipment, we rolled out our Newark NJ and updated our Bronx NY location in 2019. For servers I use https://www.serversuperstore.com/
Here's another suggestion: your local IT enthusiast forums often have want / classified ads.
In the Netherlands, https://www.tweakers.net is a large enthusiast group for professionals and hobbyists. Their "V&A" ("vraag & aanbod" : requests and offers) often has old server hardware, which was previously used in a homelab or to run gaming servers. That's where I got a decent Dell R710 last week.
In the Netherlands, https://www.tweakers.net is a large enthusiast group for professionals and hobbyists. Their "V&A" ("vraag & aanbod" : requests and offers) often has old server hardware, which was previously used in a homelab or to run gaming servers. That's where I got a decent Dell R710 last week.