February 2006 — Hardware

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Extreme Makeover: Computer Edition

by James Sweet

Refurbishers supply schools with reliable hardware for about one-third the cost of new equipment, without sacrificing any of the functionality schools need for most applications.

A Satisfied Customer

You might say that Mary Cavey knows firsthand the benefits of secondhand computers. A veteran administrator in the Chicago Public School System (IL), she has witnessed the power of technology in the hands of the mostly low-income and minority students she has served throughout her career. Cavey was among the first principals in the system to place computers in every classroom. She has also helped low-income families purchase home computers for their children.

Eight years ago, Cavey enlisted Cade’s help in equipping her schools with computers, and a relationship was paved. “We’ve worked with her at three separate schools,” Cade says. “We’ve done everything from getting computers into her classrooms and labs to helping her students get computers in their homes. Hundreds of computers in the three different schools. In one case, the Chicago Police Department was re-outfitting itself, and we took computers that had been taken out of service from the police department, refurbished them, and put them into her school.”

Cavey’s experience with Cade is typical of the bond educators and refurbishers often develop out of a shared commitment to closing the digital divide. “Working with Willie Cade and his staff has been a heartwarming experience,” says Cavey. “Along with providing a quality product, everyone at CFS pulls together on behalf of the students and their families, which is why I believe our efforts have always been successful.”

How They Do It

Refurbishers go to great lengths to provide schools with high-quality machines. Refurbishing computer equipment is a careful and precise process. The first step is to completely and securely erase the hard drive so that none of the donor’s information remains. Then a technician installs Windows and all current service packs and security updates, and may also install other software such as productivity tools, antivirus, or spyware. After the installation is complete, diagnostic software is run to confirm the system configuration and performance. Finally, the technician manually conducts a 13-point quality assurance check before the unit is shipped to a school.
Although the main goal of refurbishing is to make technology more cost-effective for schools and nonprofits, there are important environmental benefits as well. Authorized refurbishers properly dispose of unusable equipment by demanufacturing it into commodities that are recyclable.

James Sweet is a Chicago-based freelance writer and education and technology researcher.

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James Sweet, "Extreme Makeover: Computer Edition," T.H.E. Journal, 2/1/2006, http://www.thejournal.com/articles/17872

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