Middle School Saves $52,000 Buying Used Macs

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 03/03/14

A Los Angeles middle school has worked with a company that refurbishes Apple computers and tablets to purchase 35 MacBooks and 40 iMacs for less than half the cost of new machines. Thomas Starr King Middle School acquired the devices from Mac to School, a California-based company that delivers used Apple equipment to schools nationwide.

This wasn't the first time the school had worked with Mac to School. According to Principal Mark Naulls, he has been impressed by the company's customer support and warranties.

"We are always looking for creative ways to get the most instructional value for every dollar we spend," he said. "Buying refurbished computers from Mac to School allowed us to make the most of our technology budget without sacrificing the quality of the devices."

In the latest deal, purchasing the computers directly from Apple would have cost $85,000 — about $1,133 on average per machine. The refurbished technology cost $33,000, about $440 per machine.

Mac to School also purchases used Apple equipment from districts that are refreshing their computers. The company sells refurbished Macs, iPads and Apple accessories in quantities from five to 500. Products include a one-year warranty, free shipping, operating system installation and custom imaging.

Among Mac to School's customers are Trinity Independent School District in Texas, Chawanakee Unified School District in California and Pemayetv Emahakv Our Way Charter School in Florida.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • female technology director leading a meeting

    Navigating the First Year as a Female Technology Director: A Journey of Leadership and Empowerment

    For women in the landscape of technology leadership, the first year is both a proving ground and a powerful platform. It's a year of listening deeply, learning quickly, leading boldly, and paving the way for others.

  • toolbox featuring a circuit-like AI symbol and containing a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer

    Microsoft Launches AI Tools for Educators

    Microsoft has introduced a variety of AI tools aimed at helping educators develop personalized learning experiences for their students, create content more efficiently, and increase student engagement.

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • three main icons—a cloud, a user profile, and a padlock—connected by circuit lines on a blue abstract background

    Identity Has Become a Critical Security Perimeter for Cloud Services

    A new threat landscape report from Fortinet points to new cloud vulnerabilities. According to the company's 2025 Global Threat Landscape Report, while misconfigured cloud storage buckets were once a prime vector for cybersecurity exploits, other cloud missteps are gaining focus.