|
February
2008 - Computer Aid International
Technical
Information about Computer Aid International
Professionally
Refurbished PCs:
Computer
Aid International is a registered UK charity (1069256) and not-for-profit
NGO.
We
charge a handling fee of £39 plus shipping per computer to recover
our costs.
Computer
Aid International has the world's largest not-for-profit refurbishing
centre dedicated entirely to providing the highest possible specification
PCs to developing countries. 100% of the working P3 and P4 computers donated
to Computer Aid International are passed on to beneficiary organisations
at the lowest possible cost. Computer Aid International is unique in its
commitment to providing the highest quality professionally refurbished
PCs available at the lowest possible cost.
We
currently guarantee that you will receive a minimum of 40%
Pentium 4 (or equivalent) and 60% Pentium 3 (or equivalent) computers
in every order.
This
means that in your order of computers you will receive at least
the specifications listed below and whenever possible higher
specifications of machines . We also add free
extra machines to each order of twenty machines or more to pre-compensate
in the event of any machine being damaged in transit. Please see the section
below for a list of your free equipment .
Our
mission is to maximise the volume of high quality PCs reaching not-for-profit
organisations at the lowest costs possible. We
can supply your organisation with any number of PCs from 1 to
over 10,000 . If you require a large volume of computers or have
a specific request then please discuss your particular needs with us.
Computer
Aid International is fortunate in terms of the technical specifications
of equipment that we are able to provide because our donations come directly
from UK donor companies and the technical specifications increase constantly
over time. Our beneficiaries directly benefit from this increase in specification
as soon as it happens.
Currently
the minimum specifications that we supply in every order
is:
40%
Pentium 4 or equivalent PCs with:
a
minimum of 256 Mb RAM
between
1.4Ghz – 3.0Ghz+ processors
(AMD
– XP+ processor, Celeron – 1.5Ghz+ processor)
between
20Gb and 200Gb+ hard
disks
100%
of P4s have CD-ROM Drives
100%
of machines will have either a USB port or floppy disk drive
60%
Pentium 3 or equivalent PCs with:
a
minimum of 128 Mb RAM
between
750mhz and 1.2Ghz processors
(AMD – 750 Mhz+
processor Celeron – 750Mhz+ processor)
between
10Gb and 40Gb hard disks
100%
of P3s have CD-ROM Drives
100%
of machines will have either a USB port or floppy disk drive
Each
machine is a full system - boxed and securely packaged complete with its
own colour SVGA monitor, keyboard, mouse and cables.
Power
plugs are UK standard (three square pins) and so in many countries you
will need to replace them with standard local plugs.
More
Detailed Specifications:
Our
monitors are approximately 10% 15 inch and 90% 17 inch .
Once again we do not distinguish between 15 inch and 17 inch monitors
when costing. If you have a preference for 17” only then please let us
know on your application form and we will do our best to accommodate your
needs. We can also occasionally supply extra large 19 and 21-inch monitors
if you have a need for these, although they will take up more space, which
may increase the cost of shipping.
CD-ROM
drives are supplied as
standard in 100% of our machines.
Network
cards are supplied as
standard in 100% of our machines.
Most
of our machines will have a USB port either at the back or front of the
computer. We will ensure that your computer has either a USB port or floppy
disk drive.
Our
machines are supplied without Computer Aid International adding new sound
cards although most PCs do now have their own internal devices.
All
machines are 220/240 volts as standard. If you require
machines switched to 110/120 volts we are happy to provide this service
however it is essential that you indicate this need
in your application.
Software:
As
standard our machines do not come with operating systems or with any applications
software. You may wish
to obtain and install this yourself locally because it may be cheaper
for you to obtain it than for us to buy it here. If you require assistance
sourcing Microsoft products in your own country then we may be able to
help.
Computer
Aid International is, however, a Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher, which
allows us to install a Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP licensed operating
system only at a cost of £5.00 per machine .
We
can also supply Ubuntu Linux and Open Office open source software (operating
system and applications). If supplied on CD-ROM this is free. To pre-install
on hard drives we charge £5.00 per PC. Please ask if you require
this service.
Other
Information
All
our computers are donated in the UK from many sources and so we cannot
guarantee any brand or particular type of computer. Wherever possible
we keep machines of a particular brand and model together and ship them
together but we can never tell you what specific makes, models or brands
will be in a particular consignment. To ensure fairness of distribution
no one is allowed to reserve “only Dell” or “only major global
brands” etc. We do not supply unbranded clones. You will receive
a mixture of the most popular brands used by UK companies.
We
datawipe, test and clean each machine and label it with its technical
specifications on the base unit and on a label on the outside of each
box for your convenience.
Once
the container has been loaded we will have the information necessary to
make up the Bill of Lading, Shipping Invoice
and Gift Certificate. The shipping line provides us with the Bill of Lading
only once your consignment is at sea. Once we receive these documents
we will send them to you, via DHL, at
the earliest opportunity in order to assist you in negotiating the smooth
passage of your equipment through customs.
Prior
to shipment we can also supply some example
shipping documents and sample details of equipment to illustrate your
discussions with customs officials. Please ask for these if they would
be helpful.
We
have a lot of experience of dealing with pre-shipment inspections if this
is necessary in your country.
You
will need to be proactive in liaison with customs at your end to effect
clearance efficiently and to avoid unnecessary charges. It is your responsibility
to make sure that you provide customs and (where necessary) the pre-shipment
inspection agency with all relevant documentation in good time.
Bespoke
“Special Orders”
The
above-specified equipment is what we can offer from our donated stock
at £39 per PC plus shipping.
If
you have other specific needs we can almost certainly meet them. However
we will need to buy in what you require from other organisations and it
will be more expensive.
We
can add CD / DVD-writers, internal modems, wireless network cards etc.
to our computers. We are happy to provide specific orders tailored to
your needs but we will pass on all purchase costs to you. Please detail
your needs on the application form and we will et you a current price.
Higher
Specification Computers - Example Prices at Feb 2008 (subject
to availability).
100%
256Mb RAM P4 PCs , minimum
256 Mb RAM , minimum 1.4 GHz processor, 20-200Gb hard
disk, usb or floppy, CD-ROM, soundcard, modem , NIC at
£79 pounds sterling plus shipping per PC. Pentium
4s are subject to availability.
Upgrades:
we can also buy and
install the following new components for you:
Internal
Wireless cards
+ £ 20 per PC
Laptop
Wireless PCMCIA cards
+ £ 15 each
CD
/ DVD writer
+ £ 25 per PC
Soundcard
and speakers
+ £ 15 per PC
Internal
56k modem
+ £ 15 per PC
Upgrade
to 512mb RAM
+ £ 25 per PC
Upgrade
to 1Gb RAM
+ £ 50 per PC
New
Equipment: We can buy
this equipment to include in your shipment:
Inkjet
Printer +
£ 40 per printer
2Gb
USB flash memory stick
+ £ 15 each
Webcam
+
£ 15 each
Digital
Camera +
£ 45 each
Surge
Protector 4 UK plug sockets (230V)
+ £ 10 each
Uninterruptible
Power Supply (230V):
+ £ 45each (can support two computers)
Please
note when ordering UPSs that the weight and therefore shipping cost of
your
order
will increase. This does not apply to container orders.
The
above costs include installation by Computer Aid technicians in London
. In many cases you may be able to buy these new items and install them
more cheaply in your country so please check whether this is the case
before ordering from Computer Aid.
Laptops:
Please
note that battery life
on refurbished laptops is often
very poor. The laptops have been professionally refurbished and fully
tested using mains electrical supply. We do not guarantee the functionality
of the batteries on laptop PCs.
We
do not currently have laptops available from our own stock.
We
can buy a refurbished Pentium 4 laptop
for you for £199
|
