Cheap or free laptop/computer

Smurtfet

Hi does anyone know where I can apply for a cheap or free laptop or computer? I have three children all needing to use the internet for online learning but we only have one laptop which my son is using for university work, my other children are sharing my phone but I also need to work from home and as a single parent, I can’t afford to buy three laptops/computers. 

strawb_shortcake

Both our primary and secondary school surveyed the children to see who had IT equipment and internet at home and were making alternative arrangements for the children without to still do their school work.
Your children certainly won't be the only ones that need offline resources so speak to the school for them to send work home rather than worry about how you are going to afford another laptop or two.

Illusionary

If you do find yourself needing to buy, you can pick up complete desktop PCs for as little as £50 from eBay. For example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FULL-DELL-HP-DUAL-CORE-SFF-DESKTOP-TOWER-PC-TFT-COMPUTER-SYSTEM-WINDOWS-10/254260781864

Over and above the minimum spec, for an additional £10 I'd recommend opting for a 17" monitor (rather than 15") and 4GB RAM (rather than 2GB), if your budget allows.

poppy12345

Free computers? not that i know of. My daughter attends a special school/college and they've been sending homework home each week. She has a laptop but not everyone does and to make sure all students received work they decided to send homework home. I would definitely speak to their school.

EssJayD

Agree speak to the school.  I got a bit of a hairy eyeball but they soon wound their necks in when I said me using our only laptop (happens to be a work one too) was more important to keep a roof over our heads so my children had somewhere they could do their school work!

Or can you pick up a tablet?  About £60 from Argos I think...

[Deleted User]

On the news this morning there was an announcement that the government is enabling a government led loan scheme for those with children who need computers.  However these things normally take time to set up but it might be worth contacting your children's schools.  They might be able to look into what this scheme is. UPDATE found this https://feweek.co.uk/2020/04/19/dfe-to-launch-online-portal-for-colleges-to-apply-for-free-student-laptops/

I also found this with a google search.  I hope there are some useful links there : https://www.choose.co.uk/guide/free-computer-schemes-on-benefits.html

While its nice for every child to have a computer, one computer is better than none, there will be some arguments initially but they will have to learn to share and allocate time if they don't already.  A rule that if there are any arguments, no one gets to use it usually works with things my children have to share.  Depending on how old your children are, doing jobs to help you in exchange for computer time could bring all kinds of rewards. I find having computers in the house is the ultimate enforcer of good behaviour lol.

Hermann

If you do need to buy consider a firm called ITZoo, they sell ex corporate refurbished laptops.

They sometimes have 'bargain' ones that are a bit scuffed or cosmetic damage for under £100 but with decent specs and they tend to very strong durable models.

They are still delivering during Covid-19 and you usually get a 10% off code if you sign up with your email address.

https://itzoo.co.uk/

Galloglass

Freegle is another but their website says they have ceased offers due to CV19 as you can't really travel to get it. 

https://www.ilovefreegle.org/