Need help making a decision!

[Little-Miss]

Eugh! Argh!!! (thats just how im feeling)

Right, 8 of our Infant classrooms have smelly elonex computers. (the little slims ones that have spontanouesly combusted on my twice when i opened them up to find out why they were over heating!!) My problem is that they are slowly starting to die. So far i have one that wont go further then bios (hdd i suppose is one option) and another 2 that boot when they feel like it.

Now i have 2 options:

1: waste my time and try to keep these machines alive until i get enough budget to buy brand new machines (next year!)...
2: or buy some refubished ones from ICT Direct for a decent price which come with 2 years warranty.

I did ask Sysman for his opinion about this so no offence if you read this sysman!! Just starting to wonder whether i should just replace them all or just the machines with the problems.

[EduTech]

Are you still have them fail on a regular basis? causing you head ache!

I would speak to John @ ICT Direct i am sure he will be able to find you something for a great price! he has some cracking refurb kit at the moment.

See Open Boxed List: ICT Direct - Open Boxed Stock update monthly

[strawberry]

option 2 m'dear. everytime, you'll only be wasting (wo)man hours chasing bad equipment. Cheaper and more uptime if you go for something new and shiney ( or slightly older but wonderfully priced )

[dhicks]

buy some refubished ones from ICT Direct for a decent price

Just for price comparision: I'm pretty impressed with the Acer Veriton nettop machines we got from Acer Outlet, and for £200 each they might be comparable with second-hand kit.

--
David Hicks

[Little-Miss]

That is very true. I do have that niggle at the back of my mind!

[john]

John's second users ones for me Probably due to lack of cash in the place replace most of ours PCs taht are needing changing with kit from John

[azrael78]

I'd go for option 2 - providing of course you have the budget.

If you try option 1 - then you waste alot of time for potentially small/if any benefit. If the machines really are that flakey, I'd simply go the route of replacing - even if you have to do it peacemeal.

If budget is an issue you can always buy what you can now - take the smelly elonex out of those rooms and use them for hot-standby spares or spare-parts to try and keep the rest going for as long as you can.

Ultimately your decision comes down to budget - if you got the cash, go for #2

Az

[witch]

Have you thought of asking any senior schools around (in your pyramid) if they have any spare machines? Or anyone near you on Edugeek?
I have refurbished one of my IT suites with computers and flat screens donated by the local high school and netman from here
It really is worth a go!
You do need to replace them though - keeping them alive isn't really an option