This non-commercial Web page is made possible by the generous support of the California Emerging Technology Fund.
Download the Computers for Low-Income Families flyer:
Computers, Internet, and Training For California Low-Income Families
TechSoup.org and the California Emerging Technology Fund envision a time when every child and low-income family in California have a computer and the technology skills necessary to succeed in school and work. This page will help you find information on where to find low-cost computers, internet, tech support, and computer training.
To find a Community Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher who supplies low-cost computers near you, click on your region below where it says: 'Low Cost Computers Near You'. Computer prices vary greatly, please contact each provider for more information.
Looking for low-cost Internet? Looking for computer tech support? Looking for computer classes and workshops? Many Community Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers listed offer these services, or explore the links just below.
Find additional tools and tips for greening your nonprofit through TechSoup's GreenTech Initiative, where social benefit organizations can share and learn more about technology choices that can help to reduce our overall impact on the environment.
Northern California
| Company | Warranty | Technical Support | Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computers For Classrooms, Inc. www.computersforclassrooms.org 530-895-4175 315 Huss Drive Chico, CA 95928 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Restoration Enterprises 530-245-0500 3300 Veda St,PO Box 994544 Redding, CA 96099 |
Yes | No | No |
| Tri-County Independent Living www.tilinet.org 707-445-8404 2822 Harris Street Eureka, CA 95503 |
Limited | Limited | Yes |
Central Valley
| Company | Warranty | Technical Support | Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argosy E-cycling LLC www.ecycleit.com 916-313-5742 3845 Dividend Dr, Suite B Shingle Springs, CA 95682 |
Yes | Limited | Yes |
| CAJ Skills Center www.caj.edu 916-433-2600 5451Lemon Hill Ave Sacramento, CA 95824 |
Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Computers 4 Kids (of California) www.c4kca.org 916-375-0681 1541 Merkeley Ave. West Sacramento, CA 95691 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Computers For Classrooms, Inc. www.computersforclassrooms.org 530-895-4175 cfc@digitalpath.net Computers for Classrooms, Attention: Pat Furr Inc. 315 Huss Dr., Chico, CA 95928 |
|||
| Computers For Developing Minds 650-464-3391 701 Park Meadow Dr., 35-25 Bay Rd. Modesto, CA 95358 |
Yes | No | No |
| Merit Incorporated www.meritpartners.org 209-946-0721 7650 Newcastle Rd, Chad YCF-Shop 19 Stockton, CA 95215 |
No | No | Only on prison premises |
| Pioneer High School www.phs.wjusd.org/cisco 530-661-4563 Pioneer High School/Yolo County ROP, 1400 Pioneer Avenue Woodland, CA 95776 |
No | No | Yes (new class begins August 13, 2009) |
| Sheriff's Toy Project 916-361-4571 10117 Mills Station Road, Suite C Rancho Cordova, CA 95741 |
Limited | Yes | Yes |
San Francisco Area
| Company | Warranty | Technical Support | Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computers & Education www.crc.org 707.570.1600 3227c Santa Rosa Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95407 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Computers For Classrooms, Inc. www.computersforclassrooms.org 530-895-4175 cfc@digitalpath.net Computers for Classrooms, Attention: Pat Furr Inc. 315 Huss Dr., Chico, CA 95928 |
|||
| Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo www.sfgoodwill.org 415-575-2206 1500 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94103 |
Yes | No | No |
| Hayward Adult School www.has.edu 510-293-8595 x4899 22100 Princeton St. Hayward, CA 94541 |
No | Limited | Yes |
| Mission Trails ROP 831-753-4209 867 Laurel Drive Salinas CA 93905 |
No | No | Yes |
| Oakland Technology Exchange-West www.otxwest.org 510-893-4822 1680 14th Street Oakland, CA 94607 |
Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Occupational Training Institute www.oti.fhda.edu/computer_scholar.html 408-864-5713 De Anza College, OTI-1,21250 Stevens Creek Blvd Cupertino, CA 95014 |
Limited | Limited | Through the college (recipient must be enrolled as a student at either Foothill or De Anza College) |
| PC Community www.pcc.org 510-652-1726 P.O. Box 55513 Hayward, CA 94545 |
No | Limited | Yes |
| ReliaTech www.reliatech.org 510-234-1300 2300 El Portal Drive, Suite G San Pablo, CA 94806 |
Yes | Yes | No |
| TREX/El Cerrito United Methodist Church trex4u@earthlink.net 501-932-2902 6830 Stockton Ave. El Cerrito, CA 94530 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Watsonville/Aptos Adult Education www.waas.pvusd.net 831-786-2160 294 Green Valley Road Watsonville, CA 95076 |
No | To enrolled students only | Yes |
Los Angeles Area
| Company | Warranty | Technical Support | Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computers For Families www.sbcff.org 805-964-4711 X5400 SBCEO, 4400 Cathedral Oaks Road Santa Barbara, CA 93160 |
Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Bridge Over Digital Divide, Inc. (501c3) www.bodd.org 310.305.1100 9800 South La Cienega Blvd., Suite 200-15 Inglewood, CA 90301 |
Yes | Yes (only for the computers they distribute and install) | Yes (bi-lingual English-Spanish; classroom, in-home and on-line) |
| Komputers 4 R Kids, Inc. www.k4rk.org 562-860-7463 10805 E. Artesia Blvd. #107 Cerritos, CA 90703 |
Yes | No | Yes |
| Nathan J Kellogg 951-236-5740 7748 Morningside Highland, CA 92346 |
Yes (30 days) | No | No |
| Neighbors Empowering Youth neypcworkshop.org 626-791-2095 2062 Lincoln Avenue Pasadena, CA 91003 |
Yes (depends on computer) | Yes | Yes (all ages) |
| OMNI Technics INC www.ca-recycle.com 562-627-1910 11278 Los Alamitos Blvd, #111 Los Alamitos, CA 90720 |
Yes | Only to the NPOs | No |
| Paradox Community Technologies, Inc. www.paradoxct.org 805-208-1984 333 Fairhaven Ct. Newbury Park, CA 91320 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pasadena Computer Works www.4pcworks.com 626-449-4729 Pasadena, CA 91107 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Riverside www.smartrivertside.org 951-351-6190 5950 Acorn Street Riverside, CA 92504 |
Exchange no warranty | No | Yes |
| South County Family Educational & Cultural Center www.explorationstation.org 805-473-1421 867 Ramona Ave. Grover Beach, CA 93433 |
Limited | Yes | Yes |
| The Hands Ministry www.thehandsonline.org 626-407-3566 PO Box 1451 La Canada, CA 91012 |
No | No | Yes |
| TKO Electronics, Inc. www.tkoeducation.com 818-879-2233 or 877-219-6228 31113 Via Colinas Westlake Village, CA 91362 |
Yes (1-3 years) | Yes (1-3 years) | No |
San Diego Area
| Company | Warranty | Technical Support | Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Computer Empowerment Services www.adaptive.org 619-448-0636 10054 Prospect Ave., Suite E Santee, CA 92071 Limited to low-income and disabled, or low-income and senior (over 65) |
Limited | Phone | one-on-one by appointment |
| Computers 2 SD Kids www.computers2sdkids.org 858-558-0510 C2SDK Refurbishing Warehouse, 7630 Miramar Road, Suite 2300 San Diego, CA 92121 |
Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Kids In Touch Communications, Inc. www.kidsintouchcommunications.org 858-337-7355 P.O. Box 503123 San Diego, CA 92150 |
No | No | No |
| San Diego Futures Foundation www.sdfutures.org 619-269-1684 4275 El Cajon Blvd. #200 San Diego, CA 92105 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
- Freedomlist ISP Directory
- Free and cheap internet service providers
- Freedomelist Free Internet List
- Juno, Netzero, Sevenmidgets, SoCal Free
- Freedomlist Low-Cost Internet
- 140 carriers starting at $4 per month
- All2EZ
- $5 per month dial-up, requires a credit or debit card associated with Visa, Mastercard, or Discover.
- Basic ISP
- $7 per month, $10 for accelerated. Can arrange to pay by check or money order.
- Mike Cook, marketing director, admin@copper.net, 800-456-3118
- Copper.net
- $10 per month or $99 per year. Half off for the first 6 months. Can arrange to pay by check or money order. 888-336-3318
- OTX Discount Links
- ATT
- $10 per month DSL for one year
- California LifeLine
- $2.85 per month. Phone service for low-income households
- DSL Extreme
- $15 per month DSL
- Frys.com
- Basic Internet Access $5.99/Month
Many of the refurbishers listed here offer computer training. Classes may also be offered at these organizations:
Purchasing a new computer for the first time can be overwhelming. The following resources will help you understand your options and enable you to make a more informed decision:
