Appendix E: Computer Vendors

Computer Manufacturers and Other Sites for Finding Specifications and Drivers
Used Computer Dealers
Parts, Tools, and Supplies Dealers

1. Computer Manufacturers and Other Sites for Finding Specifications and Drivers

The big advantage of the web is that, once information about a product has been put up on the web, the cost of keeping it available is extremely low. Thus, computer manufacturers can make things like device drivers and spec sheets freely available on the web long after they would be willing to answer questions about the same products. Thus, manufacturers' web sites are often a prime place to look for information on computer gear, even very old gear. There are other sites which specialise in collecting information about computer hardware.

Acer
Apple
AST (pre-1999)
AST (1999 and later)
Compaq
Dell
DriverGuide.com
Epson
Hewlett-Packard
IBM
Xerox

2. Used Computer Dealers

The simplest way to re-use a computer is to sell or buy one through a used computer dealer. If you are selling, no matter who buys it, you know that it will end up being re-used somewhere. If you are buying, you can save a significant amount of money compared to buying new. (Plus, of course, no more resources are used in making a computer for you, because it's already made.)

Computer equipment tends to fail within the first 90 days if it is going to fail at all. Once a piece of equipment makes it past the initial "breaking-in" period, it tends to be good for years. Thus, used equipment should not pose a failure risk for some time. Those parts which do go eventually tend to be moving parts (like fans, drive platters, and paper movement mechanisms), or parts which were not properly engineered in the first place (like the hinges holding the screen on a notebook.)

What you do have to watch out for is software licensing. If a used computer comes with software already installed, you need to obtain licence certificates (and preferably installation disks and manuals) in order to prove that you have not pirated the software (and in case you need to re-install it.)

When selling an old computer, you need to gather together the manuals, installation disks, and software licences, or the buyer will have to try to track down software on their own. (This is most critical for the operating system, because there are a fair number of applications available for free, as listed in Appendix B.) It is also a good idea to remove your data and any software which you intend to keep for use on your new computer.

	Appletekk, 1480 Marine Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7P 1T6 Canada. Fax: 1-604-984-2440. Telephone: 1-604-984-2449, 1-866-525-TEKK.
	Cal's Computer Warehouse, 3083 Grandview Highway, Vancouver, BC V5M 2E4 Canada. Telephone: 1-604-437-5551.
	CPUsed, 488 Dupont Street, Toronto, ON V6K1R1 Canada. Fax: 1-416-533-2887. Telephone: 1-416-533-2001.
	The Mac Market, 2710 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6K1R1 Canada. Fax: 1-604-732-8846. Telephone: 1-604-709-6227.
	Low End Mac's list of used Macintosh dealers.

3. Parts, Tools, and Supplies Dealers

Often, manufacturers stop stocking parts for computer equipment past a certain age. Used computer dealers often stock parts from computers which no longer work. (That is, the computer has some problem, but most of the parts are still good.) Another source of parts is specialty parts dealers, or parts liquidators. The former generally buy large stocks of parts from the original manufacturers, and then resell them to computer repair shops. The selection tends to be much better, although the prices may not be particularly good. The latter buy end-of-line goods, or stock held buy companies which are shutting down, and sell them for whatever they get. Prices can be very good, but the selection can be quite random. These links also include vendors selling tools, and supplies such as inkjet or laser printer cartridges, etc.

	Crucial Technology, 3475 East Commercial Court, Meridian, ID 83642 USA. Telephone: 1-800-336-8915, 1-208-363-5790.
	Crucial Technology Canada. Telephone: 1-800-336-8915, 1-208-363-5790.
	Crucial Technology Europe, 12 Redwood Crescent, East Kilbride G74 5PA U.K. Fax: 44-1355-586001. Telephone: 44-1355-586267.
	FreeCartridges.com, 25 East Easy Street, Simi Valley, CA 93065 USA. Fax: 1-805-583-3001. Telephone: 1-805-306-1560.

Statement of Interest: A number of the vendors listed on this site have affiliate programs which provide commissions to web sites which pay commissions to web sites which point customers to their sites, and where those programs exist, I have applied to join them. Thus, in those cases, if you buy a product from one of the vendors listed on this site, I would get a commission.

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[Introduction] [Part II: Receiving Donated Computer Gear] [Part III: Donating Computer Gear]
[Appendix A: Organisations] [Appendix B: Software] [Appendix C: Resources] [Appendix D: Bibliography] [Appendix E: Computer Vendors] [Appendix F: Sample Documents] [Appendix G: Media Links]