Where can I buy cheap, used laptops in BKK? (for orphanages)

[simon43]

Can anyone suggest a shop in BKK where I can buy cheap laptops that are working (from a hardware POV)? It is not a problem if the O/S is screwed up or lacking - I can re-install and configure this myself.

To explain further:

I live in Myanmar, and apart from my professional teaching job, I also donate English language resources to orphanages and monastic schools, which do not have the funds to provide these for themselves. I concentrate on helping the young students to improve their listening and speaking skills, because those are the most important skills for getting a job.

The number of orphanages 'under my care' keeps expanding, and is now more than 10 and more than 2,000 young students.

Some of these orphanages have laptop computers that generous charities have donated. But in every such case, the laptops did not have any software to practice English. So I wrote an application to do that and have installed it on these laptops.

Some of the orphanages have no computers at all :( If they had such items, and if these were pre-installed with my software (and other related software), then it would help the children a great deal to improve not only their English language knowledge, but knowledge of Maths and Science etc.

Well, I am not rich (thanks to my ex-wives LoL). I already spend 10% of my school salary each month on buying these resources for the orphanages, (I can't spend more because I need to save money for my retirement - no UK pension to speak of).

So it struck me as a good idea if I could buy some reliable, used, cheap laptops in BKK, sort out the software on them, and donate them to the orphanages. Ongoing maintenance and upgrades are not a problem, because I visit each orphanage every month.

Sure, I can wander round Pantip to look for used laptops. But my visits to BKK are very limited in time. I will go to BKK in a few weeks, and want to 'wham bam, thank-you' and walk away with perhaps 6 laptops, hopefully of the same make and model.

Any suggestions of a shop in BKK which stocks more than the odd used laptop is much appreciated!

[Crossy]

I suggest a ride out to Zeer Rangsit (just past DMK airport).

 

Lots of places doing used PCs (lappies and desktops) on the higher floors. Prices are not, on the whole "cheap", but are open to negotiation if looking for several. Note that desktop machines are far more prevalent on the used market, lappies often have had a hard life.

 

Do you have any contacts in BKK who could do a preliminary recce? It's a big place and easy to waste loads of time.

 

What sort of spec. are you seeking? Budget?

[simon43]

Hi Crossy - thanks for your reply.

Desktops are fine, although I have the problem of taking 6 or so back on the plane to Naypyidaw, and then transporting them on my dirt-bike across the Shan hills to the orphanages...

My budget is cheap! (Because it is my own money), and I don't have a lot of that, and there are many schools and orphanages that really need at least 1 PC or laptop.

Spec is very low-end. The ability to run simple windows apps with sound output - wifi support if possible. I will install Open Office and my own English apps and then free Maths/science apps...

[Crossy]

OK so an i3 or even a Core2-duo processor.

 

They invariably come with a hooky copy of Windows

[jenny2017]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

Hi Crossy - thanks for your reply.

Desktops are fine, although I have the problem of taking 6 or so back on the plane to Naypyidaw, and then transporting them on my dirt-bike across the Shan hills to the orphanages...

My budget is cheap! (Because it is my own money), and I don't have a lot of that, and there are many schools and orphanages that really need at least 1 PC or laptop.

Spec is very low-end. The ability to run simple windows apps with sound output - wifi support if possible. I will install Open Office and my own English apps and then free Maths/science apps...

I can give you a lot of software, MS office 2007 is only one of them,  But I've also got some hardware parts that I don't need anymore. 

 

 P.S. Plus some English teaching applications, and math Resources Studio 3. a superb program to create maths worksheets in a sec. 

Edited January 1, 2018 by jenny2017

[simon43]

@Crossy - that spec is fine.

I thought most users of Windows O/S in Thailand had fake copies! So long as it keeps on working, I'm sure Bill won't miss the few $.

@Jenny2017, thanks for your kind offer. I have a decent 'suite' of primary English learning applications. I am on the look out for free primary maths and science apps.

[jenny2017]

20 minutes ago, simon43 said:

@Crossy - that spec is fine.

I thought most users of Windows O/S in Thailand had fake copies! So long as it keeps on working, I'm sure Bill won't miss the few $.

@Jenny2017, thanks for your kind offer. I have a decent 'suite' of primary English learning applications. I am on the look out for free primary maths and science apps.

You're welcome, Simon. This program is great to create worksheets for all levels of maths in seconds, plus answer sheets. 

[Crossy]

An off topic post has been removed.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

Simon, fortune mall has a lot of shops selling used laptops.

[oldcarguy]

while watching  Japan NHK there seem to be many Japanese NGOs working in Myanmar , 

 

In the long term it might help to contact them and see if they can help

I am sure there are millions of used Laptops in Japan  and the NGOs probably have the contacts to get them for free and even shipped.  if they were from one company they would all be the same models if you need to cannibalize them for parts later.

 

As far as BKK , do you have a Thai that could put something up on Pantip.com for you ?   Or one of the Facebook for sale pages ?

 

wish you well , you are doing a good thing....

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kingstonkid]

OP

 

I live in Rangsit and agree that ZEER may have your answers.  Again there are more selling used computers but laptops are also available in smaller numbers.  Many of the shops would also probably be willing to negotiate a lower price if you can show them what they are for.  Unfortunately, talk is cheap and video or paper is more worthwhile.

[gjoo888]

15 hours ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

Simon, fortune mall has a lot of shops selling used laptops.

I think you meant Fortune Town mall on Ratchadaphisik, but there certainly are shops that sell used laptops and desktops there.

[wirat69]

17 hours ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

Simon, fortune mall has a lot of shops selling used laptops.

last time I was at Fortune Mall (about 6 months ago) many of the used laptop shops had gone .... perhaps you could tell us which level now has the used laptop shops .... ????

[Bangkok Barry]

I haven't been to Pantip Plaza for quite a while and believe there have been changes there. But there were a few places at the back that sold older machines with low specs. Perhaps someone can tel me if PP still operates as before, or at all.

[atyclb]

24 minutes ago, wirat69 said:

last time I was at Fortune Mall (about 6 months ago) many of the used laptop shops had gone .... perhaps you could tell us which level now has the used laptop shops .... ????

 

 

true. the one known used shop that had lots of used laptops is gone.  check pantip plaza as they may have a branch there.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

1 hour ago, wirat69 said:

last time I was at Fortune Mall (about 6 months ago) many of the used laptop shops had gone .... perhaps you could tell us which level now has the used laptop shops .... ????

 

I don't frequent that place anymore, so perhaps you are correct,

[khunken]

I have also seen old reconditioned notebooks in the IT areas of both Seacon Square & Paradise Park. The are cheap compared to new notebooks but are in the B3000 range.

 

I'd also suggest a free add on Thaivisa & the Bangkok Post where something cheaper may well come up.

[Thaidaddy]

Go to the various Chambers of Commerce (auscham; amcham; etc) and ask them to put out a flyer for you to their member firms.

 

All would be willing to help I am sure

[xerostar]

I was at Pantip Plaza in Bang Kapi today at a laptop repair centre - had dozens of used laptops. They were on 2nd floor. Ground floor being 1st floor in Thailand.

Sent from my SM-N915F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[tryasimight]

Contact Rotary perhaps? This is the sort of thing they seem to get involved with and have branches all over the world.

I know it sounds a little crazy but why not send Bill G an email - he and his wife are well known philanthropists - you never know your luck. If nothing happens well you've only wasted a couple of minutes.

Possibly ask any of the bigger companies in Myanmar (I'm thinking oil and gas), they will no doubt have a way of disposing of old pc's and may be willing to donate to a worthy cause instead of passing them on to a recycler. Many also have a CSR programme which this might slot into.

The company I work for allowed us to bring some taken out of service laptops from Australia for use in Myanmar.

[henry15]

In Zeer Rangsit there are dozens of shops who sell used Desktops and laptops.