Refurbished computer deals at Kramden Institute's surplus sale

DURHAM (WTVD) -- Once a month, the non-profit Kramden Institute opens its doors for a refurbished computer surplus sale, and the deals are big.

"They're about half of what you would pay retail for a new machine," explained Production Coordinator, Rocky Carr.

"They've all been tested by me," Carr said. "And, we have the latest operating systems installed on all of them," he said.

"These are actually running Windows 10 or the latest version of OS 10," Carr said.

And you can't beat the prices.

"Generally, price ranges, you can get a laptop for $140 dollars and they go up to $300. Desktops as low as $70 or up to $400, for a high end gaming system," he said.

The surplus sale is a small portion of what the Kramden Institute does.

"We're a statewide non-profit," explained Executive Director Michael Abensour. "Our mission is to provide training, tools, and technology to bridge digital divide.".

The majority of the donated computers are given by companies, but individuals also donate. Since 2003, Kramden Institute has given away 23,000 computers to people across the state who need them - from students to adults.

"If they're a student who does not have access to a working home computer, and they're in grades 3-12, all they have to do is tell their teacher and they can go to kramden.org and nominate that student directly either electronically or through a fax," Abensour explained. "Typically, within 4-6 weeks they'll get a computer from us."

The money raised from the monthly surplus sale goes back into funding programs at Kramden Institute which also includes many free classes teaching basic computer skills to video game development.

The January Surplus Sale is set for Thursday, January 14 from 4pm-6pm at:

Kramden Institute

4915 Prospectus Drive, Suite J

Durham, NC 27713

(919) 293-1133