Computers for People in Need

Donation Hours:
Monday-Friday 9am-1pm
Appointment Hours:
Monday-Friday 10am-3pm

Offered Products

Offered devices

Laptop with blue screen

LAPTOPS

We have a variety of different laptops for different use cases. Laptops are helpful when you might not have the space for a desktop PC or you need a powerful device on the go!
(reword)

DESKTOPS

We also have a variety of different desktops for different use cases. Desktops can offer a centralized space for you to work and sometimes have a more powerful system than a laptop. These do have more power draw and are often recommended if you already have a laptop. (reword)

First, a disclaimer: C4PIN does not provide ‘free’ machines to clients. We sell very low cost renovated computers of various configurations to our eligible clients. All computers come with a limited C4PIN warranty.

ChromeOS Flex

ChromeOS Flex is an alternative operating system that lets you run ChromeOS on outdated computers, whether Mac, Dell, or any other system. Built on Chromium OS, it offers a lightweight and secure browsing experience through the Chrome browser. While it doesn’t support third-party applications, this creates a safer environment, mostly free from viruses. Users can still access popular web apps like Gmail and Microsoft Office, making it a practical choice for those who primarily use browsers.

 

Laptop – Typically an older laptop with Google’s ChromeOS-Flex operating system installed. These provide web access for browsing and email and some other applications. Includes a C4PIN six (6) month limited warranty. – $50

Desktop – Typically a Dell Micro or Small Form Factor case desktop, or an All-in-One desktop with the ChromeOS-Flex operating system installed. These provide web access for browsing, email and some other applications. Includes a C4PIN six (6) month limited warranty. – $25

Linux Mint

     Our most offered machines, Mint is a open source operating system, meaning all of the documentation is available for the public and maintained by community members verified by the software managers. Based on Debian and Ubuntu, Linux Mint offers approximately 30,000 software packages and features one of the best package managers available. It is safe and reliable due to its conservative approach to software updates, a unique Update Manager, and a robust Linux architecture. Additionally, Linux Mint requires minimal maintenance, eliminating the need for regression fixes, antivirus programs, and anti-spyware.

 

Laptop – Usually of either Dell or Lenovo manufacture, with Linux-Mint operating system installed. These may have either a fast boot solid state drive or higher capacity hard disk drive, with minimum 16 gigabytes of system memory. Mint allows easy installation of other free Linux software applications. Includes a C4PIN six (6) month limited warranty. – $100

Desktop – Typically a Dell Micro or Small Form Factor case desktop with the Mint operating system. This will have a fast boot system solid state drive and a storage hard disk drive, with minimum 16 gigabytes of system memory. Mint allows easy installation of a wide range of other free Linux software applications. Includes a C4PIN six (6) month limited warranty. – $50

 Windows 11

    Most people have used a Windows machine at least once in their lives. With Windows 10 soon to be unsupported, we only offer Windows 11. This new operating system has significantly higher system requirements compared to previous versions, which Microsoft claims are necessary for enhanced security. To run Windows 11, devices must support features such as UEFI, Secure Boot, and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Additionally, official support is limited to devices equipped with at least an eighth-generation Intel Core processor or a second-generation AMD Ryzen processor.

 

Laptop – A higher end Dell, Lenovo or Microsoft laptop, running Windows 11. It will have a fast boot solid state drive or higher capacity hard disk drive, with minimum 16 gigabytes of system memory. Includes a C4PIN six (6) month limited warranty. – $200

Desktop – Typically a higher end Dell Micro Form Factor, Small Form Factor, or Mini-Tower running Microsoft’s Windows 11 Pro operating system that will be supported by Microsoft operating system updates until ~2030. A C4PIN Top-level desktop will have a fast boot system solid state drive and a storage hard disk drive, with minimum 16 gigabytes of system memory. Includes a C4PIN six (6) month limited warranty. – $150

 Operating System of YOUR CHOICE!

   Some clients have an idea of a system that they would like to have, and this provides them with the opportunity to get parts from C4PIN that would otherwise be recycled! With each special order, we take pride in setting our clients up for success for their use case. If you need a system that can run photo editing, music production, or gaming. 

 

Laptop – If you have highly specialized needs for school or vocational requirements, talk to our intake staff. We may be able to design a machine to meet your specific needs at a reasonable cost. Includes a C4PIN six (6) month limited warranty.  $250+

Desktop – A specialized needs workstation significant C4PIN staff configuration. A C4PIN ‘Special’ Desktop will typically have a high capacity fast boot system drive, a separate data drive(s), higher system memory, likely a discrete graphics card, and a higher resolution and/or larger monitor. Software configuration will vary. Includes a C4PIN six (6) month limited warranty. $250+

To apply for a computer, in addition to reading this page, please read the "Do I Qualify?" section of the Home page if you haven't already, then click the link to our application below.

What's Included?

All configurations come preconfigured with Firefox for web browsing, an email client, LibreOffice (a freeware version of Microsoft Office), a media player, and the Zoom Client for video teleconferencing. All desktops come with monitor, keyboard, and mouse. 

C4PIN Service & Training

C4PIN does not provide computer repair service or support at this time. Upon request, C4PIN will provide referral(s) to reputable computer/tech service companies in the local Bellingham area.

C4PIN can provide limited introductory training to a C4PIN client upon purchase and pickup of a C4PIN machine. This training must be scheduled and will incur a minimum charge of $25 for the first hour of training, and $25/hr thereafter. C4PIN staff have sole discretion regarding the scheduling and availability of this client training. C4PIN does not provide training to the general public at this time.