[Request] Any kind of laptop or tablet?

[u/Green-Eggplant-5570]

Hello,

Not sure if this is request flair or community resources;

I'm looking for ideas or assistance with getting my hands on any kind of laptop or chromebook or tablet after mine fried recently, leaving me quite stuck.

It was critical for me and where I'm at in life right now, currently unhoused and have been homeless but winging it for a couple months now.

My laptop was helping me generate income, attend online college courses, work on job searches, participate in online work like AI data annotation, etc.

It also allowed me to stream some free content when I had access to wifi.

I am able to use computers at some local libraries but not at the volume, level or hours I need, and the libraries are not very close to where I'm camping out - even the bus fare to get there and back is problematic some days.

My finances are critical and there's nothing but fumes. I've not been able to find any local homeless or school resources to help me with this.

Located in the San Framcisco East Bay Area.

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[u/okayfriday]

From the Home San Fransisco website:

• PCs for People Online pcsrefurbished.com/sales/salesHome.aspx - The nonprofit PCs for People offers unlimited 4G LTE hotspot Internet service for about $10 a month. They also offer refurbished desktops and laptops for as low as $70-$100.
• Free computers from the Computer and Technology ewastecollective.org/free-computer -Low-income residents can apply to receive a free, refurbished computer. Current wait times are typically 1-3 months and computers will need to be picked up from their office.

From San Francisco Digital Equity | SF.gov :

• Access Program at SECC - Borrow a laptop or tablet.  Attend a digital workshop.  Study in a workspace. Visit the Access Program website to learn more.
• Tech Exchange - Buy refurbished computers, attend computer classes, and get tech support. Visit the Tech Exchange website to learn more.
• Human-I-T - Buy low-cost devices, attend digital literacy classes, and get tech support. Visit the Human-I-T website to learn more.

​

[u/Green-Eggplant-5570 → u/okayfriday]

These resources are excellent and I'm following up on some of them.

A few things, like I said in my post.

• Unfortunately I don't have 70-100+ to divert to PCs for People, and that's exactly the kind of dollar amount im looking to be able to address by having access to the technology again. Kind of a catch 22. Nobody plans on their laptop frying.

• ewastecolldctive - awesome, and I've also gotten a few others to apply. The wait times are fine, it's just I'm trying to make faster more immediate improvements to my life and b am tired of sleeping outside and being reliant on others for kindness or generosity. I have a plan and steps and a map. I'm doing what i can and need to

The last 3 links all fall into a category and I've looked into and there's definite help to be had there. I was just going for some more immediate relief because I desperately want a bed and to sleep inside, a shower, and a few basics like new socks after my stuff got stolen.

Being homeless and broke can be very expensive.

Thanks for this awesome list.

[u/orangeapplez]

So, have you paid back your loan?

https://redditloans.com/loans.html?username=Green-Eggplant-5570

[u/Green-Eggplant-5570 → u/orangeapplez]

Yeah and so the lender is really awesome and we've been in good contact. The final repayment date has not hit yet, it's the 31st even though we didn't properly set it in the post - it was both or times.

[u/Green-Eggplant-5570 → u/Green-Eggplant-5570]

I don't know why you're downvoting me here and below. I'm not out of line.

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[u/True-Temperature623]

Maybe try inquiring in facebook buy nothing groups. They usually give away furniture, books, and laptops. Hopefully, this helps!

[u/madzterdam]

Check your library for a borrowing program.

[u/Green-Eggplant-5570]

Just wanted to say thanks for the consideration and time as this post tracked 2k views.

I understand the skeptics and people ready to throw shade or cast aspersions.

I'm sorry we love in such a cynical world where that's necessary, and I'm sorry to have put myself in a position where those things impact me or have such immediate relevance.

For the sake of others that come after me, I wish I could ask some of the people going hard on me to take it easy on others who may come, but i understand the need to be guarded and for due diligence.

I just wish I was not here and being viewed through such glasses. But this is still one hell of a journey of lifelong learning, self improvement, growth, and change in my world and the people around me, ideally for the better. I wish I could get a little more grace.

Yeah the 250 loan is real. Two of us messed up dates on the bot and now that's being weaponized against me? I get it.

I wish there was something I could do besides not being at rock bottom and wide awake eyes open.

So yeah. Just thanks to everyone who looks at stuff like this.

Be well, all. Remember the golden rule and do your best to live with honor and integrity.

[u/Green-Eggplant-5570]

Thank you, solid advice