On 01/08/2012 14:34, Bill wrote:
Someone has sent me this question

"Do you have any sources who could source 25 very simple
reconditioned heavy laptops which could run from a wireless network and
run only word, excel and powerpoint?"

I assume he wants the machines to come with the Microsoft applications
and licences, and I assume the "heavy" is to make walking more difficult.

Would whatever deal Morgan has on refurbed laptops coupled with Office
compatible freeware do the job. Does it have to have full VBA support
and exact Microsoft Office functional compatibility or will almost do?

You should budget for AV software too or at least have something pretty
good running since this sort of setup attracts malware like moths to a
flame. Visitors try dodgy sites and software they wouldn't risk at home
(unless you disable all install execute privileges very carefully).

USB memory sticks are potentially dangerous vectors these days.

If it is for a charity or other good cause try scrounging from one of
your local large corporate IT places (preferably through personal
contacts), but AIUI due to the new WEE regulations they are no longer
able to make such donations (or so I was told by one of the sources I
used to get stuff from for charity work).

Has anyone any recommendations or other suggestions? I think it's
probably for a school or youth association.

You can make laptops arbitrarily heavy by adding a steel wire shaped
around the hinge with brazed loops on. A plastic coated steel hawser
then passed through each one on the bench and an immovable object. It
won't stop a determined thief but it will stop them casually going
walkies without boltcutter or hacksaw.

It isn't pretty but a lot cheaper than the official security devices.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown