by AGParts Education | Chromebooks, Education Technology, Warranty
Choosing the right Chromebook Parts supplier can be a difficult task for any school district. AGParts Education offers comprehensive solutions for schools’ 1:1 device initiatives.
While budget is typically the chief constraint for most schools, remember that cheapest doesn’t necessarily mean lowest lifetime cost. There can be hidden fees in shipping and handling chargers, warranty, or restocking fees. Worse, the parts could be substandard or generic, which means they could fail quickly and pose a serious safety risk to your staff and students.
How can you ensure your choosing the right vendor? Have no fear—we are here to help. Today, we’re breaking down what you look for when choosing a Chromebook Parts supplier.
Quality Parts
Naturally, the first place to start with a Chromebook parts supplier is the actual parts. Parts should be OEM original or equivalent and pass rigorous inspection prior to being sold. All AC adapters should be UL certified.
AGParts Education only supplies OEM original new or equivalent Chromebook parts and UL-certified AC adapters. We are an authorized reseller for most major Chromebook brands including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. Additionally, all parts go through a rigorous three-point inspection. If a part fails any part of the inspection for any reason, we don’t sell it.
Availability of Parts
It’s great if a supplier offers a quality product but means nothing if they can’t deliver the goods. This is where an in-house inventory and global resources come into play. A large inventory increases the likelihood that your district can receive the parts you need quickly. Global resources, that can really only be developed by supplies with time, means that if they don’t have the parts, they can get the parts quicker than most.
AGParts Education has 350,000+ Chromebook parts in stock. If we don’t have the part or quantity you need, we’ll use our global resources to make sure you get the part as quickly as possible.
Warranty & Return Policy
This is what we refer to as the “fine print.” You know that supplier that quoted your school an amazing price on those chargers you need tomorrow? Well, make sure you read or ask about their warranty and return policy.
This is where amazing deals translate into money pits. If the part isn’t covered under warranty or the supplier charges a restocking fee if you don’t use the part, it’s not a great a deal as it will increase the lifetime cost of the part. Here are a couple other things to keep in mind:
- If a supplier is dramatically lower in price than other vendors, there’s usually a reason. Double check your quote and their terms.
- If a supplier doesn’t offer a warranty, or offers a short-term warranty, that says something about the quality of their parts. You want a supplier that will stand behind the quality of their product by offering a warranty.
AGParts Education has the best warranty in the industry. We offer:
- Limited Lifetime Warranty on all other products against manufacture defect
- One-year warranty on chargers, batteries, and motherboards against defect
- 90-day warranty on motherboard repairs
In addition to our warranties, you can also return functional parts that are the wrong part within 60 days. Realize your school doesn’t need the part? That’s okay, too. You can return those parts within 120 days. Since we consider you our partner, we never charge restocking fees.
Years of Experience & Reputation
Real talk: 1:1 device initiatives have not been around for 50 years. They’re relatively new, which makes finding a supplier more difficult because most don’t have the years of experience to prove they have what it takes. Check vendor websites to see how long they’ve been in business, how many schools they work with, and what the schools are saying in testimonials.
We’ve been in the classroom since 1:1 initiatives were introduced. Plus, we have 20 years of experience in the mobile device industry and partner with over 6,000 US schools.
Shipping & Handling
It seems so simple, but does your vendor offer free shipping? Do orders ship same day? Again, it’s wonderful if a vendor comes in with a reasonable price, but if shipping is not included or if you have to wait weeks, or months, for your parts, keep looking for another supplier.
AGParts Education offers free shipping on all orders, with 98% of orders shipping same day. Not only that, but shipping is free if you need to return parts.
ISO & R2 Certifications
While it you may not think this applies directly to supplying parts, certain ISO and R2 certifications ensure that vendors are following standards for safety, quality, and recycling, while being environmentally responsible.
AGParts Education holds the following certifications:
- ISO 9001, the quality standard
- ISO 14001, the environmental management standard
- ISO 45001, the occupational health and safety standard
- R2 ensures responsible electronic recycling practices, including secure data erasure
Other Services
Having all your eggs in one basket can really pay off in the long run. Does your Chromebook Parts supplier offer any other services?
Save yourself the time and stress of having to use multiple vendors for multiple services. AGParts Education wants to be the only partner your school will ever need for your ed tech program. That’s why we offer comprehensive solutions for 1:1 device initiatives, including buyback, motherboard exchange and repair, reclaimed parts, and refurbished whole units, as well as a full line of COVID-19 safety supplies.
Ready to get started? Find out how AGParts can help your district today. Contact us today!
by AGParts Education | Chromebooks, Cleaning & Sanitizing, Education Technology, Mobile Device Care
Cleaning your school’s Chromebooks can be a task when you aren’t sure how, when, or what to use when you clean them. Can bleach wipes be used? What about baby wipes? Soap and water? Steel wool? We’re just kidding about the last one, but what is the most effective way to clean your district’s devices? Enter the electronic wipe. It’s billed as an effective and safe solution to clean electronics, but is it worth the hype or just a shameless money maker?
Real talk: Electronics are expensive. Our devices are covered with dirt, grease, grime, fingerprints, and germs. This includes the Chromebooks used in your district. Regular cleansing of electronics is especially important today with the current public health crisis and global pandemic. We need to use something that is effective but won’t harm our devices.
Let me tell you a personal story. Once upon a time, I used a baby wipe to clean the screen of my MacBook Pro. I thought it would be an easy and effective way for me to free my screen of dust and residue. No big deal, right? Wrong! This was a decision I deeply regretted. My screen was never the same again. The wipe left an irremovable residue on my screen. Frankly, it made the screen look unappealing at best and plain gross at worst.
Don’t make the same mistake I did—don’t try using another cleaner expecting your device to be cleaned and retain its luster. Electronic wipes are worth the investment and are specially formulated to trap dust, remove residue, and safely disinfect your devices. They are especially important to use during the repair process.
What Are Electronic Wipes?
Electronic wipes are disposable, premoistened, soft wipes that are safe to use on Chromebooks, laptops, screens, trackpads, phones, and other electronics, components, and accessories. They are specifically designed to be used for your electronics.
Other wipes and cleaners don’t have the correct chemical formula needed to kill germs and viruses on your electronics without damaging them. They simply aren’t sanitizing your devices correctly. As I experienced firsthand, other cleaners can leave an unwanted and potentially damaging reside on your devices.
Our Mobile Device Sanitizing wipes are electronic wipes made from a 70% non-irritating isopropyl alcohol solution that can safely and effectively clean all your electronics.
When Should I Use Electronic Wipes?
Electronic wipes should be used after every interaction with your K-12 devices, but there are two specific interactions when you should be using electronic wipes for your school’s devices.
Regular Cleansing and Disinfecting
Every time you need to cleanse, disinfect, or repair your Chromebook, you should be using electronic wipes to wipe down the devices and associated accessories.
Cleansing and disinfecting devices are particularly critical now as diligent measures and restrictions are in place to stop the spread of COVID19. Devices should be cleansed regularly or anytime they switch between users. Be sure to consult CDC guidelines and your school districts’ health and safety guidelines for cleaning frequency.
Repairs
Using electronic wipes during the repair process is especially critical. Electronic wipes should be used to wipe down devices before and after the repair process. Many school districts perform their own Chromebook repairs. This means they don’t have access to cleanrooms, which are controlled environments to keep out air contaminants. Electronic wipes will help remove contaminates and trap dust, both of which could affect the functionality of your devices.
So, do yourself a favor, save the bleach wipes for the counter and invest in our electronic wipes. We’re sure you’ll love them.
Ensuring the health and safety of your teachers and students is our number one priority. Find out why over 6,000 school districts nationwide trust AGParts Education for their 1:1 Chromebook initiatives. Contact us today for more information!
by AGParts Education | Chromebooks, Education Technology
Chromebooks are a popular choice for businesses and schools alike. In 2020, Chromebook popularity surged in the education industry as remote and hybrid learning dominated. But what is a Chromebook? What makes it different from a laptop or notebook? Today, we’ll answer those questions.
Note: We updated this blog in March 2021 and have moved Pros and Cons of a Chromebook.
What is a Chromebook?
First introduced in June 2011, a Chromebook is a type of laptop that uses the Linux-based Chrome OS as its operating system. Chromebooks are specifically designed to use the Google Chrome browser and most activities occur online. This includes word processing, creating spreadsheets and slideshows, notetaking, etc. These docs are automatically saved to cloud storage via Google Drive. Chromebooks have limited internal storage and rely on cloud-based storage for most applications and data.
Chromebook Versus Traditional Laptops
Although a Chromebook is a type of laptop, chances are it’s not the first thing you think of when you hear the word laptop. Chromebooks are lightweight, efficient, and low maintenance. How do they compare to traditional laptops like a Windows laptop or MacBook?
Here are the key differences:
Operating System
The operating system is one of the biggest differences between a Chromebook traditional laptop Chromebooks run ChromeOS, while Windows laptops run Windows OS and MacBooks use macOS.
The functionality of these systems is starkly different. Chrome OS relies heavily on the internet, with most applications hosted online. Other operating systems host various software and applications online and offline.
Due to its reliance on the internet, working offline is more limited. It’s still possible but requires planning and enabling offline settings.
Light in Hardware & Software
One of these reasons why Chromebooks are so lightweight is because they use less components and parts in their construction. Additionally, they have no actual software. Everything happens in Google Chrome through online applications.
This is very different from a Windows laptop or MacBook. One of the biggest benefits of this difference though is the maintenance. Because there are fewer moving parts, there’s less a chance that something will need repaired. The lack of software means no need to worry about installation or updates.
Storage
Although both Microsoft (OneDrive) and Apple (iCloud) have implemented cloud-based storage, Chromebooks thrive under a cloud storage system (Google Drive). Unlike their counterparts, Chromebooks have limited local storage, meaning you can’t save a surplus of files locally, i.e., to your actual device. This makes Chromebooks efficient and easy to share. Users only need to sign into their Google Account for a personal computing experience.
Less Vulnerable to Viruses
Since most work is cloud based and there is no actual software, Chromebooks are less prone to viruses. Similar to macOS, but unlike Windows OS, Chrome OS comes with built-in virus protection and receives regular security patches via Google auto updates. Due to this integrated protection and updates, some could argue this makes Chromebooks far more secure than a Windows laptop.
Google Workspace
Another key difference—Microsoft Office Versus Google Workspace. Whether you own a Windows laptop or MacBook, chances are you use Microsoft 365 as your office suite. Chromebooks offer the analogue to this in Google Workspace. It hosts equivalent apps to each Microsoft app.
While Google Workspace’s apps are considered equivalent, there is still a learning curve especially if you’re a lifelong Windows 365 user. This could be the most limiting factor for Chromebooks; however, online versions of Microsoft 365 are available for free.
Auto Update Expiration
This is a feature unique to Chromebooks—auto update expiration (AUE). Formerly EOL, AUE is the date when Google will stop providing automatic updates and security patches to your device. This doesn’t mean that your Chromebook stops working. It only means that Google will no longer support the device. Generally, this date is anywhere from six to eight-and-a-half years from the manufacture date. Additionally, Google has been known to extend AUEs.
Price Tag & Lifetime Cost
Possibly the most attractive feature about the Chromebook: low price tag and low cost of ownership. While you most certainly can find a Chromebook that carries a lofty price tag, this is not the norm. You can easily purchase a device for less than $300. Beyond that, due to less hardware and no software, these are extremely easy devices to maintain which translates to low cost of ownership.
AGParts Education supports 6,000+ innovative 1:1 school districts in Chromebook parts supply and technology buyback. Contact us today to see how we can help your school.
by AGParts Education | Chromebooks, Education Technology, Laptops, Notebooks
For 1:1 education technology initiatives, it’s important to understand your options when it comes to mobile devices. Chromebooks are a popular choice for many education technology programs. With so many industry terms flying around and sometimes used interchangeably, it can cause your head to spin making it difficult to choose the right device for your ed tech program. We’re breaking down the foundational and influential history of the laptop, and ins and outs of each type of device.
What is a Laptop?
In the simplest terms, a laptop is a portable computer. It was created as the compact and portable version of a desktop computer.
The History of the Laptop
All roads lead to the laptop. Arriving on the scene in 1981, the Osborne 1, of Osborne Computer Corp., is widely regarded as the first laptop. It’s a far cry from the sleek and light laptops we see today. Weighing in at a hefty 24 pounds with a price tag north of $1,500, the Osborne 1 featured a 5” screen, two floppy drives, and bundled software. Introduced as an ideal office solution for business execs on the move, this model never saw any type of real success.
Fortunately, though, Osborne Computer Corp. was not the only computer company with an interest in the advent of the portable computer. Epson, Microsoft partnered with Radioshack, and IBM all released laptop computers by the mid 1980s. Microsoft was the first to feature a laptop with an LCD display.
Various computer powerhouses continued to introduce new laptops and integrated technologies in the late 1980s into the 1990s. Most notably:
- Compaq released their version of the laptop in 1988
- Apple released the first portable Macintosh in 1989
- Microsoft released mouse and trackball technology for laptops in 1991
- IBM released the first ThinkPad in 1992
In 2008, laptops eclipsed desktops in sales for the first time. This trend has continued since, with laptops consistently outselling desktop models yearly. Today, laptops are still very popular despite decreased net sales for personal computers. This decrease is due in part to the increased popularity of smartphones. Although net sales have decreased since 2012, laptops are on the uptrend, with laptop sales increasing since 2016. In 2019, 166 million laptops were sold worldwide.
Traditionally, laptops use the Windows or Apple operating systems and support Microsoft Office applications.
What is a Notebook?
A notebook computer, which is typically a smaller, slimmer, and lighter laptop, was first introduced in the late 1980s by NEC. It was a similar in size to a laptop but weighed in at mere five pounds. By the early 1990s, Compaq and Apple had both released versions of the notebook as well.
Generally, notebooks are less expensive than laptops, ranging in price from $150 to $400.
A type of notebook, the ultrabook, was first introduced in 2011 as Intel’s answer to Apple’s thin and light MacBook. They are a high-end notebook that use low-power Intel Core processors, solid-state drives, and unibody chassis to create an ultra-light computer without sacrificing battery life.
Traditionally, notebooks use the Windows or Apple operating systems and support Microsoft Office applications.
What is a Chromebook?
First introduced in June 2011, a Chromebook is a type of laptop that uses the Linux-based Chrome OS as its operating system. Chromebooks are specifically designed to use the Google Chrome browser and most activities occur online via Chrome. This includes word processing, creating spreadsheets and slideshows, note taking, etc. These docs are automatically saved to cloud storage via Google Drive.
One of the biggest differences between a laptop and Chromebook is security. There is no need to purchase virus protection because it is built into the Chrome OS. This built-in protection is regularly updated via the Chrome OS’ auto updates. This makes Chromebooks nearly impervious to viruses and malware.
Closely related to this is the Auto Update Expiration (UAE, formerly known as EOL). This is the date that the Chrome OS will no longer support regular auto updates for software and security patches, as well as technical support. The Chromebook will still be functional, but it would be risky to use the device past this date.
Don’t let this deter you—AUE allows Google to focus on providing the best and most secure updates for the newest and most recent hardware. Additionally, AUE date far outweighs the average shelf life of four to five years for a traditional laptop. In fact, AUE gives Chromebooks a shelf life of six-and-a-half years to eight-and-a-half years from the date of launch.
Another difference between a laptop or notebook versus a Chromebook was storage. Chromebooks rely on cloud-based storage for most applications and data, as opposed to internal storage on the machine itself. However, cloud storage is common for any laptop today, whether it’s powered by Microsoft (OneDrive) or Apple (iCloud) operating systems. Various cloud storage platforms, like Dropbox and Google Drive, can also be used for older laptops where cloud storage is not as common.
Chromebooks are a popular choice for ed tech program because they are affordable, fast, secure, require little maintenance, and collaborative. Whatever device you may be considering for your school, AGParts Education can help. Our dedicated team of Account Executives have the knowledge and expertise to help you build the right education technology program for your school. Contact us today for more information on devices for 1:1 education technology initiatives.
by AGParts Education | Buyback, Chromebooks, Education Technology
AGParts Education offers a comprehensive tech buyback program for your used Chromebooks or notebooks. Our expertise and global resources allow us to pay you more for your used devices.
We’ve designed these programs with you in mind. Selling your used fleet of devices shouldn’t be a difficult and timely process. We aim to make it as easy as possible to sell used devices with benefits like pre-paid shipping labels, free boxes and packing supplies, and top-dollar payout. We even offer White Glove Pickup Service on qualifying orders.
Not only is our process hassle free, it is also secure, safe, and sustainable. We operate under the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines to ensure your student data is protected. We issue data privacy certificates upon completion. Our ISO 14001, 45001, and SERI R2 certifications ensure that all electronic devices are reused and recycled in a way that promotes resource preservation, sustainability, and the health and safety of our employees and communities.
We also offer two payment options for your used devices—cash or credit. The credit option credits your account and can be redeemed for future purchase. This allows your district to keep those buyback funds within your technology budget and prevents them from being absorbed into the general budget. We also offer a 10% bonus when you choose an account credit.
Here’s an overview of the buyback process:
- Request a quote: We’ll provide you with a formal quote within 48 hours.
- Sign quote: Sign and accept the device buyback quote.
- Device Retrieval: We’ll coordinate device pick-up or shipping with you.
- In-House Grading Audit: Your devices will go through a detailed inspection and audit process, which takes approximately 30 days. There are no deductions for missing accessories or engravings.
- Payment: A electronic statement providing final grades and payment, in cash or credit, will be sent to you. Your payment will be issued within 45 days of your audit.
Whether your district is refreshing devices, or they’re at the end of their useful lifecycle, we’ll purchase your devices providing you with cash or credit for our other solutions. Our Device Buyback Programs are the easiest and most lucrative way for you to recoup the highest value for your used devices.
To request a quote for your used devices, click here.
AGParts Education is a dedicated initiative of AGParts created to deliver high-quality support to schools across the United States for their Chromebook 1:1 Program and notebook computers. We’d love to help you develop your education technology program. Contact us today for more information!
