For many Detroit families, the start of the school year brings one big question: Does my child have the technology they need to keep up?
Computers are as essential as notebooks and pencils, but not every household has one. Add to that the roughly 13% of Detroit households without an internet subscription according to the latest census data, and thousands of students enter the school year disadvantaged.
Whether you’re a parent trying to set up your child for success, a student juggling assignments or an adult who needs reliable access to apply for jobs or complete training, read on for the places in Detroit with free or low-cost laptops, tech support and repairs.
Free laptop access
Detroit Public Schools Community District provides tablets for students in prekindergarten through second grade and laptops for those in third through 12th grade. This includes students enrolled through the district’s Virtual School.
They are allowed to take the devices home to complete homework and other assignments, though the process depends on their school.
Each device comes with a charger and warranty. If a device is damaged, the district will replace it at no cost to families, said Chrystal Wilson, the district’s assistant superintendent of communications. Tablets can be replaced twice, while laptops can only be replaced once. Students are required to return the devices at the end of each school year. Parents of homeschooled students should schedule an appointment to pick up laptops.
Adults with a Detroit Public Library card can borrow a laptop for up to 60 days, with the option to renew once if there’s no waitlist. Each laptop comes with Microsoft Office, a camera, microphone and speakers. You’ll also get a USB flash drive to keep.
The program is free, but there’s a $500 fee if the laptop is lost or damaged. You can reserve by calling 313-481-1400 or visiting a library branch.
Low-cost options
Human-I-T is an organization that offers low-cost laptops, internet plans and repairs. The cheapest laptop is priced at $129.99, but you can qualify for more discounts through the nonprofit’s free membership program. You can join if your annual income is under 200% of the federal poverty level or you use a government assistance program like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Members can also get digital literacy training and tech support, as well as mobile hotspot internet service for $14.99 a month.
Repairs
Having access to laptops and computers is one thing, but knowing where to go if they break is another. All About Technology, a locally owned repair shop in Southwest Detroit at 6450 Michigan Ave., offers affordable repairs, and will even pick your device up from your home!
Up and Running PC’s, located at 11000 W. McNichols Road, Suite 102, fixes laptops for $50 plus the cost of the parts. They also buy old devices (no older than five years) and have a few refurbished laptops in stock, complete with a 30-day warranty.
You can visit an Apple store to fix its products, but repair costs can be steep without insurance. The closest one (until the company opens its downtown store) is at the Somerset Collection mall in Troy.
If you’re feeling handy — and want to save money — you can also fix your own device with repair guides and parts from iFixit.