Monitors

Q: Why do monitors require DP, DVI, HDMI, mini DisplayPort, or USB-C inputs?
A: We do not have VGA adapters or cables.

Q: Why do monitors require stands?
A: We do not have spare stands and they are rather expensive to replace.

Laptops
Q: Why do you install Neverware CloudReady?
A: CloudReady is lightweight and familiar interface that gets the job done for most people. Unlike Microsoft Windows, the license is free for home users and works across many different hardware sets we have tested. Think of CloudReady as a tool that turns desktops and laptops to something similar to ChromeBooks.

Q: What do I need in order to use CloudReady?
A: You will need internet access and a Google account to sign in.

Q: I want to donate a laptop. I'm concerned that someone will steal my data. How will you protect my data?
A1: You should always try to wipe PCs on your own prior to transfer of ownership.
A2: Conventional mechanical hard drives are physically destroyed by degaussing or drilling, or mechanically shredded. SSD drives are wiped via DBAN tool.

Q: What is an SSD retrofit?
A: For donated laptops which have a mechanical drive, we remove them and install a small Solid State Drive (SSD) which is faster and have a higher mean time between failures rating due to less moving parts, all of which makes them more kid friendly. CloudReady needs very little space, so high-performance and low-capacity SSDs work great!

Q: Do you offer warranties on laptops?
A: No, we are not a store and we do not sell equipment. We subject all retrofit/rebuilt laptops to a small array of function tests.

Q: Do you offer support?
A: We can offer some best-effort support, but we're not really setup for that. We can point you to some pretty good guides, though.

Q: What kind of burn-in testing do you do?
A: We make sure wireless networking works (2.4G, 5G if available), start a web meeting to make sure webcam works, and play some high-definition videos online to make sure laptops do not overheat under stress.

Q: Do you accept both Macs and PCs?
A: Yes

Q: Do you accept desktops?
A: They are not as popular but we do accept them.

General

Q: Where are you located?
A: We work in a 100% distributed manner. Once you fill out an appropriate form, a volunteer will connect with you for either pickup or drop off.

Q: Do you ask anything in return?
A: If we deploy a monitor or laptop to you, we may ask for a photo of the recipient so the person(s) who gifted the equipment can get some warm fuzzies and be encouraged to share more or tell their friends.

Q: Can you provide me a receipt?
A: RYT began as a grassroots effort and we are beginning to formalize the operation. In the meantime, we can channel your donation through a partner school PTA with 501(c)(3) status for a donation receipt.