TechMarkit has launched its first laptop library to provide affordable computers and other refurbished technology equipment in South Africa. The company is excited to announce the launch of its new Laptops Library Programme aimed to provide anyone who requires the use of a laptop temporarily, with free access to laptops subject to a nominal refundable deposit.
“It’s certainly not a money-making operation. In fact if anything, we will probably lose money,” said TechMarkit CEO David Hirsch. “I’m sure out of every 20 or so we lend out, one won’t come back.
“But the business is about trying to empower South Africans to get computers and to get old computers out of storage. It’s a notional amount [for computer borrowers]. Domestic workers borrow the laptops to help their kids with homework, for instance,” he said.
TechMarkit was founded by Hirch in 2021. Speaking to TechCentral, Hirsch said there was a huge gap in the market for retail propositions offering refurbishment tech gear to South African consumers.
The company works with all major technology brands, including Dell, Lenovo and Apple.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Laptop library is available to anyone, it doesn’t matter their situation.
The library works similarly to the regular library where you can borrow a book but in this case a laptop, customers can borrow a laptop for a week. You can visit TechMarkit’s Rosebank Mall store. A consumer pays an R500 refundable deposit with the completion of the lending form.
On the return of the laptop to the store on the stipulated date, the R500 deposit is refunded.
“We believe education is a fundamental right,” said Hirsch. “Every student deserves the opportunity to access technology that will support their learning and enable them to succeed. The laptop library is our way of contributing to the community and supporting students who are facing financial difficulties – or anyone who is need of access to a laptop for whatever reason.”
The laptop comes preloaded with Microsoft Windows or Google’s ChromOS and Microsoft Office.