The RCI program at TechSoup offers high-quality refurbished computers and other hardware solutions.

Each computer can perform basic tasks such as creating documents, web browsing, and email. Mid- and high-tier computers include more powerful processors and greater storage capacity, allowing for greater multitasking and running more resource-intensive applications. For more information on the different tiers of computers in the RCI program, see the list of all Windows computers.

Please note that not all systems have the same software and hardware configuration or system restore options. Review individual product pages to see the specifications of each product.

As more products become available from an expanding number of donor and refurbisher partners, we expect to regularly enhance our basic computer configurations.

Our refurbished machines are built to the high-quality specifications of corporations and designed for office applications. Their central processing units (CPUs) are intended to be more durable than those manufactured for home use. Our extensive research of such equipment indicates that these refurbished systems usually last three to five years and experience fewer problems and failures than their consumer-oriented counterparts.

Refurbishers in the RCI program must stand behind their products and adhere to strict quality standards, which include maintaining a system failure rate comparable to that of computer industry leaders — no more than 4 percent. All products are guaranteed for 90 days to be clean, free of major defects, and in working order. Computers are cleaned inside and out, missing and broken parts are replaced, and each product is rigorously tested for problems.

As with many refurbished computer programs, RCI categorizes equipment based on its condition:

• Condition A: The product meets the highest functional and cosmetic standards of refurbished equipment.
• Condition B: The product may have cosmetic defects that do not affect its operability. Typical cosmetic defects might include wear on keyboards and hand-rest areas, minor screen blemishes, and scratches and nicks on the outer case.

All refurbished equipment available through TechSoup is Condition A unless Condition B is specified in the product name.

To help organizations choose the products that best fit their needs, each refurbished computer is organized into one of three categories: low-tier, mid-tier, or high-tier.

RCI program administrative fees includes all shipping, and handling. Sales tax may apply separately.

Read more about administrative fees in the TechSoup Product Donation FAQ.

Read these examples of how nonprofit organizations have made use of computers received through the RCI program:

• One Economy's Digital Connector program brings digital technology into low-income homes and communities.
• The Early Childhood Mental Health Program offers mental health services to children from birth to 6 years old and their families.
• Housing Hope provides housing and related services for low-income families.

TechSoup considers RCI a GreenTech program because it puts useful technology in the hands of nonprofit organizations and public libraries, saving it from an early disposal. To learn more about technology choices that can help reduce our overall impact on the environment, see TechSoup's GreenTech Initiative page.

If you request an RCI system, you'll need to accept the Registered Refurbisher Program Eligible Recipient Agreement. Microsoft donated its software for RCI computers through its Registered Refurbisher Program, and the Eligible Recipient Agreement is a statement that the computer recipient meets Microsoft's eligibility criteria for this program and will use the software only as it was intended.

The agreement is provided electronically, and each recipient organization must accept it when first starting each computer. Note that TechSoup restricts this product to organizations that qualify as eligible recipients.

If eligible, your organization may receive an unlimited number of products within a fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). However, each request may include no more than 10 of any individual product requested.

If you need more than 10 products at the same time, you can make special arrangements with RCI staff, subject to inventory availability. On weekdays (excluding holidays), call (800) 659-3579, option 2; email rci@techsoup.org; or fax (415) 633-9444.

If your organization has multiple locations, each location should be registered individually with its own account and donation history. If your branch or affiliate has its own Employer Identification Number (EIN), you should register using that number. If all branches share the parent organization's EIN, use that number when registering your location. There's no limit to the number of affiliates or locations for each organization.

Please note that we may require additional information from you to determine branch or satellite eligibility.

Products requested through the RCI program will be shipped via Federal Express within 10 business days after your request is approved. Since we have more than one refurbisher partner, your products may be sent from different locations and arrive at different times.

Please note that we cannot ship to post office boxes. If your organization's shipping address is a post office box or is different from its physical location, your request will be shipped to the organization's address.

For detailed fulfillment information, select RCI from the Donor Partner Fulfillment section of the Installation and Licensing page.

If the products you receive are not exactly what you requested, call TechSoup Client Services at (800) 659-3579, option 2, within 90 days of receiving the product. We will investigate the situation and work to expedite a product exchange.

If you received a product you did not request, or the product you received does not meet the minimum specifications cited on the TechSoup website, we will work with our refurbishing partners to arrange for the item to be returned to their facilities at no cost to you and for the correct item to be shipped to you.

If the equipment you received is missing any parts or components that should have been included with the original shipment, we will work with our refurbishing partner to send you the missing items.

Please note that to maintain our low administrative fees, we cannot accept product returns for any reason other than those cited above.

You can return nonfunctional, damaged, or incorrectly shipped products within 90 days of the date of delivery for a replacement or refund at no additional charge.

For more information on RCI product warranties and returns, see RCI Returns.

When RCI computers finally reach the end of their useful life or become obsolete, you have a no-cost, secure, and environmentally safe solution to dispose of them. All RCI computers distributed after January 2009 have a Recycle Me Free! sticker that makes them eligible for free recycling services and pickup, provided at no additional charge by each of our refurbishing partners.

To request TakeBack, fill out a request form at one of the following two TakeBack Program web pages, depending on which sticker is on your machine: Redemtech or InterConnection.