Rapid IT at BETT 2026: Helping Schools Make Their IT Budgets Go Further
BETT is the world’s leading EdTech exhibition, bringing together education professionals and tech experts from across the UK and beyond. From the 21st–23rd of January, Rapid IT will be exhibiting at BETT to talk about one thing schools care deeply about right now: getting reliable technology into classrooms without overstretching budgets.
As classrooms grow bigger, tech requirements for schools grow just as large on limited funding. For many schools, colleges and MAT’s, that means finding smarter ways to upgrade IT without relying solely on expensive brand-new devices.
Making Refurbished IT Work for Education
Refurbished IT hardware has become a practical and proven solution for schools looking to stretch budgets further. High quality refurbished laptops and desktops can deliver the performance students and teachers need at a fraction of the cost of new equipment.
At Rapid IT, every refurbished device supplied to schools is professionally tested, cleaned, and prepared to be classroom ready. This allows schools to:
• Equip more pupils with reliable devices
• Replace ageing equipment without eating up the allocated budget
• Upgrade safely following the end of Windows 10 support
• Maintain consistent specs across classrooms and year groups
With our quality control, refurbished IT should never feel like a compromise. For many schools, it is the only realistic way to keep up with digital learning demands.
Supporting Education After Windows 10 End-Of-Life
Since Microsoft ended standard support for Windows 10, many schools have been left in a tricky position. Large numbers of classroom devices are still in daily use, but no longer fully supported, putting pressure on IT budgets that have already been stretched far enough.
Some schools have chosen to extend Windows 10 support through Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU), currently around £7 per device, but this is only a short-term fix. Over the limited three-year extension period, those costs quickly add up, especially when applied across entire year groups or multiple sites, without solving the underlying issue of ageing hardware.
Refurbished Windows 11-compatible laptops and desktops offer a more sustainable way forward. Instead of spending repeatedly on temporary licences, schools can replace older devices with reliable, classroom-ready equipment at a much lower cost than buying new. It’s a practical option that reduces risk, avoids disruption, and helps schools move forward with confidence rather than delaying the inevitable.
Responsible IT Recycling for Schools
Alongside supplying refurbished devices, Rapid IT also supports schools with sustainable IT recycling. When equipment can no longer be reused, it is processed with a reuse-first mindset and a zero-to-landfill approach wherever possible.
Recycling old IT responsibly helps schools:
• Free up storage and learning space
• Reduce environmental impact
• Ensure old devices are handled securely
• Support sustainability goals that have become increasingly expected within education
For many schools, recycling is an essential part of any IT refresh project.
A Practical Approach to Education IT
BETT is an opportunity to have honest conversations about what schools actually need from their IT.
Rapid IT’s focus is on helping schools find practical solutions that balance cost, performance, and sustainability. Whether that means supplying refurbished laptops in bulk, helping manage an upgrade cycle, or responsibly recycling outdated equipment, the goal is simple: make tech go further for education budgets.
We’re looking forward to being part of the conversation at BETT 2026 and supporting schools in making smarter, more sustainable IT decisions.
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