Purdue offers laptop purchase program with on-campus support
|
Purdue University is helping make this decision easier by offering three computers that are not only available at lower prices, but also offer configurations and services that make it easier to begin work on campus. This includes special software and settings for laptops, as well as services such as repairs, loaner computers, and theft protection, all provided through a program called the Purdue University Mobile Learning Initiative.
Byron Reed, director of learning spaces for Information Technology at Purdue, says the Mobile Learning Initiative offers exclusive advantages.
"The bottom line is that this service offers top-quality service and support," Reed says. "The Purdue Mobile Learning Initiative offers on-campus repairs and a four-year warranty. You won't find a standard agreement like this from any other vendor."
Although the program is geared toward students, Purdue faculty and staff also are eligible to purchase the computers. Purdue's Mobile Learning Initiative is supported through agreements with CDW Government (CDW-G), Apple Computer, Absolute Software and Advanced Microelectronics (AME), which is based in Vincennes, Ind.
Julie Smith, CDW-G director of higher education, says the Purdue program is unusual among large universities.
"Purdue University is a trailblazer — one of the few large public higher education institutions to implement a one-to-one computing program on campus with the goal of providing anytime, anywhere computing to its students and faculty," Smith says. "We are proud to be a part of this initiative, along with our partners at HP, AME and Absolute Software."
Reed suggests that students discuss which computer to buy with their departmental academic adviser.
"Your adviser or contact person in the department can tell you what software you are likely to use and if one of the models is recommended for people in your major," he says. "Beyond that, it's really simply a choice of which computer you are most comfortable using. The three laptops currently in the program are different enough that one of them should work for just about everyone."
Two HP computers are part of the program, the HP Compaq nc6120 Notebook PC and the HP Compaq tc4200 Tablet PC.
The HP Compaq nc6320 Notebook PC with the included service and peripheral items would retail for $2,375.13. The price through the Purdue Mobile Learning Initiative program is $1,556.18, a savings of 34.5 percent.
The HP Compaq tc4200 Tablet PC with the included service and peripheral items would retail for $2,480.13. The price through the Purdue Mobile Learning Initiative program is $1,940.14, a savings of 22 percent.
The purchase of one of the HP laptop computers includes:
• A four-year hardware warranty.
• A comprehensive insurance policy, including accidental damage and theft protection.
• On-campus technical support and repair, and a loaner program for computers that can't be quickly fixed.
• Purdue-ready software configuration, which includes Microsoft Office, virus protection, automatic updates and wireless networking.
• Antivirus software and secure file transfer software.
• Microsoft Outlook e-mail program preconfigured for Purdue's campus network.
• One-click access to Purdue's Airlink wireless network.
Reed says that laptop theft is a common concern of students and their parents and, to address this, the HP computers include a security and tracking application designed by Absolute Software.
"These laptops are equipped with software that can help track down a stolen or lost computer," he says. "Once a computer is reported as missing or stolen, if it is connected to the Internet, it will report its location every 15 minutes. Absolute Software then will work with local law enforcement to recover the stolen computer."
Students, faculty and staff may purchase the HP computers at prenegotiated special rates from a Web site or by directly calling Purdue's service provider, CDW-G, toll-free at (888) 474-4239. By calling the toll-free number, students, parents, faculty or staff may discuss any questions about the purchase with an account representative.
The Apple computer selected for the program is the 13-inch MacBook 2GHz Intel Core Duo. The Apple laptop with the included service and peripheral items would retail for $1,822.90. The price through the Purdue Mobile Learning Initiative program is $1,647.90, which is a savings of 9 percent. This computer includes:
• A memory upgrade to 1GB and a larger 80GB hard drive.
• Mac OS X Tiger.
• Apple software, including iPhoto, iWeb, iMovie, iDVD and GarageBand.
• A four-year warranty on the hardware through the AppleCare Protection Plan.
• On-campus service and technical support.
• Wireless networking including AirPort and Bluetooth.
• An infrared Apple Remote and built-in iSight camera.
Unlike the HP computers, however, the Apple computer comes with Apple's standard Macintosh configuration instead of the custom Purdue configuration and does not offer accidental damage or theft protection. However, by purchasing the Apple computer through the Purdue program, any necessary repairs are done on-campus, saving the user the expense and inconvenience of shipping the computer to a repair center.
Each of the laptop models can be viewed at the ITaP Shopping Off-line showroom, which is located on the ground floor of Stewart Center. The laptops are delivered in about 10 days.
"We anticipate high demand at the beginning of the semester, so users should allow a few extra days to receive their computers," Reed says.
More information about the laptop computers and the Mobile Learning Initiative is available online.
Writer: Steve Tally, (765) 494-9809, tally@purdue.edu
Sources: Byron Reed, (765) 496-6496, reedb@purdue.edu
Julie Smith: contact Janice Hazen of O'Keefe & Company at (770) 938-4753, jhazen@okco.com
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
PHOTO CAPTION:Purdue student Christa Reed considers a new laptop computer at the campus information technology showroom. In addition to discounted prices, Purdue students, faculty and staff also can now get four-year technical support and service when they purchase university-recommended machines. Reed, a sophomore health sciences major from Lafayette, Ind., says the enhanced support and service is important to students. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2006/ITaP-offlineshop.jpg
To the News Service home page