• What kind of computer does Greenville's voluntary program offer?
• Are there any configuration options?
• Should I buy an Apple or a Dell?
• What are the similarities and differences between the Dell and Apple programs?
• When I go to order one of these computers from the order page I notice options to purchase printers, monitors, docking stations, etc. Are these peripheral items supported by the campus Help Desk?
• Is the cost of the laptop covered in my tuition or fees?
• Is the price a discounted price?
• I just received a flyer from Dell about a laptop for under $1000, what is the difference between this one and the ones offered through Greenville College's laptop program?
• Is financing available for the laptops offered in the program?
• How soon after I order it online will I receive the laptop?
• Will this computer still be good in four years?
• How long will the battery operate on a full charge?
• Why doesn't the standard configuration include a floppy disk drive?
• Am I purchasing this laptop through Greenville College?
• Does the price include insurance?
• What software is included in the package?
• If my Dell Latitude breaks down, will the college fix it? How much do I have to pay to have it fixed?

• If my Mac notebook breaks down, will the college fix it? How much do I have to pay to have it fixed?

• Can I buy a different computer than the ones offered through the laptop program?
• Why did you select the Latitude model instead of the less expensive Inspiron model?
• How do I know if a laptop is a consumer grade or a commercial grade machine?
• What does the laptop computer cost me?
• How will repairs be handled?
• Can I install my own software?
• What's the best way to carry my laptop around?
• How late can I decide that I want to participate in the Laptop Program?
• Are there other colleges and universities out there using the Dell Latitude?
• Who can I call if I have more questions?

Q: What kind of computer does Greenville's voluntary program offer?
A: Our institution is a member of the Dell University Program, and beginning during the 2008-09 school year we will be offering Mac notebooks through Apple's On-Campus Program.  Both programs provide students quality computers that are guaranteed to work on our wireless network at a great discount price.

One of the great benefits of joining the voluntary program is receiving technical support at our Help Desk on campus.  These are the only student computers supported by the institution's Help Desk personnel. Being a small campus, Greenville College does not provide a full-service computer repair shop for students.  Students not participating in the voluntary program must search out assistance from their personal computer manufacturer or local repair centers.  

For the 2008-2009 school year we are offering two different Dell Latitude models - the D630 and D830. In addition, we will be offering two different Mac laptops- the MacBook and the MacBook Pro. The "Standard" editions of each program will meet most students' needs.  If you are intereted in graphics, video editing, sound recording, or gaming you might consider the "Media" editions. Several configuration options are available. The configurations are as follows:

Q: Are there any configuration options?
A: Yes, many of the components can be customized. This includes:  hard drive size,  memory, and several other items. Please visit the Dell Order Page or the Apple Order Page to view all options.

Q: Should I buy an Apple or a Dell?
A: We recommend selecting what you are comfortable with.  Common uses of computers on campus include writing papers, creating media-based presentations, working with spreadsheets, researching on the internet, and email.  Either platform provides this functionality so if you prefer one over the other go with your preferred system.  Both are supported on campus though there are distinct differences in the programs.  Continue reading the FAQ to learn about these differences.

Q: What are the similarities and differences between the Dell and Apple programs?
A: While it is true we offer an Apple program, there are some distinct differences in the support we can offer.  The chart below highlights key elements of the programs:

Q: When I go to order one of these computers from the order page I notice options to purchase printers, monitors, docking stations, etc. Are these peripheral items supported by the campus Help Desk?
A: No. Our campus Help Desk only supports the specified computers and software that comes installed on the laptop. You will need to contact the original manufacturer for assistance with any peripheral item purchased via our Dell  or Apple order page.

Q: Is the cost of the laptop covered in my tuition or fees?
A: No. You will need to purchase the laptop from Dell or Apple via our web site. The pricing is a special price structure that we have worked out with our vendors for Greenville College students and is only available online.

For Apple notebooks, contact the number on the order page if you prefer to purchase by phone.  For Dell systems, there is a phone number and Member ID on the order page which will be needed for purchasing via phone instead of online. Please provide the Member ID to ensure you receive the Dell computer system with our campus image and price discount. 

Q: Is the price a discounted price?
A: Yes. The price you pay for the  laptop when purchased through our web site is a special discounted price that we have negotiated specifically for our students. Discounts are below the generally advertised Dell and Apple home or business prices.

Q: I just received a flyer from Dell about a laptop for under $1000, what is the difference between this one and the ones offered through Greenville College's laptop program?
A: Be sure to check the fine print when looking at these advertisements from Dell or other vendors. These low-priced systems often offer the minimum in processing power, memory, hard drive space and configuration options. Other key things to look for include: the term of the warranty, whether any type of accidental coverage like CompleteCare is offered, whether the cost includes wireless capabilities, software included in the price, and the operating system that comes installed Generally, the lower price is possible because vendors will use cheaper parts which can then be susceptible to failure or compatibility issues.  For example, many of the low-dollar laptops have had problems connecting to our campus wireless network, or maintaining connections due to the quality and behavior of the wireless card used by the manufacturer.

Q: Is financing available for the laptops offered in the program?
A: Unfortunately, Apple does not finance computer purchases.  If you decide to go with the Dell  laptop, however, financing is available through Dell Computers. The interest rate is dependent on your credit rating and will be anywhere from 12.99% up. If you are interested in financing your purchase you should contact Dell Computers at 1-866-257-4711 to speak to a sales representative and be sure to provide the Member ID for the Greenville College Dell University Program. Our member ID is US33108695.

Q: How soon after I order it online will I receive the laptop?
A: If you decide to go with a Mac, you should receive the system in about 3-5 days.  They also offer Next Day shipping for an additional cost.  Most Dell laptops arrive within two weeks.  Each vendor provides estimated ship dates when ordering as well as shipment tracking.

Q: Will this computer still be good in four years?
A: Yes, although none of us can predict what will happen with technology in the next 4 years, we believe these computers will continue to be quite functional in 4 years. One of the reasons that we have not chosen a bottom-end system is so that it will still have enough computing power to do all you will need it to do throughout your 4 years in college and withstand the rigors of college life.

Q: How long will the battery operate on a full charge?
A: Battery life is particularly important to a college student. The battery pack in our standard configurations are Lithium-ion batteries as opposed to the  Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries found in less expensive computers. These batteries do not exhibit the same "memory" problem that the less expensive Ni-MH batteries do.

Battery life can vary due to age, care, and computer usage.  On a full charge you can reasonably expect to get more than a couple hours of use unless you are also running the CD-ROM drive or DVD bay (playing a CD or DVD) at the same time.  To help preserve the life of your battery we suggest using it from time to time. If you leave it in your computer but run the system with your AC power adapter you will risk draining the battery. Please note that all Dell and Apple batteries only have a 1 year warranty even though the laptop is covered for four years.

Q: Why doesn't the standard configuration include a floppy disk drive?
A: The floppy disk drive is being phased out by many manufacturers throughout the computer industry. To address the need of students to have personal storage space for their files, we offer 50MB of secure, personal, regularly backed up storage space on our campus network. After a student logs in, the network storage is accessible via any computer on our network. You may also want to look into the USB flash storage options since drives are reasonable in price, easy to transport, and more reliable than floppy disks.

Q: Am I purchasing this laptop through Greenville College?
A: No. You are purchasing the laptop directly from Dell or Apple. The price you are getting, however, is a price that is only available to students of Greenville College. This means if you leave or transfer from Greenville College you own the computer and can take it with you and still have full warranty through the manufacturer.

Q: Does the price include insurance?
A: Apple does not provide insurace for accidental damage, however, Dell does offer a program called CompleteCare. Our standard price for the Dell notebook computers includes 4 years of CompleteCare coverage. With CompleteCare you are covered during the length of your 4 year Dell warranty for accidental damages as well as standard warranty repair. This CompleteCare package does not cover theft, loss, fire or intentional damage but would cover such things as dropping your laptop, spilling a beverage on the computer, stepping on it or dropping objects on your system. Typical repair costs for these types of situations could cost you $500 or more. You can choose to forgo the CompleteCare coverage if you wish, but it is a great protection option for your computer investment. You can also talk to your insurance agent about coverage for your computer and other personal possessions while living in campus housing. If you live off campus, you might consider rental insurance to protect your investment.

Q: What software is included in the package?
A: The configurations from each vendor are very basic.  The Dell laptops are equipped with the Windows Vista Business operating system, antivirus software, some spyware protection tools, and software for burning cds and dvds depending on the type of media bay you purchase. Mac laptops come equipped with Mac OS X  10.5 Leopard and iLife 08.   

In order to provide you the most cost-effective options, we have not included the Microsoft Office Suite in the default order configurations from Dell and Apple.  Greenville College's software vendor, ScholarBuys , has a program that allows students to purchase the software suite for PC or Mac at a greatly reduced price. 

Many students have also chosen to use OpenOffice, an open source productivity suite much like Microsoft Office that is free to download and use.  OpenOffice is compatible with MS Office in that you can open files originally created in MS Office and vice versa.  Please note, however, OpenOffice is not supported by the Help Desk.  To learn more about OpenOffice, please visit www.openoffice.org . 

Q: If my Dell Latitude breaks down, will the college fix it? How much do I have to pay to have it fixed?
A: If you have any problems with your Dell Latitude computer purchased through our web site, our Help Desk will repair it for you. When you purchase the laptop from Dell you get a 4 year warranty (one year warranty on batteries). Any repair required during the first four years due to equipment failure or defect will be covered by that warranty. Any damage that is determined to be the result of misuse or abuse of the laptop will not be covered by the basic warranty or CompleteCare. Only students with the CompleteCare coverage get free repairs for accidental damage. If you bring a laptop to us for repair and we determine (based on Dell's guidelines) that it is not covered under warranty or CompleteCare, we will notify you of the approximate cost of the repair before it is performed. Part costs must be paid at time of pickup.

Q: If my Mac notebook breaks down, will the college fix it? How much do I have to pay to have it fixed?
A: The Apple On-Campus program is a little bit different than the  Dell University Program.  While  our Help Desk will provide technical  support for students with the Mac systems, most repairs will have to be done by Apple.  Our staff will assist students in coordinating repairs with the company. It is important to understand that Apple does not offer an accidental damage coverage program like Dell's CompleteCare.  Apple's warranty will only cover defects and equipment failure for the first four years of ownership.

Q: Can I buy a different computer than the ones offered through the laptop program?
A: Yes, the laptop program is optional and you are free to buy a different model from any other vendor, however, we can make no guarantee that it will work with our network nor will we be able to provide any hardware or software support for it on campus.

Q: Why did you select the Latitude model instead of the less expensive Inspiron model?
A: When we were in the process of designing our voluntary laptop program we felt it was very important to provide a means of completing warranty repairs on campus. Through Dell's University Program we are able provide this service to students as an authorized Dell Warranty Center with certified technicians. Dell's specialized program only allows us to become certified and perform repairs on the Latitude series.

We were also concerned about the grade of computer that would be used in our voluntary program. The Inspiron is a consumer grade machine, whereas the Latitude is a commercial grade machine. Consumer grade machines are designed as stand-alone systems for home use; they are not designed or certified to work in a networked environment. In addition, consumer grade machines are not built as ruggedly as commercial grade machines. It is important to us that you have a laptop computer that will work reliably in our network environment and that will withstand the rigors of academic life. Additionally, consumer grade machines change system components often which would prevent us from creating a standard laptop image for our program. This means a system bought in June may have different drivers and system architecture than a computer bought even a week later. This further delays repairs and warranty replacements if our technicians are working on several different configurations rather and a standard set of components, drivers and parts.

Q: How do I know if a laptop is a consumer grade or a commercial grade machine?
A: Most of the systems offered in retail outlets and 'computer shopper' type magazines are consumer grade machines. These laptops are less expensive (biggest determinant in most home purchases), typically have higher performance specs, and generally don't have the same quality parts as the commercial grade machines. The most common consumer grade laptops are; iSeries (IBM), Presario (Compaq), Inspiron (Dell), Satellite (Toshiba), and Pavilion (HP). A general rule of thumb is, if it's the least expensive model you can find, it is probably a consumer grade machine.

Having a commercial grade laptop computer is very important in the academic environment for a number of reasons. Commercial grade laptops are generally more rugged. College students are notorious for the rough treatment they give their computers. Commercial grade laptops are made with higher quality parts and, therefore, tend to have less failure or repair problems. Commercial grade laptops are designed to work optimally in a large networked environment, consumer grade laptops are designed to work optimally in a small home network. Since the network is an integral element of virtually all computing on campus, it is important to have a computer that was designed and certified for this environment.

Q: What does the laptop computer cost me?
A: The Dell Latitude D630 is available starting at $1261, and the D830 starts out at $1599. Both of these models can be upgraded as you see fit, however the base configuration for each computer is set at a level that will be able to handle your school related work for the next four years. The prices you see on the order page do not include tax or shipping.  Those will be additional costs. Don't forget the software!  If you choose to purchase the Microsoft Office Suite through our school's vendor partner, ScholarBuys, it will be an additional $75.

The beginning price for the MacBook is $1272, and the MacBook Pro has an initial price point of $2038.  Both systems can be upgraded and cost will be reflected on the order page as you customize your new laptop.  Pricing on the order page will not include tax. Mac orders qualify for free shipping unless you choose Next Day.  If you choose to purchase the Microsoft Office Suite through our school's vendor partner, ScholarBuys, it will be an additional $75.

Q: How will repairs be handled?
A: Greenville College is setup as an authorized Dell warranty repair center for the Latitude models. Our Help Desk technicians will handle any repair issues that you might have while you are on campus. We keep a small inventory of parts on site that are used to quickly complete repairs. Items that are not in stock on-site are usually received within 2 days from Dell and most repairs are completed the day the part arrives.

Details of the Apple On-Campus Program are still being finalized.  Most repairs will have to be completed by Apple and our staff will work with the student to coordinate arrangements.  We are looking into the possibility of stocking a small inventory of items such as batteries and power adapters. 

Q: Can I install my own software?
A: Yes. We suggest you exercise caution in this area, though, so you don't load something that interferes with the software we provide (Make sure you have a legal license for any software you install). If something goes wrong, bring the machine to the campus Help Desk where, as a last resort, we will reinstall the software image just as you received it from the computer manufacturer. You will then have to reinstall any other software yourself.

Q: What's the best way to carry my laptop around?
A: You can purchase a carrying case from Dell and Apple, or you can purchase one from most office supply stores. Many Greenville students use backpacks to carry their books and their computer. If you choose to go this way, be sure to select one that has room for the computer and will give it some protection. The college bookstore has a wide variety of these. You can also easily carry the computer in your hand.

Q: How late can I decide that I want to participate in the Laptop Program?
A: As long as Dell and Apple has our models available for purchase through our web site, you can decide to join the program. We recommend, however, that you order the laptop at least two weeks before classes start so that you stand a reasonable chance of getting the system before the beginning of the semester.

Q: Are there other colleges and universities out there using the Dell Latitude?
A: Yes. In fact, as we researched which system and model to make available to students we looked at various types of schools and their laptop programs. We discovered that many institutions had selected the Dell Latitude series due to the same reasons we stated in the FAQ about why we selected this model. These schools include but are not limited to: Michigan School of Business, Dartmouth, Rice, MIT, Virginia, Notre Dame, University of Texas at Arlington, James Madison, Vermont, Yale, Virginia Commonwealth, San Francisco, Columbia, George Washington, Emory, Central Florida, Minnesota State, North Dakota State, Smith College, Purdue, Davidson, Buffalo State, Boston University and University of California Santa Barbara.