Computer Leasing
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why should I lease rather than purchase a computer?
- Why should I subscribe to the fee-based support program?
- How much does it cost to lease a computer?
- How much is the fee-based support program?
- How do I pay for my computer?
- What kind of computer do I get under the leasing program?
- Am I allowed to add devices (Jazz drive, Zip drives, etc.) to the leased computers?
- Can I have memory added or add it myself?
- Can I lease a different computer rather than the standard bundle?
- Can I get a laptop?
- Can I lease a Macintosh computer or get fee-based service for a Macintosh?
- What is covered under the leasing program?
- What is covered under the optional fee-based support?
- Since fee-based support is meant to provide data and operating system protection, what happens if my hard drive crashes or my operating system gets corrupted and I haven't subscribed to fee-based support?
- Is it possible to lease a computer and not subscribe to the fee-based support?
- If I opt not to have the fee-based support at the beginning of the lease, can I subscribe to it later?
- Can I get the fee-based support without leasing a computer?
- Can I get fee-based support if I buy a computer identical to the standard desktop computer bundle?
- What commitments are involved with the program?
- What if I want to upgrade my computer before the end of the leasing period?
- Can I specify software to be added to the computers before they are delivered?
- Who sets up the computers?
- Will you join my computer to my domain?
- If something goes wrong with the computer, whom do I contact?
- If I have a hardware failure, how long do I wait until the equipment is replaced?
- Will the NSIT Support Line be able to help us with our software questions as well as helping with possible computer problems?
- What if a computer or piece of equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged?
- What happens to the computers at the end of the lease?
- May I purchase my computer at the end of the lease?
Why should I lease rather than purchase a computer?
There are several benefits to leasing under the Leasing program. The Leasing program is designed to minimize downtime and the accompanying loss of productivity due to computer problems. Should hardware problems occur (a power supply in the unit fails, for example), the defective unit is simply replaced with a new unit, the hard drive is pulled from the old computer and inserted into the new, and you are quickly able to return to work. Furthermore, all leased computers are eligible or the optional fee-for-service program.
Why should I subscribe to the fee-based support program?
If the department subscribes to the optional fee-based support program, all data on each computer is backed up to central servers nightly. Should a problem develop with the hard drive or the operating system, the backup can be used to restore the your drive. While this recovery takes place (a process that may take a few hours, depending on the amount of data), an interim hard drive with the University's productivity software (Microsoft Office, NSIT Connectivity Package) can be installed to allow you to continue to work. Also, computers covered by fee-based support are eligible for free data transfer to newly leased computers when the lease on old equipment expires. Future services will include the ability to update computers automatically with the latest patches, bios updates, etc. via the network.
How much does it cost to lease a computer?
The computers are leased for $65 per month per computer for a notebook bundle, $50 per month per computer for Flat Panel Bundle, and $75 per month for the Power Mac G5.
How much is the fee-based support program?
The optional fee-based support can be purchased for $40 per month per computer.
PC Leasing will bill the appropriate departmental account on an annual basis.
What kind of computer do I get under the leasing program?
You will receive a standard desktop computer bundle consisting of a Dell Optiplex PC with a current Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo Processor E8400 (3.0GHz, 6M, 1333MHz FSB),4GB of RAM, hard drive (currently 250 gigabytes), integrated Gigabit BaseT Ethernet, and speakers; as for the display, you receive a 22" viewable Flat Panel display. Each computer comes loaded with the following site-licensed software: Microsoft Windows XP with SP3 3, Microsoft Office 2007, NSIT Connectivity Package (FireFox, SSH Client, etc.), TSM (Tivoli Storage Manager), Tivoli LCF client, McAfee Antivirus, and Hummingbird Host Explorer 6.1.
Am I allowed to add devices (Jazz drive, Zip drives, etc.) to the leased computers?
Any device which you may want to add to a leased computer must be external. The standard, leased bundle cannot be modified internally due to the potential need to swap out a defective computer for a new.
Can I have memory added or add it myself?
No. The standard, leased bundle cannot be modified internally due to the potential need to swap out a defective computer for a new.
Can I lease a different computer rather than the standard bundle?
No. Only the standard bundle is available under the leasing program. If a department has a need for a non-standard computer, this equipment can be purchased, but not leased.
Yes. We now offer a Dell Latitude notebook (currently E5500 P4 Mobile 2.0Ghz, 4GB of ram, 250 Gb Hard drive, SWDVD/CDRW combo drive, and Internal Modem, Gigabit ethernet, Dell True Moble Wireless. The
Can I lease a Macintosh computer or get fee-based service for a Macintosh?
Yes, you can now lease a Powermac MacPro with all the same benefits.
What is covered under the leasing program?
All leased computers are covered by PC Leasing's replacement policy: if you experience a hardware problem, the defective equipment is replaced as quickly as possible.
What is covered under the optional fee-based support?
The optional fee-based support provides for a daily backup, restoration of drives that may have corrupted software or operating systems, interim hard drives to allow employees to continue to work during drive restoration, and data transfer from leased computers at the end of their lease to newly-leased computers. Future services will include the ability to provide software and operating system upgrades over the network. Essentially, the leasing program covers hardware issues and the fee-based support provides data and operating system protection.
Since fee-based support is meant to provide data and operating system protection, what happens if my hard drive crashes or my operating system gets corrupted and I haven't subscribed to fee-based support?
Without fee-based support, only hardware issues are covered. The responsibility for data backup then rests with you. In the event of a hard drive failure, PC Leasing would provide a replacement drive with the standard suite of software installed, but with no provisions for data recovery or installation of non-standard applications. In the event of operating system corruption the customer must assume responsibility for reinstalling the system; without fee-based support DPC provides no services addressing this contingency.
Is it possible to lease a computer and not subscribe to the fee-based support?
You can lease a computer without subscribing to the fee-based support. Fee-based support is completely optional and can be subscribed to (or cancelled) on a yearly basis.
If I opt not to have the fee-based support at the beginning of the lease, can I subscribe to it later?
Yes. You can subscribe to fee-based support at the beginning of the first, second, or third year of your lease. It is possible to subscribe at other times, although the department must still pay for that entire year's worth of support (DPC does not prorate the yearly fees).
Can I get the fee-based support without leasing a computer?
The fee-based support program can be extended to Dell Optiplex PC's that are less than one year old and conform to leasing standards (contact the PC Leasing Team for details at (773) 834-4662).
Can I get fee-based support if I buy a computer identical to the standard desktop computer bundle?
Yes. As mentioned above, the fee-based support program is available for newer Optiplex computers. However, the leasing program and fee-based support were designed to work best when both are implemented. We strongly encourage users interested in Fee-Based Support to consider leasing as well.
What commitments are involved with the program?
The department is obligated to pay for the leased equipment for the entire lease period of 3 years. The optional fee-based support can be cancelled or renewed on a yearly basis.
What if I want to upgrade our computers before the end of the leasing period?
A department is free to purchase or lease new equipment at any time during the leasing period. However, as noted above, the department is obligated to continue to pay for the original equipment for the entire 3-year leasing period.
Can I specify software to be added to the computers before they are delivered?
Computers can be loaded with any site-licensed software before the computers are actually deployed to your department. If the software is not site-licensed, it may not be loaded prior to deployment. Software that is not site-licensed must be loaded by the department itself. An exception to this may be made if the department can provide proof that it has sufficient individual licenses for every computer upon which it is to be installed.
PC Leasing technicians will install your new equipment, and modify the necessary settings to ensure network connectivity/access to your printers. The technicians can also remove any old equipment upon request.
Will you join my computer to my domain?
Yes. PC Leasing technicians can add the new computers to your domain, although they will need temporary access to the Domain Administrator account (or an account that has sufficient privileges) to do so. DPC is not responsible, however, for setting up or installing other spects of the domain, such as servers, infrastructure, assigning permissions to users, etc.
If something goes wrong with the computer, whom do I contact?
If you have a question, concern, or problem with your computer, simply contact NSIT Support Line at 834-TECH. The support professionals there will attempt to remedy the situation over the phone or determine if a hardware or low-level software problem is evident.
If I have a hardware failure, how long do I wait until the equipment is replaced?
Once the NSIT Support Line (at 834-TECH) has determined that a problem exists that cannot be fixed over the phone, the PC Leasing team is notified. You are then contacted within an hour to arrange a suitably convenient time for the replacement of the defective unit. If the failure requires a data recovery from the backup server, an interim hard drive loaded with the University's standard productivity software is installed until the recovery is completed (a process that may take several hours, depending on the amount of your data).
Will the NSIT Support Line be able to help us with our software questions as well as helping with possible computer problems?
The technical support staff is trained to assist the university community with any standard site-licensed university software. This includes virtually all of the software included on the standard desktop computer bundle. Additional software may or may not be supported by the University, however.
What if a computer or piece of equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged?
Your department is responsible for loss/damage protection. All equipment needs to be registered with University Risk Management. PC Leasing will provide a list of serial numbers for all equipment to the department. A fee of up to $325 may be levied if all equipment is not returned in working condition at the end of the lease. Additionally, repairs for any damage that voids the manufacturer's warranty (spilling coffee on the computer, for example) must be done at the department's expense.
What happens to the computers at the end of the lease?
All computers and related equipment remain the property of Leasing and will be removed at the end of the lease. You may opt to start a new lease with new equipment.
May I purchase my computer at the end of the lease?
At this time there are no provisions for customers or departments to purchase equipment at the end of the lease.
Last updated: 2/11/09