DCU has joined with AIB to give students the opportunity to purchase a DCU SmartBook laptop. The SmartBook is a HP Business laptop designed for DCU students. DCU partnered with Typetec to create the laptop which is specially equipped with the necessary software and hardware students will need during their time in university. AIB are providing a special variable rate loan scheme specifically for students who want to buy the laptop.
The laptop costs €949 or €44 a month. A HP notebook is also available for €749 or €35 a month. The SmartBook comes equipped with Windows 7 and Office 2010. The laptops are unrestricted so they can be used outside of the DCU campus. They are only available to buy online.
A support desk in DCU will manage repairs of the laptops. If students need a laptop while their own is being repaired they can use the DCU SmartBook Loan Replacement Scheme free of charge. This service is only available to students with the SmartBook and is located on the ground floor of the DCU library. Students with other laptops can go to ISS for advice.
All SmartBooks come with a three-year next business day warranty. This means that if a piece of hardware is faulty a replacement will be supplied and fitted within 48 hours. If there is a problem with software the entire software suite will be reinstalled without affecting any work on the laptop.
This differs from most retail stores that offer a one-year collect and return warranty. In this instance the laptop must be collected from you, fixed and returned which can take five to seven working days. There is no replacement policy and DCU lecturers do not accept IT problems as an excuse for late assignments.
There will be a one-day training course for those who purchase the laptop. This will include information on support structures, eLearning applications, where to go for assistance and laptop care.
Aisling Kett is our Deputy News Editor
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